Our Events

More details on our events can be found on the home page, mailing lists and Facebook group (ESN Uni Helsinki 10/11). However, here are some examples of what we have done in the past!

Parties

For ESN members in a Thursday night equals a big night out in great company! This tradition means both active Finnish members and Erasmus students gather in a pub or a nightclub in Helsinki to really let their hair down. With the ESN card you get free entrance and great discounts on drinks, so there's really no excuse not to come. At the Thursday night parties you can meet new people, have fun with old friends and make great memories of your stay in Helsinki. The parties are one of our most popular events and you can find the details of this week's party on the home page.

Seasonal events

Independence day torch parade

On December 6th every year the Finnish people celebrate their independence from Russia by lighting two blue and white candles on their window sill and watching the Independence Day Ball hosted by the President live from the presidential residence. Students, however, have their own way of commemorating independence. Every year the student unions of the establishments of higher education of the Helsinki area organize a torch parade from the Hietaniemi Cemetery to the Senate Square. Every school and student association, including ESN have their own flags under which they march along the main roads of Helsinki. Torches are carried and every student wears a special student cap. When the procession reaches the Senate Square speeches are given by the student union presidents and patriotic songs, including the national anthem, are sung.

Laskiainen – Shrove Tuesday

On Shrove Tuesday in February, students, as well as other people, go to Kaivopuisto for some sledging and ESN-HYY organizes its own sledging event. A sleigh sliding a long way in the snow was thought to mean a good harvest the following year. Pea soup and pancakes are the traditional meal, but Shrove Tuesday also has its own special sweet bun, laskiaispulla, with a whipped cream and jam or almond paste filling.

Vappu – Mayday

May Day in Finland is traditionally the most important day for workers and students. May Day is celebrated on the first of May, although as often is the case in Finland, the eve is actually quite as important. Student caps are worn by all who have passed the matriculation examinations of the Finnish high school and also the Statue Havis Amanda on the Market Square in Helsinki is given her own student cap. The universities of the Helsinki area take turns in "capping" Havis Amanda, or "Manta". This ritual takes place on the eve. On the day itself people, including students, gather at Kaivopuisto for a May Day picnic, drinking and hanging out with friends.

Sports

Finland is the holy land of winter sports. Don’t leave the country without having tried to ski and skate! During the cold winter, ice-skating is organized every week, usually on Sunday evenings in Brahen kenttä, in Kallio. You can rent skates and even try to play ice-hockey!

A real ice-hockey match is a cool experience full of adrenaline and fun. Join the ESN and come to watch a selected match with us!

If you’re going to Lapland, you’re for sure going to try cross country skiing, but Helsinki has good skiing facilities as well. You can rent skis in Paloheinä and spend a nice sunny winter day by skiing and if you’re a beginner follow ESN and our one-day skiing courses!

Over the past years Erasmus students have also had possibilities to play football, dance folkdance and even try horseback riding!

Excursions

The two most popular and traditional excursions are the trip to the chocolate factory Fazer and the visit to the Finnish broadcasting company YLE located in Pasila. During the visit to YLE you’ll have the chance to see what lies behind the scenes and how the Finnish TV is done. Also you’ll take a view at studios, set decorations, costumes and wardrobe, editorial department, Finnish TV-stars… Fazer is the most delicious excursion you’ll ever take part. You’ll see how chocolate and candies are made and you have a chance to taste everything as much as you want! Year by year we also organize excursions to the parliament house, interesting museums and galleries.

Cooking

Most Finnish dishes are fairly simple and easy to prepare, however, not being used to the ingredients or methods may make them seem hard to prepare. This is where ESN-HYY comes to your rescue. We organize, together with Martat, a Finnish home economics organization, cooking courses meant especially for international students. With us you can learn how to cook a Finnish three course dinner or just make some Karelian pies or "pulla", a sweet bun, an important Finnish staple food. Besides, preparing food and eating together are both fun and interesting, especially when done the ESN way! Also in the beginning of each semester we organize the Survival Shopping and introduce you the best Finnish products of the grocery stores!

Handicrafts
Every Finnish grandmother knits. Mittens, scarves, hats and socks; all are needed in the cold Finnish climate, but what to do when you don't have a Finnish granny? Easy - it's not just grannies who knit, you can just learn to knit Finnish winter garments yourself! With a little help from ESN-HYY's capable people you can learn to make yourself a warm
scarf or maybe even a pair of proper Finnish woolen socks. If you don't want to knit, just come along for a nice little chat or a cup of coffee with our friendly ESN-HYY people!

Buddy project

If you want to meet new people with similar interests and form lasting friendships, then the ESN Buddy Project is meant for you! The project is organized every term to help bring together Finnish and foreign students and can really be made in to anything you want it to be. Anyone wishing to participate fills in a questionnaire and these people are then divided into small groups according to their interests. The groups will get to know each other at the first Buddy Project event of the term. The first meetings are organized by ESN-HYY, but the groups can then start meeting on their to do fun things together and get to know one another more. Things organized by ESN-HYY can include parties, a city rally,
game nights and much more. The Buddy Project is different every year, so come make it your own!

Unfortunately we can’t guarantee that every single one of the activities listed above will be organized during your time in Finland. If you’re interested in a particular activity, please let us know and we’ll do our best. Or, if you feel like organizing something yourself, come to a meeting of the ESN Committee or just email any member of the Board.