UUNO
THIS MONTH...
World Press Photo Exhibition 2012
in Oulu!
Parliamentary elections
Vappu Calendar
Scholarships
International Student Newsletter
Issue 3 WAPPU
April/May, 2011
email: [email protected]
www.oyy.fi/en/uuno-newsletter
MONDAY 25.4...
VAPPU CALENDAR
13:00 BBQ Party in Teekkaritalo (Kalervontie 7) and Amazing Face Competition.
The event is open for everyone. Take own
food and drinks and have a barbecue party
together with the teekkaris (engineer students who are professionals when it comes
to Vappu). Take a towel with you for sauna!
TUESDAY 26.4....
Waterbus - Bus 69. During Vappu Week
there will be a special and legendary BUS,
line number 69,which goes between the university and centre. Catch the waterbus on its
first day and have the ride of your life! The
bus will be on the road between 16:00-24:00.
The waterbus belongs to the local bus company but the difference is that people are actually talking and dancing in the bus while
DJ is playing music. Tickets cost 2,5e/person/hour.
Traditional Rowing Competition
Tuira Beach, 12:00-17:00
Vappu on the riverside! Come cheer on your
favourite team to victory! ESN and NISO are
good options to root for! While teams are
roaring past - or at each other - DJ Ant will
entertain the crowd on the beach.
After Row-Party / Jälkisoudut 2011
@ 22:00, Night Club Apollo.
Award ceremony and party. Feature band:
Mr. Hyde. Tickets are 4e in advance, 5e at
the door.
THURSDAY 28.4...
Päiväkännit at Hevimesta! 12:59 - 19:00
During Vappu celebrations there’s no time to
rest during the day. The “Tipsy Afternoon”
includes live music! Free rides by Waterbus
to Hevimesta from Linnanmaa 13:00-15:00.
Afterparty at Teekkaritalo (Kalervontie 7) in
Kaijonharju - Rave Party!
The Wappuhäjyylyt @ 22:00
If you don’t feel like partying in the legendary Teekkaritalo there is also a party in
downtown. It is held in the Night Club Tivoli starting at 22:00. Tickets cost 3e in advance, 5e at the door. Pre-tickets sold next to
the green coat racks and also during rowing
competition.
Torinranta afternoon 12:00 - 14:00
Check out the happenings going on at the
Kauppatori (Market square).
Waatonaatto Afterparty 22:00 p.m
Apollo Night Club.
“Make It Shake”- Live Band playing after
00:30. Tickets for the party are sold at the
green racks.
SATURDAY 30.4 Wappu Eve...
White-capping Ceremony: Franzen statue
@ 12:00, Franzen Park
The Franzen statue will be given its own
white hat in the centre at Franzen Park. Bus 7
brings you closest to the park.
Vappu Parade, City Center, 12:00
12:00-17:00 Bijou Pub Crawl
Kotikaupungin lyhyt – the legendary pub
crawl by WATERBUS starts from the University. During the tour the WATERBUS
takes you to 5 of Oulu’s most characteristic
pubs which you might have never heard of!
The crawl costs 10e + own drinks. Limited
places available in the bus. So most probably
the event will be sold out in advance!
Freshmen Initiation - River Dip
Äström Park (close to PSOAS) @ 14:00
Engineering freshmen get initiated in the
Oulu River (either dressed silly or nude)
while the rest gather around to watch over
their traditional picnic and Vappu games. The
Student Union is serving free sima
and munkki.
ESN Oulu
will have an
international
picnic spot
in the park.
Wear your
overalls (if
you
have
one)
and
OYY
don’t forget to bring your own beverages and snacks.
ÖöpisGaala at Night Club Dione
22:00 onwards.
Entrance 3e.
03:33:33 a.m Ashematunnelin örinät. Before going home or to an after party
some students gather in the tunnel near the railway station to sing (or just to
make some loud ruckus).
05:00 a.m 05:30 - 09:00 a.m 09:00 a.m 11:00 a.m 18:00 p.m Freshman Capping celebrations in Rauhala
“Sillis” = breakfast
Champagne matinee in Linnasaari.
Keep your eyes peeled out for NISO’s
own picnic areas throughout the day, sooner or later
Musical disturbances by TeekuTorvet Wind Orchestra
Cassiopeia - one of the university choirs - will be singing on the stairs of the town hall in downtown.
