1. The Student Union of the University of Vaasa Johanna Luomala member of the VYY board International Affairs Oskari Mäkelä Secretary of Student Interests

2. Welcome to Vaasa! Student Unions in Finnish Universities The Student Union of the University of Vaasa (VYY) –Supervision of interests –How to join –Services Student card More information

3. Student Unions in Finnish Universities The Student Union –Represents the students within the university community and in public –Finnish universities are required by law to have a student union Board (6-10 members) –responsible of operative management Representative council (30 representatives) –Highest decision-making body –Elected every 2 years (next election in 2017)

4. Student Unions in Finnish Universities Mandatory membership –For students aiming for Batchelor’s or Master’s degree –Annual fee –Fee is paid when joining Voluntary membership –For exchange students and doctoral students –Exchange student members get full membership benefits, doctoral students only get local benefits

5. The Student Union of the University of Vaasa (VYY) VYY = Vaasan Yliopiston Ylioppilaskunta –Approximately 4200 members –Founded in 1968 –Currently 7 board members and 30 representatives Purpose of VYY is –To supervise students’ interests –To arrange services for students –To promote the personal development and aspirations of students

6. Supervision of interests The Student Union’s responsibility is to look after the student’s interests –On campus Exam results on time Quality of food –In Vaasa Housing Safety and traffic –Nationally Tuition fee matters Student welfare

7. Services The Student Union provides many services –Parties and other cultural activities Information about parties is also available in English ALL STUDENTS are welcome to all our events and activities –Other recreational activities –Advisory services –Student magazine –Rental facilities –Student card –Health care: YTHS (FSHS= Finnish Student Health Service)

8. Benefits of being a member – www.vyy.fi The Student Health care services (YTHS) www.yths.fi/en Local and nationwide student discounts: vyy.fi / frank.fi Student priced railway tickets (VR) Free Student calendar Facility renting for member price: - Leipis sauna and conference facilities - Domus Bothnica (Wärtsilä-hall and ABB-Sauna)

9. How to join Pay the membership fee –Autumn or spring semester 76€, whole Academic year 142€ –With cash or card at the Student Union Service office or in WebOodi with credit card / internet banking Registration into the University registry is made by the International Office After joining you can order your student card (see frank.fi for more information!)

10. Service office Open Tue-Thu 10am–2pm and Fri 10am–1pm Located on campus in the Domus Bothnica building

11. Student card To order a student card online you need –A picture of yourself in.jpeg format –A credit card of Finnish bank account –Your student number Go to frank.fi/en/ Fill out the application Pay the card (15,10€) - Visa Electron is also accepted! Exchange students, master’s degree students = blue card Post graduate students = green card If you don’t have a credit card or bank account, the card can be ordered from the Student Union

12. Digital Student Card 1.Go to frank.fi/en/ 2.Download Frank App (available for iOS and Android phones) 3.Follow the directions online to activate your digital student card 4.Enjoy your student discounts! In case you have any problems, email info@frank.fi

13. More information www.vyy.fi Follow us on social media: –Facebook: VYY – Vaasan yliopiston ylioppilaskunta –Twitter: VYYtweets –Instagram: Ylioppilaskunta –Snapchat: vyysnap Student Union’s office in Domus Bothnica –Secretariat and the VYY board

14. Language buddy activity 2016 Want to improve your Finnish skills? Or want to learn Swedish? Or would you like to learn some other language? Then get yourself a language buddy! –If you want to try to find a language buddy, send an email to edunvalvontasihteeri@vyy.fi, telling which language you would be interested in learning, and which language you would be able to teach. –You can get 2 ECTS credits from this activity. In order to receive 2 ECTS credits you will have to participate in the two meetings, have 30 hours of language buddy meetings with your pair, and write a report and present it orally at the final meeting. –More information on VYY’s website vyy.fi or from the Secretary of Student Interests edunvalvontasihteeri@vyy.fi –If you are interested, send us an email before Wednesday the 14 of September 2016!

15. Thank you! Welcome to the Student Union!