Events supporting studying and wellbeing
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Events and Groups – Autumn Semester 2025
Friends Program, Academic year 2025-2026: Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa.
Would you like to get to know more Finnish and international students?
The Friends Program brings together Finnish and international students – it’s all about meeting, making friends, and enjoying relaxed time with people from different cultures.
We meet once a month for various activities: relaxing, chatting, eating, and having fun together! The program continues throughout the academic year, and you can join at any time. The main language of the program is English, but communicating in other languages is also welcome.
The goal is to create genuine encounters and lasting friendships. Because friendship is valuable – come be a part of building meaningful connections!
Participation is free of charge.
More information and registration to Friends Program (forms.office.com)(opens a new tab)
Friends Program Spring 2026
- Sat 24.1. at 1-3pm Winter Garden visit
Thu 12.2. at 2-4pm Sledding Trip
Sat 14.3. at 12am–3pm Campus Family Day, Metropolia Myllypuro Campus
Fri 17.4. at 5-7pm Dinner With Friends
Sat 23.5. at 1-4pm Spring trip to nature
Thesis Retreat
At Hvittorp Conference Centre, Kirkkonummi, March 23 – March 27, 2026
Are you writing your thesis and need a few days just for that?
Welcome to the Thesis Writing Retreat! This retreat is for all students working on their thesis – bachelor’s, master’s, diploma work, final projects, and doctoral dissertations.
- WHAT? A four-night retreat for writing your thesis.
- WHEN? March 23 – March 27, 2026. Monday at 10:00 – Friday at 15:00
- WHERE? Hvittorp Conference Center in Masala, Kirkkonummi. You can take a local train to Masala, and from there, we will arrange rides to Hvittorp.
- WHO CAN JOIN? All students in Helsinki and Espoo Universities who are writing their thesis.
People of all religions and worldviews are welcome. - HOW MUCH DOES IT COST? The price is 80€ for full-time students and160€ for students who work alongside their studies. The price includes full board and accommodation in a private room. (Bring your own bed linen and towels.) Sauna is also available.
Most of the day is reserved for the actual writing, either in your room or together in a shared space. In addition to that there will be a few voluntary workshops related to thesis writing and mental health, some social program in the evenings (+ saunas, of course!) and an opportunity to participate in daily prayers/meditation. Mealtimes are fixed and shared. Once a day, we gather to check in and take a short break outdoors.
HOW TO SIGN UP? There are only a limited number of spots, so sign up soon! Participants are chosen in the order of registration, but first-time participants have priority. Registaration opens at 9.00 a.m.
Registration period: February 16 – March 5, 2025
Confirmation of participation: March 6, 2025
The retreat is organized by the University chaplains of Espoo and Helsinki.
For more information, contact: jyri.hakala [at] evl.fi (jyri[dot]hakala[at]evl[dot]fi)
Events organised or co-organised by FSHS can be found here. We will add information for attending and registering for the event closer to their dates. You can find full event calender also from FSHS webpage (yths.fi/en)
Monthly health info webinar in Finnish, theme: ask a physiotherapist
21 January 2026
2.30 to 3.15 pm
Monthly health info webinar in Finnish, theme: plant-based diets
9 February 2026
2 to 3 pm
Monthly health info webinar in Finnish, theme: neuropsychiatric disorders and ADHD assessments
10 March 2026
2.30 to 3.15 pm
Monthly health info webinar in Finnish, theme: burn-out risks
14 April 2026
2.30 to 3.15 pm
LGBTQIA+ in Higher Education peer support sessions
Welcome to join our English-speaking online safer space peer support sessions!
Peer support sessions are for international LGBTIQA+ students in higher education, and we wish to share the queer joy among every one of you. Hangout is an ideal place to discuss about experiences of minority stress as an international LGBTQIA+ student and share your heart and mind with others.
More information and registration on LGBTQIA+ in Higher Education peer support sessions
Mind Matters online course
The Mind Matters -online course offers tools and insights to help you promote your own mental health, interact more openly with your fellow students, and support the well-being of others. The course includes concrete ways to strengthen mental health skills and increase compassion in everyday student life.
Click here to go to the Mind Matters online course
The Eco-Crisis, Our Future and Mental health online course
The Eco-Crisis, Our Future and Mental Health online course provides information on environmental emotions and strengthening mental health, as well as tools for dealing with environmental emotions, holding space for other people’s environmental concerns, and increasing understanding between people who think differently. It contains plenty of practical ideas and exercises for strengthening well-being and ability to function at both the individual and community level.
Click here to go to the The Eco-Crisis, Our Future and Mental health online course
Learn Life Skills self help course
Welcome on a journey to learn life skills that are useful for everyone! The Life Skills Course is intended for you who are reflecting on questions related to well-being and coping. On the course, you may find answers to questions such as: What do I need in order to feel well? Where can I find strength for my daily life?
The course is done independently, and it can help you discover ways to maintain and improve your own well-being, self-care, and self-awareness. The course is based on Nyyti ry’s concept Nyytin Elämäntaitokurssi.
You will find the course on the hyvakysymys.fi platform.
Online peer support group for adults in English
- What: Guided online peer support group
- To whom: For all adults with ADHD traits
- Where: Online (Teams)
- When: On Wednesdays at 6PM (21.1., 4.2., 18.2., 4.3., 18.3. and 1.4.) The meetings last 1.5 hours.
Signing up ends 18.1.2026. Please note that by signing up you agree to attend all six (6) peer meetings.
N.B! The peer meeting can accommodate eight (8) participants. To meet in Teams, you need a device with a microphone and camera.
This event is organized by Finnish ADHD-organization ADHD-liitto.
Read more and sign up (lyyti.fi)
Story time: My ADHD
- To whom? For everyone who is interested
- Where and when? On Thursday 23.4.2026 at 5:30-7 PM Teams (in English)
Note! We do not record speeches, only real-time participation is possible.
This event is organized by Finnish ADHD-organization ADHD-liitto.
Read more and register: Story time: My ADHD
Can’t Find What You’re Looking For?
Feel free to email any staff member of Metropolia’s Student Wellbeing Services for more information at firstname.lastname(a)metropolia.fi.
You can find contact details on the Support for Student Wellbeing page under the section: Contact Information for Student Wellbeing Services Staff.