Freshman Capping Ceremony in Teekkaritalo
On May Day, Finns go to the city center to watch parades and eat the first ice
creams of the summer - Hey, the summer IS coming! One of our international
students already got a cold wearing shorts on a sunny day...
FRIDAY 29.4...
WEDNESDAY 27.4...
AAAAK- Party in Tivoli!
Short for Aatonaatonaaton Apina Kapina
marks that there’s only a few days to the
1st of May! Tickets sold at the Humus Cafe
and next to the green coat racks on 19.4. and
20.4. from 10:00-14:00. The party is thrown
by students from Humanities and Natural
Sciences. Tickets cost 3e in advance, 4e at
the door.
SUNDAY 1.5 Wappu Day...
WAATTO-Party, Night Club Dione 22:00
What is Vappu all about..?!
The academic
year is almost
over, but luckily that doesn’t
mean all the fun
is over! One
of the highlights of the
year is coming,
the legendary
VAPPU. Most
Maciej Sobocinski
international students have probably heard some rumours about this but you probably
don’t know what it’s all about. Don’t worry, you’re about to find out!
In Finland, Vappu – also known as Mayday, Labour day, is along with
New Year’s Eve and Juhannus, the biggest carnival-style festival held
in the streets and parks of Finland’s towns and cities. The celebration,
which begins on the evening of 30 April – or earlier – and continues
until 1 May, typically is associated with copious consumption of sparkling wine and other alcoholic beverages. It’s a Finnish Vappu tradition
to drink sima (mead) with munkki (donuts). Various other academic
student traditions (particularly those of the engineering students) take
place during Vappu week (e.g. Vappu rowing competition, sitsit parties, races, freshmen thrown into the freezing river/sea, Vappu magazines etc.). Traditionally students also were their overalls the whole
week. Notice, that you are never allowed to wash your overall ;)
All owners of a white cap (the mark of having completed one’s Finnish Matriculation Exams) usually dig them out for the Vappu occassion. The engineering students can be distinguished by the pom-poms
which hang their caps, also worn on the caps of nurses and some other
vocational school graduates. Student traditions include various initiations and white-capping various landmarks, for example Franzen here
in Oulu. Engineering freshmen usually get dunked in the river while
the rest join to watch while enjoying their Vappu picnic at a local park.
There are also a some fun daytime activities like a traditional Finnish
rowing competition where NISO will be leading one team this year.
What’s hot
Call for applications, Scholarships for
International Master’s Students!
FINNISH PARLIAMENTARY
ELECTIONS 2011
National Coalition Party (Kok): Social Democratic Party (SDP): True Finns: Centre Party: Left Alliance:
Green League: Swedish People’s Party: Christian Democrats: Pirate Party: Others (Aaland-seat)
20.4%
19.1%
19.0%
15.8%
8.1%
7.2%
4.3%
4.0%
0.4%
1.6%
44 /200 seats
42
39
35
14
10
9
6
0
1
What the “jytky”?
Henni Saarela
This year, old candidate favorites bowed down
and ended their days as Finland’s members of
parliament. This resulted in a huge vacuum of
votes with the political parties scrambling to get
them. Combine this vacuum with general dissatisfaction in the political status quo, a government distanced from the needs of the population,
growing poverty, Finland’s involvment and controversial fiscal contributions towards eurozone
bailout packages and some hot homefront issues.
Throw in a bunch of newly revived sleepy voters and you will have a most fascinating Election
Day in your hands.
A herd of voters, both students and locals, gathered in Pub Caio last on Election Sunday to
watch the results of the parliamentary elections
of 2011. Over a period of one hour the political scene in Finland changed quite dramatically.
As it read in The Economist on Tuesday, “The
cosy consensus of Finnish parliamentary politics was shattered.” As more votes were counted
and the results unveiled, the crowd sat on the
edges of their seats as the NCP, SDP, and True
Finns parties were neck to neck – with the populist eurosceptic party (True Finns) even being
number one, albeit momentarily. In the end, the
University of Oulu Scholarship Foundation invites applications for
20 scholarships of EUR 1 000 for International Master’s students.
The scholarship is aimed to cover the second year of studies.
