Program

Time and duration: Monday - Sunday 23.5-29.5.2022
Place: University of Lapland

The first part of the program includes brief presentations, panel presentations, and small group discussions. Besides Finland and the U.S., lecturers include faculty members and practitioners from the other countries represented in the program. Typically, the presentations address a range of topics related to the program theme of social work from a global perspective.

Students also share information about their home countries; for example, their work experiences or social issues, in student panels. Participants engage in small group discussions (workshops) on topics related to global social work such as ethics or immigration.

A social-cultural program during the first week includes a welcoming reception, a pot luck dinner & sauna evening and an international evening (see Social Program for more information on these events).

Program for the lecture week 23.5-27.5.2022

Mon. 23 May

Welcoming remarks

Participant Introductions

Lectures and Workshop Groups

Welcoming Reception (see Social Program below)

Tues. 24 May

Lectures, Student Panels and Workshop Groups

Wed. 25 May

Lectures, Student Panels and Workshop Groups

International Evening (see Social Program below)

Thurs. 26 May

Ascension day (public holiday), no program

Fri. 27 May

Lectures, Student Panels and Workshop Groups

Closing ceremonies

Pot luck dinner (see Social Program below)

Welcoming Reception

Monday 23.5.2022 at the University (place to be announced)

An informal gathering where you can share food and drink with other participants.

International Evening

Wednesday 25.5.2022 lecture halls 20 & 21

During the international evening each country represented in the summer school has an opportunity to share something about their culture. Presentations may include history, arts, geography, language, dress, customs, or anything that participants would like others to know or experience. In past years, for example, participants have shared food and music, worn traditional clothing, displayed photographs, and taught dances, games and folk tales. The atmosphere is informal and fun.

Pot Luck Dinner

Friday 27.5.2022 lecture halls 20 & 21

Participants of the summer school share traditional food and/or beverages from their home countries. 

Optional visits to Rovaniemi Museums 

Saturday 28.5.2022

Arktikum: Science center and museum that lets you experience northern nature, culture and history up close

Science Center Pilke: the opportunity to explore the forest with all your senses and from many different angles

Korundi: House of culture and Rovaniemi Art Museum 

Free time to explore Rovaniemi. Optional hike to Ounasvaara.

Sunday 29.5.2022

Part One - Excursion to Utsjoki/Kevo  

Monday- Wednesday 30.5-1.6.2022

This excursion takes us to Utsjoki, Finland’s northernmost municipality, located 367 km north of the Arctic Circle. We travel by bus through southern Lapland’s woods towards the fell area of Lapland and the Finnish Sámi district. We stay two nights at Kevo, a subarctic research station, operated by the University of Turku. During our travels we make brief stops at sites of interest such as social service agencies, the Sámi Parliament, a Sami Reindeer Farm and Siida, the Sámi museum. While at Kevo, we travel to Utsjoki and visit a high school, the bridge that crosses the Teno river bordering Finland and Norway, and a church village.

The trip introduces us to Sámi Culture and social services to Lapland’s indigenous Sámi population. At Kevo we learn about the unique flora and fauna of Lapland while experiencing the pristine environment of the far north including the indescribable Midnight Sun. For the complete Lapland experience, there is opportunity to partake in sauna followed by a dip in the clean, cold water of a subarctic lake.

Costs for this excursion are about 180 euros, which includes accommodation, transportation, meals and museum entrance fees.

Please note that the number of places on this trip is limited. We will confirm the participation list for the trip by March 2022. 

Part Two: Extended Program: Excursion to Helsinki

Thursday.- Saturday 2.-4.6.2022

In this program, summer school participants have the opportunity to learn about some of the social service programs and cultural offerings of Finland's largest city, Helsinki. The region around Helsinki forms a metropolitan area with over one million inhabitants and is the home of the majority of immigrant and refugee populations. As the capital of Finland, Helsinki houses the Office of the President, the Parliament, and many government ministries. It is also the home of many wonderful museums and other cultural attractions. As a group, we will visit one such attraction: Suomenlinna, a 17th century island fortress in the Gulf of Finland. We also will visit some exemplary social service agencies. There will also be free time to explore the city on your own. You should periodically check this website for the specific itinerary.

Participants in the Helsinki excursion are responsible for making their own travel, lodging and other arrangements. We recommend Eurohostel as the lodging site for summer school participants. The students will make their own lodging arrangements.

If you want to participate in this part of the program, be sure to fully complete the section of the application pertaining to the Helsinki excursion. Submitting you summer school application by 1st February 2022 will help us to coordinate these arrangements.