Parku ry as a communication students’ organization has opened a new chapter by enhancing its involvement with international students. Two communication students describe their relationship with internationality, their work as an international affairs coordinator and an exchange tutor and share their experiences of Parku’s international goals.
Parku’s International Affairs Coordinator’s thoughts
Hei vaan kaikki! I’m Lauri Anetjärvi and I was recently elected to the position of international affairs coordinator in our subject association. My job in this organization is to bring internationality to our association’s events and everyday life. There are numerous ways for developing internationality in a student organisation, but in these processes exchange students are arguably the most valuable resource an association could have. Every semester we receive exchange students from different parts of the world, who are mostly in a same stage of life and who also study the same major as the rest of us. With these people living and studying beside us, the possibilities for cultural exchanges and new friendships are excellent. Interactions between students of different nationalities provide excellent foundations for exchange of different ideas, finding new perspectives and even networking beyond borders. In order for these networks to form and interactions to happen, it’s in our best interest to make sure that international students feel welcome to join us and to build these intercultural relations with great enthusiasm and care!
In the past year or so Parku as an organisation has focused on internationality more than before and we want to continue this endeavour because this has proven to be fruitful. In 2025 we managed to include international students in our events which may not sound like a huge achievement, but in my opinion even international student’s presence helps in bringing some much-needed diversity to our organisation. At the end of 2025 we introduced the exchange student membership so international students could have access to our events and benefits easier than ever. At the moment we are also in process of translating as much of our material as we can so that our content would be accessible for non-Finnish speakers. In communication studies we often research relationship dynamics, group formation and other people skills, thus we are ready and happy to use our expertise to build solid connections with international students.
International students often face different challenges during their exchange such as limited financial safety nets, low chances of employment and prejudice in different levels of society. One obstacle that international students commonly face is that, compared to Finnish students, they have less options for socializing and networking which is an issue that we as an organisation can and will help to tackle!
In addition to working with international students Parku’s internationalizing also consist of helping Finnish members with planning and applying for their student exchanges. Our university already provides a great amount of information and assistance with student exchanges but as a subject association we can offer more lowkey and personal help. For example, our students who have returned from their exchanges are often brought before an audience to share their experiences and to answer questions about studying abroad. During exchange application periods we offer consultation and help with the application process, which can be tricky from time to time. Our actions aim to bridging the gap between students and university even more, so that student exchanges would go as smoothly as possible. By having our students spend time in different parts of the world we inevitably increase our cultural understanding as a community.
Both international presence in Parku and help offered by older students have helped me personally with my plans of internationalizing. A month ago, my exchange application was approved and I’m going to Belo Horizonte, Brazil in 2027 for my own student exchange. So far, I’ve received lots of guidance with the application process from the older students. The thought of diving into a very different culture in a very distant country feels sometimes intimidating however, interactions with the international students present in our day-to-day life have already made me much more confident in my ability to interact and form relationships regardless of difference in culture or language.
Lauri Anetjärvi, Freshman, Parku ry; International Affairs Coordinator
Exchange Tutor’s experiences
Greetings from an exchange tutor and welcome to Finland! I hope you are excited about this new phase of your life and your time in Jyväskylä. But let’s be honest, moving to a new country can feel also overwhelming. Suddenly everything is unfamiliar and it can feel like someone switched the difficulty level to “expert.” And that’s exactly why exchange tutors exist. Tutors are local students who help international students to settle in and feel welcome from day one. We’ll meet you when you arrive and guide you through the first practical steps like housing, transportation, and navigating campus. As a tutor my job is also to introduce you to Finnish culture and student life here in Jyväskylä. Many tutors will organize small gatherings, city tours, or casual hangouts to help you connect with others.
Even though I’m now welcoming you to Finland, I’ve also been in your shoes. In spring 2025, I spent my own exchange semester in Busan, South Korea. It’s an experience I’ll definitely remember for the rest of my life. I remember stepping off the plane and feeling both excited and overwhelmed by everything that was new. What helped me most were the people who reached out early on: my Korean Buddie, classmates, and other exchange students who were just as lost as I was. Those connections made the unfamiliar feel manageable and reminded me that it’s okay not to know everything on day one. International connections have also broadened my own view of the world and offered a new perspective on life. That experience is a big part of why I care so much about creating international connections and supporting new students arriving in Jyväskylä now.
That’s why I also see that Parku’s goal of increasing internationality is truly important and useful for both of us local students and visiting international students. As an international student, you are warmly invited to become part of Parku’s community. We genuinely want to strengthen international connections and make our organization a place where students from all backgrounds feel included. Your perspectives, experiences, and ideas enrich our community, and we’re excited to create connections and share Finnish student life with you.
So once again, welcome to Finland, welcome to Jyväskylä, and welcome to Parku. I hope this city, this university, and our community become a place where you feel supported, inspired, and truly at home throughout your stay.
Eedla Kenttämies, 3rd year communication student, Exchange Tutor
