News and Notes from Global Initiatives
News
- April 11
Waterman selected for 2023 Ponsse Internship
Senior marketing student will take on new adventures in U.S. and Finland
Finlandia University senior Marketing major Madelyn Waterman has been selected for the 2023 Ponsse Einari Vidgrén Foundation Internship. Finlandia and Ponsse are proud to welcome Waterman into this position as the first internship recipient since 2019, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This internship aims to create an opportunity for Finlandia students to have hands-on experience aligned with their major, understand national and international work environments and develop a deeper [...]
- March 2
Finlandia University will not enroll students for the 2023-2024 academic year
On Thursday, March 2, Finlandia University’s Board of Trustees announced that Finlandia will not enroll students for the 2023-2024 academic year. The decision follows months of continuous efforts to find pathways for the University to continue its mission.
“I am deeply saddened to announce that due to a combination of demographic changes, with fewer high school graduates available, a steep decrease in interest in going to college among those graduates, and an unbearable debt load, Finlandia’s Board of Trustees met and [...]
- February 2
Menu released for Diversity Dinner Week
All are welcome February 6-10 at Finlandia Hall Café for Diversity Dinner Week 2023!
All week, Finlandia’s student body has been submitting dishes to be considered for one of FinnU’s most loved events, Diversity Dinner. After tallying the results, Dining Services is thrilled to announce this year’s menu.
2023 Diversity Dinner cuisine options will include:
Monday, Feb 6 – Puerto Rico – Pollo Guisado (Chicken Stew), Pernil (Roasted Pork), Red Beans & Rice, Chef’s Choice. The dessert will be Tres Leches Cake. Tuesday, Feb. [...] - January 27
Diversity Dinner is back!
Join us February 6-10 at Finlandia Hall Cafe as we celebrate the unique backgrounds of Finlandia’s community with Diversity Dinner!
All are welcome to Diversity Dinner Week 2023! From 4:30 to 7:00 p.m., February 6-10, Finlandia’s Dining Services will be serving up traditional foods from around the world. Dinners are free for Finlandia University students with a meal plan and $10 for everyone else. Proceeds will be used by Finlandia’s Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion [...]
- January 24
Exchange Student Spotlight: Abdi Bekele, Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences
Small class sizes and faculty mentoring reward business student with invaluable experience studying abroad at Finlandia University
The International Exchange Program at Finlandia University allows students who study at partner institutions to attend Finlandia for a semester abroad. These students can immerse themselves in American culture while earning credit toward their degree.
In this Q&A, Abdi Bekele, an aviation business student from Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences in Porvoo, Finland, details his experience attending FinnU and living in Michigan’s Upper [...]
- January 23
Franklin-Rahkonen named new chair of Finnish Council of America
Dr. Sharon Franklin-Rahkonen has been named the new leader of the Finnish Council of America at Finlandia University. Franklin-Rahkonen will serve as council chair, a position previously held by John Niska, who will now lead outreach on behalf of the organization.
After serving on the council’s board for many years and as secretary on its executive committee, Franklin-Rahkonen shared appreciation and insight into the council’s initiatives moving forward.
“I am very pleased to be asked to head the Finnish Council. We look [...]
- January 13
Traveling abroad with Finlandia’s criminal justice program
Criminal justice majors have the opportunity to travel abroad to learn more about other justice systems from around the world. From Finland to the former Soviet Union, you are introduced to how social justice is viewed in a different context.
Following a recent video release highlighting the criminal justice program’s most recent trip, Dr. Richard Gee sits down with the Finlandia Fridays podcast to talk about what opportunities the group had to experience.
This year’s trip included 14 days of travel [...]
- January 11
Criminal Justice trip to Europe | 2022 Video Highlights
Finlandia students interested in traveling and studying criminal justice have the opportunity to take a trip to Europe each summer. This year’s trip included 14 days of travel with students and faculty from Finlandia, Tampere University, Sheffield Hallam University in the UK, Marquette University, and Appalachia State University. The group traveled to Finland, Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia, with a final stay in the Åland Islands, a beautifully scenic and frequently traveled archipelago between Finland and Sweden.
Throughout the trip, students spent [...]
- January 5
Finlandia to host Finnish comedy sensation ISMO
Tickets on sale now
Finlandia University will host stand-up comedian ISMO on February 17 and 18 for two shows. Tickets are on sale now.
The widely acclaimed comedian and Youtuber was named 2014’s Funniest Person in the World in his U.S. debut at the Laugh Factory in Hollywood. ISMO has been called “the most insightful comic in Finland” and as a new resident in the United States, ISMO continues to be the ultimate observer. His uniquely observational comedy makes [...]
- January 2
Exchange Student Spotlight: Jesper Hagelberg, Business College Helsinki
International partnership offers unique experience in return of study abroad programs
Taking advantage of a student-exchange program between Business College Helsinki and Finlandia University, Jesper Hagelberg set off to Hancock, MI, from Finland in the fall of 2022 with an opportunity to compete in NCAA DIII athletics while expanding the boundaries of his education.
An opportunity afforded by one of Finlandia University’s eight international partnerships with colleges and universities around the world, Hagelberg earned credit toward [...]
