Student Roles and Support Programs at Centria 

At some point in life, everyone is called to step into a new pair of shoes, and finding oneself in a new life situation can bring growing pains in many forms. We move away from our childhood homes, begin our studies, go on exchange, search for jobs and internships, transition from student life into working life, relocate to a new city – or even to a new country. In moments like these, special situations call for special support and the guidance of those who have walked the path before us.

The Cross-Cultural Career Catalysts (4C) project developed a mentoring programme designed especially for international students. Yet a project of this kind would remain incomplete if its materials were left to gather dust in a drawer. Centria has taken the initiative to further develop the project’s best practices into course materials that serve all students alike – international and national degree students, as well as those who study in blended learning groups.

While the 4C project focused specifically on supporting students in becoming familiar with Finnish working life, Centria already offers a wide range of tutoring and support services for students. This article brings these efforts together in one place. It can be read both as a source of inspiration and as a practical guide for finding information – depending on where the reader finds themselves in their own life transition at this moment.

The course “Working life competence and career planning” can also be completed using an alternative method. In this option, the student independently finds a mentor from working life – someone with longer-term professional experience. Through one-on-one mentoring, students gain practical insights that can be difficult to access through studies alone. Meetings with the mentor focus on discussing skills required in working life, professional goals, career options, and personal development, offering valuable support for planning one’s own career path.

This alternative mode of completion will be available starting in autumn 2026. Inspiration for the course was drawn from the Cross-Cultural Career Catalyst (4C) project, funded by the Regional Council of Ostrobothnia from the appropriation allocated to supporting the sustainable growth and vitality of regions (AKKE). The duration of the project: 1.1.2024– 31.1.2026.

Tutoring positions are open to all Centria degree students, preferably those who have completed at least one semester. The application period usually opens in early January, followed by interviews in February and training in March. Tutors typically commit for one academic year, with most activities concentrated in the autumn semester. 

Tutoring can take different forms, such as peer tutoring for new students or sports tutoring through COPSA. The working language depends on the group and can be Finnish or English. 

This position is best suited for students who like to serve others, provide service to the student community and would like to have a structured responsibility but not anything too demanding. 

Student ambassadors play a key role in Centria’s applicant marketing. They share their personal study experiences through campus tours, school visits, events, social media content, and webinars. The role is flexible and based on voluntary participation. Most of the tasks include compensation depending on the activity. 

Ambassador positions are open to all Centria degree students. Applications usually take place in spring and autumn. Working hours are not fixed and students select tasks according to their schedules and interests. 

This role suits students who are confident, communicative, and interested in representing Centria publicly. Knowledge of Finnish is an advantage but not mandatory. 

Student mentors assist international students to adjust to life in Finland, academically and socially. Their work focuses on everyday life, cultural understanding, and community building. 

Application: 

Mentor positions are open to all degree students, preferably those who have completed at least one semester. Particularly international students, who have already successfully settled in Finland, and Finnish students interested in international issues are welcome to apply. Mentors work for one academic year, with contracts typically made per semester. The position involves a compensation workload of about eight hours a month, not including planning time. 

Mentors organise activities, share realistic information about living in Finland, and encourage active integration. This is a demanding position that needs commitment and intercultural sensitivity compared to tutoring. 

Centria trainee program is a paid internship program that aims to foster internationalization and the employment opportunities of students in the region. Each semester, about six positions for trainees are provided, which are typically arranged as tandem pairs of an international and a Finnish student. 

The program is open to all degree students, especially final-year students. Applications usually open in spring and autumn. The internship lasts three months with a workload of 30 hours per week. 

Trainees acquire work experience, enhance language proficiency, build networks, and obtain a certificate of work. This position would suit the students who are almost completing their studies and are able to commit to the regular working schedule. 

Typical tasks include event support, project assistance, marketing tasks, administrative tasks, data collection, communication, etc. 

The Finnish language discussion groups provide the international students a platform to practice speaking Finnish in a comfortable setting. These informal lessons are rather about everyday communication than grammar, and hence, are open to students of all levels of the language. It is aimed at developing the trust in speaking Finnish and promoting the use of the language in everyday cases like shopping, social and communication at the workplace. 

The discussion groups are normally organized regularly, in most cases weekly, and are facilitated by members of staff or volunteers. The participation is voluntary and students may join irrespective of their previous knowledge of Finnish. These groups are significant in helping students to integrate into the Finnish society and enhance their chances of long-term employment by offering them a low-pressure environment to practice the language. 

The integration services offered by Centria are aimed at ensuring that international students get to settle down in life in Finland and acclimatize themselves to their new academic and social streams. The support starts even prior to arrival and is maintained during the initial months of study. These services include more practical issues like housing, residence permit, general life in Finland and the knowledge about Finnish culture and society. 

Besides the practical guidance, integration services promote the involvement in the language learning process, community work, and opportunity to participate in the networking process in the region. With integration services providing a structured support in the initial phases of the students’ studies, the services assist the students in feeling welcome, lessening the feeling of uncertainty and aiding transition into the academic life and daily life in Finland. 

Alumni breakfast and other networking activities give the current student, graduates and staff the chance to interact in a casual environment. The events enable the students to get insight into the life of the alumni, learn more by their experiences and create professional networks that may assist them to get any employment or internship opportunity in the future. 

Alumni events are voluntary and do not usually demand a long-term commitment. By discussions and informal conversations students will gain a better understanding of working life after graduation and keep being in touch with the Centria community even after their studies. Collaboration between education and working life is also enhanced by alumni engagement. 

The career and work life services at Centria assist the students during their course work to assist them in preparation for work and have a career in the professional field. The services provide counseling on job seeking, writing of CV and application, interview, internship and practical training. The support can be given in Finnish and English and is offered to the students of various stages of their education. 

The career services are delivered in the form of workshops, personal guidance, and career related events. Through these services, students are able to improve their job application skills, get a better sense of what the employer demands, and enhance their preparedness to work in Finland or anywhere in the world. Such services are supplementary to those in academic education since they bridge the gap between education and career planning. 

Centria’s student programs offer multiple pathways for involvement, each with a different level of responsibility, time commitment, and professional value. Knowing these differences can enable students to select opportunities that fit their goals, study stage and available time. 

Rather than overlapping, these programs complement one another by supporting students at different stages of their academic and professional journeys.