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S T U D Y G U I D E

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C H E C K L I S T B E F O R E Y O U S T A R T S T U D Y I N G

Become a member of Novium and order your student card at novium.fi

Fill in forms for receiving the study grant and housing supplement. For more information visit kela.fi/web/en

Get a student apartment

Get to know your new hometown!

Make sure you know where the closest grocery stores and pharmacies are etc.

Make sure to take part in the freshmen events!

Follow Novium at Instragram @noviums and Facebook

@noviums so you don't miss anything important!

Download the app Tuudo, where you'll find your schedule, a map of the school, lunch menus etc.

Turku: tys.fi Vasa: voas.fi

Raasepori: kustfast.fi/en/home

WELCOME

TUTORS

STUDENT SPORTS &

PARTICIPATION

NOVIUM PRODUCTS &

TUUDO APP

NOVIUM'S ORGANIZATION STUDENT ASSOCIATIONS

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MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS 14

STUDENT ASSOCIATIONS AT NOVIA

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CONTACT US

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THIS IS NOVIUM

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6 EXPERIENCE THE

UNIVERSITY LIFE

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12

7 8 9

11

STUDENT HEALTH SERVICES

C O N T E N T

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STUDY CARD

Welcome "gulis"! (freshman)

From now on, a new chapter in your life begins! Therefore, I would like to congratulate you for your study place at Novia. It's only been a year since I was in the same situation as you. New school, new place of study and a completely new everyday life. I remember how much support I got from the tutors who were there for us "gulisar" every day.

Novium's board and staff supports all students at Novia's different campuses. We are here to review issues that affect the student's everyday life and also to keep track of university policies. Novium also educate tutors and arrange events. As a member of Novium, you will get e.g. cheaper admissions to our events, a student card and possibility to attend tutor educations.

If you see us on campus, you can pull our sleeves, contact us on social media, go to the office or simply give us a call if you are thinking of something.

See you on campus and good luck with your new chapter in life!

Hello all students, I would like to greet all new

students warmly welcome to fine Novia. These years of study, will be among the best years of your life and it will be something you can look back to when you are working.

The student union at Novia will ensure that Novia students will enjoy their study life, and will be offered all the opportunities that are available. Within Novium, there are several experienced people who are happy to help and answer your questions. Novium is active on all campuses and consists of staff, board, council, tutors and a few committees.

Novium has the students best in mind, and we will provide information regarding student health care, student support and changes in the law. Remember to enjoy your study time and shape it according to your wishes and need. Good luck!

We meet when it is time!

W I L M A W E S T E R L U N D

T Ä H T I - T U U L I A T O R E N I U S

R A S M U S M A T T U S

Chairman of the Board

Tutor

Chairman of the Council Hi there "gulis"!

Finally, the first year of your studies has begun and we would like to wish you all warm welcome to Novia University of Applied Sciences.

Many of you have moved from your hometown to a new place of study and everything might feel new and exciting in the beginning. You have also received a lot of new information regarding your studies. Maybe you feel like there are so many new things

that you have to remember right at the beginning. Amidst all feelings of nervousness and anxiety, you should remember that you are not alone and that you have chosen a very safe school. At Novia you will get all the support you need from our teachers and

staff. As well as from your tutors, who are always there for you.

You can always ask your tutors questions about the studies or anything else for that matter. You can ask tutors to keep you company or, for example, take a cup of coffee together. We will do our utmost to make you all feel comfortable and welcome! We also

would like to encourage you to take advantage of this period of time when you are studying - make new friends and follow your passion!

We wish you a warm welcome to Novia!

Novium represents the entire student community at Novia UAS and each year  new student representatives are appointed.

Everyone who has paid the membership fee, i.e. owns a student card, is allowed to take part and vote in the elections that are held at the beginning of November each year.  A delegation, which is the highest decision-making body, is selected. The delegation then selects the board of the student union. It is the board that,

together with the staff, takes care of the daily activities.

In addition, there are offices with Novium staff in Vasa, Turku, and Raasepori. The staff act as a support for the boards activities.

The staff consists of a general secretary, tutor secretary, student affairs secretary and a secretary of information. For contact information, go to the last page of this guide.

Novium looks after your interests as a student and makes sure that you are as comfortable as possible in your new environment and day- to-day life!

We work proactively to lobby for the students' best when decisions are made. We have student

representatives in Novia’s decision- making bodies. We also help when problems arise - if the credits do not come in on time or if you feel mistreated.

We work with educational issues on a local level, regarding studies at Novia UAS, and on a national level.

We also work with social issues such as financial aid, housing, exercise and health.

"We know your rights as a student, so contact us if you have any

questions about your studies!"

Novium is the Student Union at Novia the University of Applied Sciences

T H I S I S N O V I U M !

The student union aims at keeping you updated with important and interesting information regarding your student life.

For more current information, visit Noviums homepage at novium.fi. There you can also order your student card, get information about upcoming

NOVIUM KEEPS YOU UPDATED

        events and find contact information to our staff and offices.

You can also find Novium on Facebook and Instagram

(@noviums). Novium also has its own section in the Tuudo app.  If you hear of something that might interest other students at Novia UAS, please feel free to contact us at novium@novia.fi.

NOVIUM IS THERE

FOR YOU

THE TUTORS HELP YOU THROUGH YOUR FIRST YEAR AS A STUDENT

You are not alone! Every new group of students get their own tutors, usually someone that study the same subjects that you do.

Remember that the tutors are there for you, no questions is “too dumb”, and no problem is “too small” - you can always turn to your tutor!

The international tutors take care of the exchange students and the international degree students at Novia UAS. For example, they organize gatherings, events and happenings. They also know their way around in Finland and will show you how things work in Finland and on your campus.

PR TUTORS TUTORS

INTERNATIONAL TUTORS

Tutors are the ones who guide you and show you around during your first year of studies at Novia UAS. They help you get acquainted with your new campus, hometown, your fellow students, and other necessities. They will also arrange events and other gatherings for you and your classmates.

The most important task the tutors have is to make you feel comfortable with your new life - the study life.

Novium also educates PR-tutors, international tutors and study-tutors.

The study tutors help new students with courses that might be unclear or difficult. They can teach you how to think in new ways, explain difficult things or just give you some advice to help you on your way.

A student who wants to become a study tutor doesn’t have to be some kind of extra teacher or Albert

Einstein. A nurse student who is good at mathematics can give her or his friends some extra help with the medical counting, or a student with a useful study technique could help others to structure their studies. If this sounds like you - try out the study tutor education!

As a study tutor you’ll keep close contact with the teacher of the subject you want to help others with.

The teacher will in return help you organize study circles.

The study tutors meet every year in April to participate in the education.

You can also join the team and get to help your study friends!

STUDY TUTORS

A PR-tutor is a living promotion pillar for Novia the University of Applied Sciences. They

participate in conferences and visit schools to teach the students about their options after graduating. Since the missions can be anywhere in Finland, the PR-tutor get to explore new places and citys.

However, the travelling isn’t a must, the PR-tutor can have the meetings in their hometown as well.

The PR-tutors at Novia receive a small salary and study points for their efforts. A win/win situation!

Beside the salary and the points, a PR-tutor also learns how to keep a presentation, perform in front of a bigger audience and make new friends.  

As a Novium member you will get the AMK-study card for free, which means you will get discounts on train and buss tickets, as well as discount at the school lunch and in several stores and restaurants.

Read more about the student card at www.novium.fi

You will get cheaper entrance fees to Novium events, among other things the BTS-party.

Have you ever felt unfairly treated or maybe got indisposed treated by a teacher or a student? Do you feel discriminated or improper criticized? The delegate of harassment is there for you, who have

experienced any of these.

The student affairs secretary of Novium acts as the delegate of harassment. Contact the delegate of harassment, who provides professional secrecy, by this e-mail: hej@novia.fi. Don't hesitate to take

contact, even about smaller issues. You're allowed to be anonymous.

In addition to the international tutors, Noviums international operations are taken care of by the international committee of Novium. The committee is a collection of international tutors and students

who wish to work for the comfort of the international students. The committee also strives towards making it easier for Finnish students to study abroad, and to encourage them to explore a new

country.

As a Novium member you are allowed to attend the tutor education and become a tutor. This is an excellent way of getting new friends, as well as supporting new students and give them an amazing

start of their new study life.

