Something new everyday The most challenging aspect of Sini’s work is that she never really gets anything complete, so that it could be set aside and forgotten. “It was easier as a lecturer. When the course ended, that was that: you could leave everything relating to the course behind. In this job, something new comes along everyday, which in a way is fun, but sometimes feels a bit hard. It’s as if you always have one million things to do.”
Far out - Going abroad Text: Elina Ohra-aho / Photo: Otso Nuotio / Illustration: Heli Koivulahti
Around 100 students leave for student exchange annually from Laurea’s Leppävaara Campus. There are over 118 places to choose from. How to apply, and what problems can you come across with? Sini Setälä, our International Coordinator, answered these questions for us.
Who: Sini Setälä From where: Helsinki Education: MBA and a graduated psychologist What does she do? An International Coordinator at Laurea Leppävaara Sini Setälä, originally from Helsinki, is the head of international activities in Laurea. She is responsible for almost everything that has to do with student exchange. She came to Laurea acting as a lecturer after substituting a maternity leave in Espoo Institute of Hotel, Catering and Cleaning Services. “I thought it would be nice to try teaching. Nowadays, as an acting head of International Coordinator, I don’t teach anymore. It’s a pity, even if I now have more time to focus on my tasks.” Sini states, and adds that her dream job as a child was to be a teacher, at least according to a My Friends – book. An International Affairs team runs in Laurea. Sini obviously is a member of it, but the other members are: Milton Aldrete in charge of internships abroad, Conrad Lyaruu in charge of arriving exchange students, and Inka Kling in charge of students leaving for exchange. Sini is involved in everything, for example seeing that all students get their compensatory credits once they come back.
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On the other hand, it is exactly the same thing that makes Sini enjoy her job, as every day is different from another, and you’re always learning something new. However, the best part is how the students feel about their exchange: “The most rewarding part is when the students go abroad to do their internships or exchange programs, and as they come back you can really tell how much they enjoyed it and grew, and how much the experience has changed them. It’s wonderful to be involved when someone get’s an experience like that!” Sini explains with a smile on her face.
How to apply? The period for applications starts January 9th, and continues until February 18th. You need to fill out an application to which you are required to choose three destinations where you would like to go. It is very important that you think and choose carefully what the best place for you would be, and where you could get the best and most useful studies from. It is also good to think about the language benefits you may gain from there. In rare cases the student may not get to go abroad after all, even if they wanted to. Sini explains that sometimes she has had to decline the exchange period, as some students have had the false assumption of taking a vacation. It is very easy to get excited about the lovely beaches and all the fun, but it is important to remember that the expected amount of credits students should complete yearly is around 60, even with the exchange. With this said, this is about the only obstacle to a period abroad. Laurea’s Leppävaara-campus has 118 partner schools around the world. Students may apply to other campuses’ partner schools as well. Laurea
does not really have to have a partnering deal with the school a student wants to go to, as long as it is a higher education institution. So basically, you can apply wherever you want to!
Safety first! One can come across some problems while abroad. Sini tells that the most common ones are related to the student’s apartment here in Finland: “Many students have said that there’s some problems with their apartments as they go away for a semester or two, because they don’t know what to do with it, or how to pay the rent. The other major issue seems to be relationships, especially if it has started only recently.” Sini mentions with slight amusement. When you go abroad, you might as well be prepared for some unpleasant surprises. It is very important to get insurance, or update it if you already have one, before you leave. “If something bad happens while you are abroad, for example your belongings get stolen or you get injured, you need to contact your local school’s coordinator. This is because when you are abroad, you are a student of the local school. It goes both ways: exchange students in Laurea are our responsibility. It is the local coordinators responsibility to help.” Still, Sini wishes all Laurea students would contact her as well. She really wants to know how things are going with the exchange. “It should also be considered if there is something we can do from here. I once flew to see how two students were doing with their exchange, but luckily it was nothing acute. I just felt I had to go and see what was going on”, Sini says. Evidently, Laurea’s students are being taken care of even when they are abroad. The exchange program is not easily left halfway. A few times some students have come home midway either because they have become ill, or something has happened to their relatives. Some have lost handbags or some other items because of theft, but nothing major has happened.
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