The Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland (ISYY) (opens in a new tab) is the advocacy and service organisation for UEF students. ISYY provides its members with services, events, sports, and opportunities to influence student life on both campuses.
Membership
ISYY membership is based on the Finnish Universities Act. All Bachelor’s and Master’s degree students at UEF are automatically members of ISYY, regardless of their field of study or campus. Doctoral researchers and international exchange students may join voluntarily — and most do.
Membership fee is paid as part of the UEF registration process. For non-degree students (e.g. exchange students), paying the membership fee is voluntary.
Membership services
Student card and term sticker
- Digital student card (opens in a new tab)— available free of charge to all ISYY members.
- Term sticker for plastic student cards — available at the ISYY office.
- More information on ordering a student card: ISYY General Info (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
Sports and leisure
- Club activities (opens in a new tab)
- Recreational activities and events (opens in a new tab)
- Equipment loan service (opens in a new tab) (e.g. sports equipment, board games)
- Venue hire (opens in a new tab)
International services
- International services (opens in a new tab), including orientation support and the Survival Package (see below).
Advocacy and participation
- Interest advocacy (opens in a new tab) — ISYY represents students’ interests at the university and in society.
- Opportunities to make an impact (opens in a new tab) in the Student Union and at UEF.
- Anti-harassment contact persons (opens in a new tab)
Services for student associations
Office services
- Printing, copying, and other office services available at ISYY offices.
Other
- Student calendar — pick up your free copy at the ISYY office.
- All ISYY services (opens in a new tab)
Make an impact
As an ISYY member you can influence student life and participate in decision-making in several ways:
- Vote in Representative Council elections.
- Stand as a candidate in Representative Council elections.
- Apply to become a member of the Executive Board.
- Join a team — ISYY’s teams work on specific topics such as advocacy, communications, or events.
- Become a student representative in UEF administration.
Read more about opportunities to make a difference (opens in a new tab).
Survival package for exchange students
International students who are ISYY members can rent a Survival Package containing essential household items to help you settle in: kitchenware, bed sheets, towels, and more. The maximum rental period is one academic year, and the packages are primarily intended for exchange students. Most items are second-hand — the idea is to reuse.
More information about the Survival Package (opens in a new tab).
Offices and contact information
| Campus | Location |
|---|---|
| Kuopio | Studentia building, door C (on campus) |
| Joensuu | Suvantokatu 6, city centre |
Opening hours: See current opening hours and any exceptions on the ISYY website front page (opens in a new tab).
Contact information: ISYY office contact details (opens in a new tab)
Communication channels
Stay up to date on events, services, and news relevant to students by following ISYY’s communication channels.
Weekly feed is ISYY’s newsletter, sent to your email every Tuesday. As an ISYY member you are automatically added to the mailing list at the beginning of each semester.
| Channel | Link |
|---|---|
| Website | isyy.fi/en (opens in a new tab) |
| ISYY on Instagram (opens in a new tab) | |
| Newsletters | ISYY newsletters (opens in a new tab) |
| ISYY on Facebook (opens in a new tab) | |
| YouTube | ISYY on YouTube (opens in a new tab) |
| Viva Engage | ISYY on Viva Engage (opens in a new tab) |
Associations and clubs on campus
Both campuses have a wide range of student organisations that offer community and activities alongside your studies. There are three types:
- Student associations (ainejärjestöt) bring together students studying the same subject.
- Campus associations (kampusjärjestöt) gather students with a shared interest, such as politics, theatre, or choir.
- ISYY clubs (kerhot) operate under ISYY and are open to all members. They focus on hobbies and activities.
Browse organisations:
- Student associations (opens in a new tab)
- Campus associations (opens in a new tab)
- ISYY clubs (opens in a new tab)
ISYY clubs — examples
All ISYY members are welcome to join any club. Examples include.
Joensuu:
- JOOJAKU (Japanese culture)
- Joensuu Board Gamers
- MtG Guild (Magic: The Gathering)
- Joensuu Chess Club
Kuopio:
- Kärmes (board games)
- UEF Muslim Students’ Club
- Itä-Suomen Akateeminen Shakki (chess)
Full list of ISYY clubs (opens in a new tab)
JEIS — Joensuu’s Exchange and International Students
JEIS is ISYY’s international club in Joensuu. It organises events, trips, and activities both on and off campus. Despite the name, both Finnish and international students are welcome. JEIS aims to introduce Finnish culture and lifestyle to international students, offer Finnish students international experiences, and promote intercultural understanding.
More information about JEIS and other ISYY clubs (opens in a new tab).
Information for new students
- ISYY General Info (PDF) (opens in a new tab) — overview of ISYY, services, member benefits, and how to get your student card.
- Information for new international students on ISYY’s website (opens in a new tab)