An application form can be found at http://www.oulu.fi/tukisaatio/
html/inenglish.html and it should be submitted by April 29th 2011
(4.15pm). Requirements are; Applicant should be registered as a
degree seekingstudent (Master) at the University of Oulu. Applicant should have studied at the University of Oulu for a maximum
of two (2) academic semesters and registered as present (attendance) for the current academic year. Applicant can not be a Finnish citizen or a student who is eligible for student financial aid from
the state of Finland (KELA).
Further information from Ms. Anne Talvio ([email protected]).
Yle News
Centre, traditionally a Finnish favorite, suffered historical losses
and the True Finns attained huge
gains. In general, the evening was coloured by
jaw-dropped awe, speechlessness, shock and
dramatic status-updating on Facebook and announcements of taking up residence in London’s
Fenno-Ugric Refugee Centre. The ‘True Finn’cocktail (pure, watered Koskenkorva) did not do
much to stem sentiments. Nevertheless, there
was also joy at the success of the few studentfriendly, young Oulu candidates who attained
seats or did well in general.
At the end of the day, the fact that the National
Coalition Party (NCP) made history by becoming the majority party for the first time was
completely overshadowed by the success of the
populist True Finn party, headed by the infamous
Timo Soini. Also causing a stir in the nation was
True Finn and former singer-bodybuilder Kike
Elomaa, who got a whopping 13,000 votes in her
district (10th most nationally).
Members of parliament not to return include
Minister of Communications Suvi Lindén and
Lyly Rajala (who this campaign round managed
to disagree with himself in the same newspaper)
from the Oulu district. Notably missing will be
hardcore political fixture and Centre Party legend Paavo Väyrynen, Minister of Foreign Trade
and Development, who can now concentrate on
his presidential campaign with even more zeal.
GETTING GEARED UP FOR
WORKING LIFE!
Xinyuan Sui tells UUNO about her experiences of the Career & Competence course
In marketing terms, a successful product not only needs to have high
quality but also good promotion to inform others about the product. A
dozen “marketable” talents, including myself, participated in Career &
Competence, a coaching course held by the Career Services Centre at our
University. The course is possible through the VALOA project, a grant for
bringing work opportunities closer to students in higher education. What
is special about the course is that it is available for the first time to Oulu’s
international degree students.
Overall, I enjoyed the experience a lot! They covered the classic issues
related to career coaching such as how to find job vacancies in Finland,
As the aftermath sets in, Finland prepares for
government negotiations, headed by young
Jyrki Katainen, predicted to become the new
Prime Minister. All the party leaders are convinced that although the task is not impossible,
it most certainly will not be easy. In any case,
the Portuguese are on their toes…. as is the rest
of Europe. The new Finland might not be as proEurope as it was in the past.
In any case, the voice of Finland was heard.
Many Finns are upset about the results, some, on
the other hand, are absolutely rejoicing. However, it is safe to say that message of these elections
is that Finns need change. Perhaps the stagnant
wheels of Finnish politics have finally received
the wake-up call they need.
For more information, in-depth analyses and updates on the formation of the new government
and opposition, and to find out who get “ministerial briefcases,” as the Finns say, check out:
YLE News in English
65 Degrees North
Helsinki Times
For international media reactions check out:
Reuters
The Economist
BBC World
Wall Street Journal
polish your CV and motivation letter and prepare for an interview. In addition, the course was an opportunity for self-reflection and exploration. At
the beginning, we were asked to approach our career path as if climbing a
big tree. Together, we discussed where we are now, where we want to be
and how much we feel supported in our career endeavours.
Many students found the interview simulation very useful, especially with the added value of peer and tutor feedback. As one friend put it,
“They asked me the exactly the same thing in my interview!” This was
the most rewarding aspect of the process for me in this course. As a part
of a group I can freely share my opinions, worries and career expectations
while listening to others share their own. This is the very group support
that lets me know that I am not alone and keeps me going through the often
worrying, frustrating and even painful process of job seeking.
For more details visti www.oulu.fi/careerservices/english/
Readers’ corner
Hi, everyone!
It has already been one
month after one of the
biggest earthquakes and
tsunamis hit Japan. The
situation is getting better, but we still have
to take care about this
horrible situation. We
think everyone knows
that we’ve done a fundraising campaign from
March 16th to March
Keikai Mizuno 22nd.
