Writers: Hien Pham and Udhari Piumi
As the spring semester is coming to an end and we look forward to an exciting summer, the HAMKO International Team is taking a moment to look back on its first year.
Why was the HAMKO International Team founded?
The team was founded in autumn 2025 to create a stronger connection and more accessible link between international students, HAMKO, and the whole student community at HAMK. Its key goal has been to make sure that international students’ voices, ideas, and experiences are heard. The team also wants to help international students understand better what is student union and encourage more students to join activities, events, and discussions.
The team was formed because many international students may not fully understand what a student union is or how it works in Finland. In some countries, the word “union” may associate them with political structures in their home countries. To address this, the International Team aimed to create an easier and more welcoming way for students to participate, share ideas, and feel connected.
What has the team done during its first year?
During the past year, the International Team has focused on listening, sharing experiences, discussing challenges and developing ideas together.
Throughout the year, the team has met both online and face to face. Students from different campuses have had the opportunity to introduce their study environments, share their experiences, and discuss topics that are important to international student life. These discussions have included communication, student services – career services, Finnish language learning, career support, and ways to bring Finnish and international students closer together.
The team has also had valuable discussions with HAMK staff, for example Career Services, and communication professionals. These meetings gave students a chance to share feedback and ideas directly with people who can improve student services and support at HAMK.
One of the most important themes raised was Finnish language learning. Students highlighted how spoken Finnish is essential for daily life, internships, and employment in Finland. Another important topic was improving communication so international students can more easily find information about events, services, and opportunities. This topic was listened to by different departments at HAMK, and concrete steps have already been taken to support students better. For example, HAMK is offering the Finnish language skills at the A2 level course this summer. In addition, a new service has been launched where students can practise Finnish for the workplace with the support of Finnish-language career counsellor.
These are encouraging first steps and show how student feedback can help create meaningful development. For many international students, learning Finnish is not only about language. It is also an important key to integration, confidence, career opportunities, and feeling more connected to life in Finland
Wrap-up of the year and future steps
This first year has shown that international students bring valuable experiences, fresh perspectives, and motivation to develop student life at HAMK. The future of the team will continue to be shaped by the students who take part in it, and we hope to welcome new active and enthusiastic members in the years to come.
The HAMKO International Team aims to create even more opportunities for Finnish and international students to meet, interact, and learn from each other from the very beginning of their studies. By working together, we bring diverse cultures, experiences, and ideas to strengthen and improve student life for international students at HAMK.
Together, we can continue building a more welcoming, connected, and inclusive student community for everyone.
HAMKO International Team 2025–2026 Team Members
First-ever HAMKO International team started their year together in autumn 2025. The team includes students from different campuses and degree programmes at HAMK:
- Udhari Piumi – Evo, Sustainable Forest Management
- Wenqi Shen – Forssa, ICT, Circular Economy
- Vishan Warnakulasuriya – Hämeenlinna, Nursing
- Hien Pham- Hämeenlinna, Smart and Sustainable Design
- Thajanga Thuduwage, Hämeenlinna, Construction Engineering
- Gayashini Sudasinghe – Lepaa, Professional Horticulture
- Keerthilanka Waidyage – Lepaa, Professional Horticulture
- Ștefan Radu – Mustiala, Climate Smart Agriculture
- Kalum Udumalagala Gamage – Mustiala, Climate Smart Agriculture