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International House South Karelia newsletter

PUBLISHED 12/17/2025, 12:24

Tapahtuman Career Club osallistujia keskustelemassa pöydän äärellä.

Welcome to the last newsletter of the year! In this newsletter, we look back on the past year 2025 and share tips for celebrating the holiday season in South Karelia. The newsletter is aimed at international residents who have moved to the area and network partners who support integration.

Highlights of 2025

The opening of International House South Karelia on August 29, 2025, marked the communal start of a new operating model. International House events have been organized in collaboration with network partners, with a group of volunteers joining forces with representatives from various organizations. The events attracted nearly 1,000 visitors in 2025. A big thank you to all the organizers and participants!

The Welcome events that started in the fall have provided information and networking opportunities for new residents. FridayBabbles and Career Clubs have brought together a multilingual community and strengthened networks. 

We also launched the International House South Karelia website, newsletter and social media channels.

The International House service point opened at the Suomi-piste in the Lappeenranta government office building in December 2025. The holiday season also affects the opening hours of our services in Imatra and Lappeenranta. You can find up-to-date information on opening hours on our website and by following our social media.

Changes in other service points

The renovation of the Lappeenranta Main Library has been completed and the library moved back to its original location from the spare premises in the IsoKristiina shopping center. The Winkki customer service center also moved from the city hall to the main library.
Read more (in Finnish): Lappeenrannan pääkirjasto Parvi avautuu yleisölle 10.12.2025 (lappeenranta.fi)

Winter activities and events

Stay active this winter via the South Karelia hobby calendar and event calendar or explore tips on our website. See all International House events in the South Karelia event calendar: International House South Karelia. Check out GoSaimaa website or VisitLappeenranta and City of Lappeenranta on social media for local tips, events, and hidden gems!

News from the Network

Free Finnish for Working Life courses continue in the TSEK project in spring 2026

In the joint TSEK – Finnish for Working Life in South Karelia project by Adult Education Centre of South Karelia, Joutseno College, and Kesyli, immigrant women’s access to employment is promoted by offering free Finnish language training. This year, about 90 students in Lappeenranta, Imatra, and Parikkala participated in six different types of training programs. The excellent feedback from the courses shows that there is a strong need for Finnish for Working Life training in the region. Read more about the spring 2026 courses https://ekko.fi/tsek/

Stay connected!

Want to share your event, course, or service with internationals in South Karelia? Our next newsletter will be published in January. Please send your materials (in Finnish and English) by 10.1.2026, via link > QuestBack

The International House operating model is part of the South Karelia Employment Area's services. Information for personal customers, employers and entrepreneurs can be found here: South Karelia Employment Area (lappeenranta.fi/en)

Photo from the Career Club event.


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