SEAMK Summer School
Find Your Finnish Connection
Language. Culture. Nature. Heritage.
Discover Finland through a welcoming four-day summer school experience designed especially for Finnish Americans and people with Finnish roots.
Learn practical Finnish, experience local culture and nature, explore your heritage, and discover everyday life in Finland at SEAMK, Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences.
No previous knowledge of Finnish required
Location: Seinäjoki University of Applied Science, Kampusranta 11, 60320, Seinäjoki, Finland
Timing: June 2027
Duration: 4 days, Monday–Thursday
Cohort 1: June 14- 17, 2027
Cohort 2: June 21- 24, 2027
Cohort size: Max. 20 participants
Programme style: Light academic learning + cultural immersion + local experiences
Your Roots. Your Finland. Your Summer.
Do you have Finnish roots and want to build a more personal connection with Finland?
The SEAMK Summer School 2027 offers an opportunity to experience Finland through language, education, food, culture, nature and local life.
This is not simply a sightseeing programme. It is a meaningful educational journey designed to help you experience Finnish culture from the inside.
During four immersive days, you will study at SEAMK Campus, explore Seinäjoki and the surrounding region, meet members of the local community, and reflect on what Finnish heritage means to you.
Come as a guest. Leave with a deeper connection.
What Will You Experience?
Learn greetings, pronunciation, useful expressions and practical phrases for everyday situations.
The Finnish language sessions are designed for complete beginners and focus on learning through conversation, activities and real-life examples.
No previous knowledge of Finnish is required.
Discover the customs and traditions that shape everyday life in Finland.
Explore topics such as:
- Finnish coffee culture
- Silence and personal space
- Sauna traditions
- Finnish holidays and celebrations
- Food and local products
- Everyday wellbeing
- Finnish approaches to nature and sustainability
Nature is an important part of Finnish identity and everyday life.
Learn about Finland’s forests, lakes, summer cottages, outdoor traditions and the connection between nature and wellbeing.
The programme may include a local nature visit, an outdoor group activity and a picnic-style Finnish coffee break, depending on weather and final arrangements.
Experience learning at SEAMK, a Finnish University of Applied Sciences.
Learn about the Finnish education system and explore SEAMK’s practical approach to education, innovation and working-life cooperation.
Programme themes may include:
- International business
- Sustainable food systems
- Technology and automation
- Hospitality and tourism
- Health and wellbeing
You may also meet SEAMK students, student ambassadors, teachers and other members of the university community.
What does Finnishness mean today?
Through guided reflection and group activities, you will explore Finnish identity, Finnish-American connections and your own family story.
You do not need to know your complete family history. Whether you have a detailed family tree or only know that someone in your family came from Finland, you are welcome.
Four Days. One Meaningful Journey. Each day combines learning, exploration and opportunities to connect.
First Impressions of Finland
Begin your experience with a warm welcome to SEAMK and an introduction to Finland, Seinäjoki and South Ostrobothnia.
Programme highlights:
- Welcome session and introductions
- SEAMK Campus tour
- Programme orientation
- Introduction to Finland and Seinäjoki
- Finnish Language Basics 1
- Guided Seinäjoki city experience
- Visit to the Aalto Centre
- Optional welcome dinner and social programme
Finnish Language, Food, Nature and Everyday Culture
Explore how Finnish language, food, traditions, nature and wellbeing are connected to everyday life.
Programme highlights:
- Finnish Language Basics 2
- Everyday Finnish words and travel phrases
- Finnish culture and etiquette workshop
- Coffee culture and sauna traditions
- Finnish nature and sustainability
- Finnish food workshop or tasting
- Local food, nature or heritage visit
- Optional games, sauna or lakeside experience
Finnish Education, Innovation and Working Life
Discover Finnish education, SEAMK’s areas of expertise and the working life of the Seinäjoki region.
Programme highlights:
- Introduction to Finnish education
- Introduction to SEAMK
- Interactive learning sessions
- Conversation with SEAMK students or student ambassadors
- Local company, innovation, culture, education or community visit
- Free evening in Seinäjoki
Finnish Heritage, Reflection and Celebration
Bring together what you have learned and reflect on your connection with Finland.
Programme highlights:
- Practical Finnish language review
- “Survival Finnish” activities
- Finnish identity and heritage workshop
- Finnish-American family connections
- Personal reflection and informal group sharing
- Finnish cultural workshop
- Certificate ceremony
- Farewell dinner
A Balanced Daily Rhythm
Each day is designed to provide enough time for learning, exploring and relaxing.
Example Daily Schedule
09:30–10:30
Morning learning session
10:30–11:00
Finnish coffee break
11:00–12:30
Workshop or interactive session
12:30–13:30
Lunch on campus
13:30–17:00
Excursion, cultural visit or hands-on activity
17:00–18:00
Return and rest time
Evening
Optional social or cultural experience
The schedule may be adjusted according to excursions, weather, transport arrangements and other programme requirements.
Who Is the Summer School For?
The SEAMK Summer School is designed especially for people living in the United States who have Finnish roots or a personal connection with Finland.
The programme may be suitable for:
- Finnish-American heritage travellers
- High school students
- University and college students
- Young adults
- Adult learners
- Families
- Teachers and educators
- First-time visitors to Finland
- Groups interested in Finnish language, culture and education
The programme is designed to welcome participants from different generations.
Final age requirements and participation conditions will be published before registration opens.
No Finnish Language Skills Required
You do not need to speak Finnish before joining the programme.
All Finnish language activities begin with practical basics and are designed for beginners.
The main programme language will be English. Finnish will be introduced through supportive language sessions, practical exercises and cultural activities.
Why Seinäjoki?
Seinäjoki offers an approachable and welcoming setting for discovering Finnish culture, education and everyday life.
Located in South Ostrobothnia in western Finland, Seinäjoki combines modern city life, a strong regional identity and easy access to local culture and nature.
During the summer school, you can experience:
- A modern Finnish university campus
- Local food and cultural traditions
- Finnish architecture and design
- Regional businesses and communities
- Nearby nature and outdoor culture
- Everyday life beyond Finland’s main tourist destinations
Discover the UNESCO-Listed Aalto Works
Participants will have an opportunity to discover the Aalto Centre in Seinäjoki.
The Aalto Centre forms part of the Seinäjoki Civic Centre, one of the 13 sites included in the UNESCO-listed Aalto Works series.
The visit offers an introduction to Finnish architecture, design and the work of Alvar Aalto.
Aalto Works sites – Alvar Aalto Foundation(Opens in a new window)
See and Experience Alvar Aalto in Seinäjoki – Visit Seinäjoki
Questions? Contact us