You have to be a member of Novium to vote in the student union election. The membership also implies that you can run for election or become a part of the Board.

M E M B E R S H I P B E N E F I T S

STUDY CARD FOR FREE

H A R A S S M E N T A G E N T S

NOVIUM GOES INTERNATIONAL CHEAPER ENTRANCE FEES

TUTORING

VOTING AND RUNNING IN THE ELECTION

If you are a member of the Student Union of Novia, Novium, you can enjoy many benefits during your years of studying. For instance, you can order a student card for free. The student card gives you cheaper train and bus tickets with VR and Matkahoulto, as well as discounts in the school cafeteria.

Being a Novium member also means that you'll get cheaper entrance fees at events and legal advising for free. Please notice that the student card is only for degree students at Novia. If you study at the Open University, please contact us and we'll help you further.

O R D E R Y O U R S T U D E N T C A R D

REGISTER HERE

7€ for one semester 10€ for an academic year

Note that you have to register yourself before you can order a student card. You need the card to be able to use the discounts mentioned above. You'll find a guide below on how to register and order your student card.

Novia UAS i co-operating with Åbo Akademi University in order to arrange sport activities for students.  Information about sports activities in general can be found on the “ÅA-Motion” webpage:

abo.fi/student/motion

If you are studying in Raasepori or Pietarsaari, it might be a good idea to ask local sports associations or student associations what exercise services they offer for students.

VAASA TURKU

S T U D E N T S P O R T S

PARTICIPATE IN THE WORK OF THE STUDENT UNION!

Do not hesitate to get in touch with Novium's staff and Board! We will help you with small and big issues.

We are here for you! Remember, the student union is nothing without its members!

Vote in the student union election, which is arranged every year in November. If you would like to, you can run for election in the student union, when the delegation is elected. If that’s not for you, then the most important thing to do is to vote and make your voice heard! Contact Novium at novium@novia.fi  and simply write “Candidate” in the message field if you are interested to run for the election. We will contact you!

The international committee, the marketing committee, the tutor committee and the event committee strive to arrange different happenings together with the members of the board. In the different committees you can make an impact and work with the issues that interests you. If you would like to join any of the committees, contact Novium by sending an e- mail to novium@novia.fi and write “Interested in committee work” in the message field and we will contact you!

Would you like to get to know new people, practice your language skills and get credits for being an active tutor? Send an e-mail to novium@novia.fi and write “I want to become a tutor” in the message field. Also write if you would like to be a tutor, PR-tutor, International tutor och Study tutor. We will contact you!

Become a student body representative in any of Novias' student bodies or work groups. Contact Novium when we are searching for new student representatives and let us know that you are interested. This way, you could have the possibility to affect the work of e.g. the management group at your campus.

 VOTE IN THE ELECTION

PARTICIPATE IN THE COMMITTEE WORK

BECOME A TUTOR

BECOME A STUDENT BODY REPRESENTATIVE

the exercise services in Turku at campussport.fi

You will find information about the exercise services in Vaasa at blogs2.abo.fi/aausportsvasa/

Novium sells its products at the offices in Vaasa, Turku and Raasepori. Our range consists of overall patches, Student Union ribbons, song books and other stuff.

Pop by our offices for some shopping!

N O V I U M P R O D U C T S

T U U D O A P P

In Tuudo App, you'll find all the information you need during your study year. Here you'll see your schedule, maps of the school area, your electronic student card, and lunch menus. In addition, both Novium and Novia share information and news through the app. Information about events, happenings, study tips and much more!

Novium also has its own section in Tuudo. There you will easily find the most important information concerning Novium, for instance, contact details, opening hours for the offices and current events.

Download the Tuudo App to your phone or tablet and log in with the same login ID as you use when you're logging in on a computer at campus. If you have any problems or questions, don't hesitate to ask.

Exchange students from another EU or EEA country or Switzerland, and whose stay in Finland is temporary, are entitled to necessary medical treatment by the public health care services. All you need is your European Health Insurance Card. The charges will then be the same as for local residents.

Novia also recommends all exchange students to sign a private insurance, covering all other costs for health care offered by both public and private care services.