We really want to say “THANK YOU” because 1486 people visited our stand and donated all in all 5425.60 euros! In addition,
everyone gave us kind words and wrote some messages on a Japanese flag. We deeply appreciated your cooperation and we don´t
know how to express our gratitude! We donated that donations to
Japan through Red Cross in Oulu and the flag is being displayed at
Tohoku University.
Yu-hsuan Lee (left) chats with fellow international students
We had a horrible disaster this time, but we learned ONE THING:
How kind people truly are and how important mutual aid is. We
are all part of this world and the ones who can make a better day!
Bringing World Press to Oulu,
One picture at a time
Kind regards,
Sakura Mikami, Miwa Kanazawa, Taro Amano, Keikai Mizuno
and Erika Takahashi
Henrik Petäistö sits down for a cup of tea with Yu-hsuan Lee to get a shot
of what next year’s World Press Photo exhibition might bring to Oulu.
Sushi for Japan - Sushi for you!
Thursday, March 31st 40 participants gathered at the Normaalikoulu kitchen to learn how to make Japanese cuisine. The cooking class
was part of the Network of International Students in Oulu(NISO)
tsunami relief project for Japan and the proceeds were donated to
Red Cross. The Master Chef, Takako Uchida, an MBA student,
provided instructions on three dishes: makisushi (Sushi roll), temakisushi (hand roll sushi) and miso soup. With the help of Japanese students, participants learned how to make sushi and how to
enjoy it without choking on the wasabi. The event raised 171 euros.
Due to the event’s popularity, NISO will be planning another round
of international cooking workshops in the near future. For more
information on what NISO is up to and pictures from the cooking
class, please visit NISO’S group page on Facebook.
Yu-hsuan Lee came to Oulu last year to complete her graduate’s degree in Education and Globalization but that was not the
only thing she had in mind – it was an opportunity to organize
something that first caught her eye several years ago. In 2006, Yuhsuan visited the World Press Photo exhibition in Taiwan where
the local coordinator inspired her to take up the same challenge
here in Oulu.
World Press Photo is an independent, non-profit organization
founded in 1955, internationally known for their annual press
photography contest. The awards ceremony is held in Amsterdam
where a traveling exhibition is assembled to await the eyes of over
a million people on their 45 country tour. On top of selecting the
winning photograph for the year, the contest selects winners in
news, sports, daily life, entertainment and nature.
Through the exhibition Yu-hsuan Lee hopes to bring about more
awareness of what happens around the world. “It’s about caring
about others,” Lee says, “and we should start with our neighborhood first.” Yu-hsuan envisions it as a opportunity to bring people
out into a public space, face-to-face with the photographs rather
than their homes, behind a screen.
“Images communicate something that goes beyond language
and that meaning is created by our understanding for what is happening in the photograph,” Yu-hsuan told me, awaiting friends for
a afternoon cup of tea. After getting to know her through our studies at the university her ambition left an impression on me.
Amid organizing Saturday get-togethers for friends and participating in benefit bake sales for Japan Yu-hsuan is struggling
to find help for Oulu’s World Press Photo exhibition scheduled
for next Spring. “Never give up!” she insists. At least this is what
inspires me to join hands with people like Yu-hsuan and believe in
something greater than myself – and hope it does the same to you.
For more details visit www.ouluworldpressphoto.org
Japanese cuisine : Teriyaki Chicken
Are you interested in cooking Japanese cuisine? Teriyaki chicken is the perfect food to start because it’s simple and easy to cook.
The word “Teriyaki” originates from the Japanese language. Now it is widely used around the world to refer to the sweet soy sauce flavor which brought
“Teriyaki” it’s fame. Some basic ingredients can be found here in Oulu:
Japanese sake can be found at Alko and mirin can be found at the Asian
market located in Kauppahalli. If you don’t have access to Japanese sake or
mirin, white wine works as a subsitute.
Teriyaki can be enjoyed with rice, in a sandwich or on a burger. Try teriyaki
on your white fish and you will be surprised how tasty it is!
Directions
(1) Coat sliced chicken with flour.
(2) Mix the water, sugar, soy sauce, Japanese sake and mirin in a bowl to
make the sauce.
(3) Heat some oil in a frying pan on medium-high heat until it is browned.
(4) Turn the chicken over to fry the other side until it is browned.
