Internationality

Student mobility: exchanges and traineeships abroad

In particular, tight deadlines for graduation, difficulty of adding a mobility period as part of a degree and the life situations of students with families are reasons that make it difficult for students to go on a mobility period abroad. Financial constraints are another main reason why students do not take up the opportunity to go abroad. We advocate increasing student mobility by informing decision-makers and officials about measures we consider to be solutions to this challenge.

In addition to mobility periods, SAMOK promotes opportunities for internationalisation at home and the definition of the learning outcomes and content of international competence at the national level.

International students in Finland

In particular, identity verification at an embassy or consulate, which is part of the residence permit process, has caused problems as the services are very congested. In addition to challenges with entry into the country, international students do not integrate very well into Finnish society and have more difficulties finding an internship or job compared to Finnish students. Among other themes, we contribute to solving these challenges by meeting decision-makers and presenting our views in various working groups and meetings.

International and EU engagement work (EU, ESU and NOM)

SAMOK is engaged at the European level with active advocacy work in the umbrella organisation, European Students’ Union, and in cooperation with national student organisations in other European countries. Our cooperation is particularly close with other Nordic and Baltic countries, and the national student organisations in these countries are members of the NOM network (Nordisk Ordförande Möte), which meets twice a year.

The most important institutions at European level whose education policy is influenced by SAMOK are the European Union and the Bologna Process (European Higher Education Area). In the EU, SAMOK has a particular impact on the Commission’s education policy initiatives, such as the European Education Area (EEA) and the European Universities network. In its international engagement work, SAMOK meets EU decision-makers and participates in EU-level discussions in various working group in Finland and international forums.

Students at Risk Finland

Our advisor on the subject: