Events

POKA organises a range of established and changing events each year. Follow @varmapoka and Kide.app and be there when it happens! #comeasyouare #kareliaforall

FRESHMEN PASS, read more

Participate in the raffle by collecting POKA stamps in your freshman pass from Aug 17 to Sep 30, 2026! Return the pass to the POKA office by Sep 30 at the latest. Receive an overall badge and enter the raffle! Stamps can be obtained from the POKA office and in FAMKY and Student Blast events at POKA point.

Enter the raffle for a chance to win amazing prizes!

Upcoming events in autumn 2026

SEPTEMBER

• Student Blast >> on 3 September, 3–5 PM kicks off the new academic year in style at Joensuu Market Square! Live performance by Mikael Gabriel!
• The Opening Day on 3 September culminates starting at 5 PM with the FAMKY checkpoint event >>, guiding you and your team around downtown Joensuu through awesome team‑spirit‑boosting challenges – not forgetting the evening party!
• Wellbeing pop‑ups will be shining in campus lobbies during lunch breaks: 8 September in the main lobby of the Wärtsilä Campus, 9 September in the lobby of the E Building at Tikkarinne Campus
  Organizers: Karelia wellbeing operators and POKA
• Cricket and Finnish Baseball Try out >> on 9.9. at 4-6pm at Tapionkatu field. Come and play or try out! Organizers: POKA, Integration Services, WiNK project and Cultural Diversity of Study Paths project
• Discover Joensuu and Learn Finnish >> will continue in September and will include monthly activities around Joensuu or North Karelia area. Organizers: Simhe, POKA and Cultural Diversity of Study Paths project
• A new Karelia Friend >> season also starts in autumn! We match local Finns and international students to get to know each other and their cultures. Organizers: WiNK Project and POKA
• New event: Social Dining on 23 September, 6–8 PM brings Karelia UAS’ students, staff and alumni together at Wärtsilä campus restaurant Wire for a shared dinner with side activities. Organizers: Food and Co and POKA
• On 30 September, we once again celebrate a shared sports afternoon by SYKETTÄ.

OCTOBER

• New: TimeTravels trip to Lofoten Islands (Norway) on 4.-8.10. 30 € discount for POKA members!
• New: At the beginning of October, we celebrate World Mental Health Day! Activities in campus lobbies: Wärtsilä campus main lobby on 6.10. at 10.30-12.30 and Tikkarinne campus E building lobby on 8.10. at 10.30-12.30. Organizers: POKA and Wellbeing Team
• New: Find a Hobby! on 7 October, 11 AM–1 PM, in the Wärtsilä lobby. Come discover new hobbies and connections! Organizers: WiNK Project and POKA
• POKA turns 20! Celebrate with us at the anniversary gala on 17 October at Kimmel ❤️

NOVEMBER

• Apply to become an active decision‑maker in POKA! The Representative Council elections and Board applications open.
• The season concludes with pre‑Christmas celebrations…

DECEMBER

• New: TimeTravels trip to Saariselkä (Lappland) on 1.-7.12. 30 € discount for POKA members!

Please note