(5) Cover the pan and steam the chicken on medium heat until done.
(6) Remove the lid and pour the sauce in the pan.
(7) Simmer the chicken until the sauce becomes thick.
(8) Serve them on a plate. Scoop the sauce from the pan and pour over the
chicken.
Takako Uchida
Calendar
CONCERTS...
PEDO ROCK!
WED 27.4 FROM 10:00 PM ONWARDS
45 SPECIAL
Start your spring with Pedagogian ylioppilaat ry’s awesome rock event!!!
Tickets 3e (2e for Pedo-members)
Bands performing:
Periferia Beat
ESOM
Kirsi Helena
TEEKKARITORVET - IN WAPPU CONCERT!
STUDENT WIND ORCHESTRA
Wappu Morning 1.5 at 9:00
Windy greetings from Linnansaari
Champagne Matinee: people having their brunch, Teekkaritorvet provides the
disturbance.
Wappu Afternoon 1.5 at 14:00
Traditional Wappu concert at Tori.
Dangerous experiments and crossing of musical borders (despite the audience).
MOZART!
CHAMBER ORCHESTRA CONCERT
THU 19.5 7:00 PM SAALASTIN SALI, LINNANMAA
Oulu University Chamber Orchestra presents Mozart - Father & Son! Programme: W.A Mozart Piano Concerto in C-maj, Mozart divertimentos in D,
F and Bb-major, and Leopold Mozart’s Symphony. Programmes 5e (students/
seniors) / 10e. International intermission snacks provided by our Japanese students (proceeds go towards tsunami relief in Japan).
OTHER EVENTS..
NISO SPRING ASSEMBLY & KARAOKE PARTY
THU 28.4 18:00 - 19:00 HK 205 (Guilds’ common room)
Official assembly of Network of International Students in Oulu (NISO). Refreshments and karaoke list to be served! Contact Kiyoko if you have any questions [email protected].
Food & Drink
Blogchef.net
Ingredients
400 g chicken breast (Slice each breast into 3-4 pieces)
4 tbs sugar
4 tbs soy sauce
4 tbs Japanese sake (Gekkeikan) or white wine
4 tbs mirin (Japanese sweet cooking rice wine)
or 4 tbs. Japanese sake
or white wine mixed with 1½ tbs honey
4-5 tbs. water
wheat flour
DEVSEC - SECTION FOR DEVELOPMENT POLICY
!
WED 4 MAY 14:00 HUMUS CAFE
EW
Due to raised interest, the Student Union section formerlyN
known as KEHY
will be revived, reformed and revolutionised! The section will begin activities in the autumn, but there will be a plenary meeting on Wed 4.5. Are you
interested in working in development? What aspects of development are you
interested in learning more? How can Oulu students get involved? Come and
share your ideas. We are also looking for active students who can help us
spearhead the group.
I-SECTION
WED 4 MAY 16:00 HUMUS CAFE
Last meeting of the year! Finalizing the action plan, provision of Finnish courses for international students, getting ready for the fall, and the upcoming plans
for the new Section for Development Cooperation. If you would like to raise
an issue concerning international affairs for students, email the I-Section chairperson at [email protected].
HOMELIKE OULU
INTERNATIONAL MEETING POINT
Every Tuesday night - come meet new people, share experiences, enjoy a snack
after work or school in nice company. Different topics each week - announced
in advance. Feel free to drop by any time between 17.00-19.30 on Tuesdays in
International Activity Centre Villa Victor, Kirkkokatu 54.
More info: [email protected]
AMAZING OULU RACE
WED 11 MAY 10:00-16:00
W!
NE
Oulu’s OYY and OSAKO student unions are holding an awesome urban race
called Amazing Oulu. Teams of four students will navigate around Oulu from
one check point to another based on clues they receive after solving different
tasks. Enter the event at www.oyy.fi/amazingoulu by 1.5. Please note there is
space for 30 teams. The participation fee is 10e/team, including a Survival
Kit, and dinner and sauna after the race. The race starts from the Oulu Market
Square at 10am. During the race teams must move by bike. Buses, cars and
taxis are forbidden. The three best teams will be awarded! More info on www.
oyy.fi!
NEXT UUNO OUT IN SEPTEMBER - NEW STUDENT ISSUE... ENJOY YOUR SUMMER!