S T U D E N T H E A L T H S E R V I C E S

Nyyti is a support center for students, that promotes and supports students' mental well-being and health. You can visit their web page nyyti.fi for information, tips and  guidance regarding anything that concerns your day-to-day life as a student.

During the autumn they arrange Nyyti talks - a group chat for sharing ideas and experiences. The chat discusses various themes that affect students' everyday lives. All students are welcome, it’s free of charge, and no prior registration is needed. For more information, visit:

nyyti.fi/en/opiskelijoille/chat/

NYYTI

Listed below are the public care services available in the region for your campus.

Pietarsaari

sochv.jakobstad.fi/en/

Raasepori

raseborg.fi/social-och-halsovard/halso- och-sjukvard/halsovardscentral/

Vaasa

vaasa.fi/en/living/health-and- wellbeing/health-station-services/

Turku

turku.fi/en/health-and-social- services/health-services

EUROPEAN HEALTH CARE INSURANCE CARD

PUBLIC CARE SERVICES

A party at the local club where new and old students meet and spend time together. A perfect opportunity

to get to know new people! 

BTS-PARTY

E X P E R I E N C E A B U N C H O F E V E N T S A N D A C T I V I T I E S !

The election day is in the beginning of November. At this point the future of the students is decided. If you are a Novium member you can vote or run as a candidate for the election.

You can become a tutor by participating in different educations.

You can choose between: study tutor, pr-tutor or international tutor. There

is also an education for the Board members..

A sledging competition organized in February. The main purpose of

the event is to have fun in the snow and meet new people.

The annual ball are usually celebrated with a three course dinner, speeches,

and dancing. It is a formal setting with evening gowns and suits! The

after party lets you party and celebrate Noviums birthday for as long as you want! The following day a

“silliz” is arranged to share last night's highlights. Everyone is

welcome!

A week event in Vaasa with several different events each day. Pampas is another word for Ostrobothnia where the national day, “Pampas national day”, is celebrated on Friday with an olympiad during the day and a big party at night.  On the

following day a “silliz” is yet again organized!

Students from different schools gather, wearing their overalls and

graduation caps, to  welcome spring and celebrate labour day together. The celebrations start on

the last day of April and continue on the first of May.

Once a month Novium invites all students to coffee at the offices. You

can choose between coffee and tea, and of course we have something

sweet to offer you as well.

Other events will hopefully take place during the year. keep your eyes open and participate in as many as you can to make the most out of your student life! But remember to follow the covid restrictions carefully!

THE ANNUAL BALL

ELECTION

EDUCATION

PAMPAS WEEK 

FASTLASKIAINEN

VAPPEN

NOVIUM COFFEE

N O V I U M ' S O R G A N I Z A T I O N

ELECTION AND THE COUNCIL

Everyone who is a member of Novium has the possibility to both run for candidate and vote in the election. The election is arranged every year in November. At the election the council of Novium is elected for the following year. The council is the highest decision-making authority in Novium and has 15 members. The members make decisions about business plan and budget. The board is designated by the council.

The board takes care of the Student Union's daily activities. The board members have their own area of responsibility, and the work is supervised by the chairman of the board. The board makes sure that the daily operations complies with the business plan.

Everyone who runs in the election has to belong to an electoral coalition (a group of people who has the same interests). The electoral coalition doesn't need to be registrated, it's enough if you fill in the form and collect as many signatures as needed. To create an electoral coalition, you need to be a Novium member and you can only found one electoral coalition a year. All electoral coalitions are founded differentiated every year. 

The central administration of Novium announce the election and makes sure that there is information and entry forms available. They also make sure that the election is carried out correctly.

The board appoints committees. The committees are there to engage the students in the planning and implementation of Novium's different operations. A board member always conduct the committees. Right now there are seven committees in Novium;

the committee of tutoring, the committee of PR, the committee of economy, the committee of international business, the committee of educational politics, the committee of culture and the committee of merits.

THE BOARD

THE ELECTORAL COALITION

THE CENTRAL ADMINISTRATION

THE COMMITTEES

At a sitz you sit at long tables and sing, eat and drink. Some sitzs can be theme parties where you dress up and play games. These kind of parties are usually arranged in the student associations' clubhouses or at a bar. The price is usually pretty low and often some sort of drink is included in the price. The dress code is always your overall if nothing else has been decided. For the freshmen a “learn how to sitz”-sitz is organized to get you started!

