tutors

Cultural Diversity in POKA

Hello! In the Cultural Diversity of Study Paths project, we are developing the following for the Student Union POKA:

  • Internationalization skills
  • Opportunities for international students to influence
  • A sense of community and the “Karelia for all” spirit
  • Forms of peer support

In the first year of the project, we have compiled an analysis of the current state of POKA’s operations and identified areas for development in terms of multiculturalism. The document below outlines POKA’s activities and services, along with the development areas for each service during and after the project. In the introduction, we have also summarized the results of the internationalization survey for student unions conducted in spring 2024.

What do we want to develop? Highlights from the document:

  • POKA’s most important documents will be translated into English
  • We will enhance communication about members’ opportunities to influence and encourage voting in POKA’s Council of Representatives elections
  • We will focus on making communications more accessible and multi-channel
  • POKA will establish an International Division
  • We will develop POKA’s academic year calendar, website, and orientation info to better meet the information needs of international students
  • A new model for Degree Tutor and Degree VIP activities will be created
  • Based on student requests, we will pilot the “Let’s Speak Finnish” activities
  • We will involve students more in organizing activities
  • Collaboration with local organizations, other actors, and the Student Union ISYY will be increased to improve international students’ networks and integrations
  • We will try out buddy activities and buddy class activities
  • The mystery team activities in checkpoint events will be developed to bring international and Finnish students together
  • We will improve the orientation for POKA’s trustees and the training for tutors and VIP students in terms of internationalization skills
  • We will also share internationalization knowledge with those involved in student associations and divisions that work with international students at Karelia UAS
  • International students will be encouraged to join POKA so that POKA represents all student groups equally and inclusively
  • In POKA’s equality work, the “Karelia for all” spirit, diversity and anti-racism will be strongly emphasized

Follow our activities on @varmapoka, pokapoka.fi and #monikulttuurisetopintopolut.

For more information: [email protected]