The annual ball is a more formal type of party. Men are supposed to wear a dark suit or a tuxedo while women are supposed to wear an evening gown. Usually, it is the student unions or associations that arrange these parties and you celebrate the union's/association's birthday. The party begins with a "solennakt", where the guests bring forth their gifts or greetings. These events are a bit more expensive, but it is defiantly worth it! A three course dinner with drinks is served while speeches and songs are performed. After the dinner there is dancing and a “nachspiel” for the rest of the night. The day after there is a “silliz” (a sort of breakfast sitz) to which you are supposed to wear your overall.  

Almost all universities and unions/associations have their own different colored overalls.

The student associations are making sure the students get their overalls. You decorate your overall with patches that you can get when you participate in different events of sitzs. 

In addition to Novium, there are also student associations. They arrange parties (“sitz”) and other events during the year. Many of the student associations have club-houses or offices where legendary events have taken place. The student associations put together the “Gulis- intagning” for freshman students. They also provide you with an overall and badges. Contact your student association when you begin your studies and you will have friends for life.

S T U D E N T A S S O C I A T I O N S

SITZ

THE ANNUAL BALL

OVERALL

The student association at Novia's campus in Raasepori. For more information, visit novium.fi/eka

Skuffis is the student association of the agrologists in Ekenäs.  The association  was founded in the beginning of the 20th century and is still going strong!  Our motto is  “As a Skuffis you’re tougher”. Contact us at skuffiselevkar@novia.fi

The student association FILICIA was founded in 1974. We are active so that the engineer- and business students at Vaasa can enjoy their lives as college students as much as possible. We are very fun to be around, don’t believe everything you hear about us engineers! Overall colour is yellow. filicia.novia.fi

Spiritus Forstis is the student association for those who study to become forestry engineers at Campus Raasepori.

novium.fi/spiritus-forstis

ÅKA is the student association for Novia students in Turku. The associations office and space is located at Nunnegatan. A member of ÅKA is recognized by their  happy mood and their pink overalls. Visit our blog at abokaravdelning.com

S T U D E N T A S S O C I A T I O N S A T N O V I A

N.U.D. are located in Vaasa at Seriegatan. There are  nurse-, midwife-, social work-students as well as stylist and beautician students. Those who study welfare wear white overalls, while the rest wear green overalls. Visit N.U.D. on Facebook or on nudrf.com

The student association for Novias maritime management students at Hertig Johans parkgatan in Turku.

Visit ENÅ at ena.com

Skruvster is the student association for all Novia UAS students in Pietarsaari. We aim to make the study life as fun and pleasant as possible through events, contact with other student associations, as well as through local advocacy for students. If you spot a light blue overall, you’ve spotted a Skruvster member! You can reach us on Facebook, Instagram, and through e-mail: skruvster@novia.fi

Vita Hjälmen is the student association for the construction students in Raasepori.

novium.fi/vita-hjalmen  

Wasa svenska tradenomförening (W.s.T.F) is a newly founded student association for all business administration students in Vaasa.

We're here to create a community among business admnistration students by organizing events.

novium.fi/wstf

EKA

SKUFFIS

FILICIA R.F.

SPIRITUS FORSTIS

ÅKA

N.U.D R.F.

ENÅ

SKRUVSTER

VITA HJÄLMEN

W.S.T.F

CONTACT US

CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD Wilma Westerlund

+358 44 0567474 so-novium@novia.fi

SECRETARY GENERAL Joanna Forss

+358 50 527 2284 joanna.forss@novia.fi

SECRETARY OF INFORMATIO N Petra Mattsson +358 44 762 3690 petra.mattsson@novia.fi

VISIT OUR OFFICES!

Vaasa

Wolffskavägen 33 65200 Vasa

Follow us on social media!

TUTOR SECRETARY Julia Mård

+358 50 527 2355 julia.mard@novia.fi

SECRETARY OF STUDENT AFFAIRS

Mikaela Lindeman +358 44 780 5092

mikaela.lindeman@novia.fi

Raasepori Turku

Raseborgsvägen 9 Henriksgatan 7 10600 Ekenäs 20500 Åbo