Suomea Suomessa training programme
Suomea Suomessa (Finnish in Finland) is a training programme for students of Finnish language and culture. The programme has been targeted at foreign students who have Finnish language as a main or secondary subject, and are completing their degrees outside of Finland. The traineeships give them an opportunity to get work experience, to learn about Finnish working culture and to use Finnish in authentic situations. Family placements are an option for students who are in the beginning of their Finnish studies.
Foreign students completing their degrees in Finland are, unfortunately, ineligible for the programme.
NB: citizens of countries other than the EU member states, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein always require a residence permit for the practical training period, including family trainees . A residence permit must be acquired prior to arrival in Finland from the Finnish embassy. The price of the residence permit is 385 euros (in 2012).
Work placements
Work placements are intended to students of Finnish language and culture who
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have a good knowledge of the Finnish language
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have studied Finnish for at least 2 to 3 years
or to recent graduates. In the latter case, the placement should start at the latest within a year after qualification.
The duration of the placement is 1 to 6 months. Most placements are available during the summer.
The trainees can work, for example,
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in customer service in museums
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as holiday camp counsellors
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as assistants in various projects (e.g. summer festivals).
Funding
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Either the employer will pay a salary (about 1,000 €/month)
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or CIMO will pay a grant of 670 €/month and the employer will contribute to the accommodation and/or meal expenses.
The trainees will receive help in finding accommodation. They will normally stay in student dormitories.
CIMO does not award a separate travel grant. Students usually pay for their travel and the possible residence permit fee (385 euros in 2012). A residence permit is required for the work practice from all nationals excluding those of the EU member states, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. NB: A residence permit is also required for the family practice, for example, Russian nationals cannot enter the work practice with a visa.
You can only receive the Suomea Suomessa traineeship grant once.
Family placement
The student should
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have studied Finnish for at least one year
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have sufficient knowledge of Finnish to manage in everyday situations.
The trainees live with the families and take part in their daily tasks as family members and look after children of three years of age or more.
Trainees work a maximum of 5 hours per day or 25 hours per week and have 2 days off per every working week.
Funding
The trainees receive pocket money (40 to 70 € per week) and room and board. They will have their own room.
How to apply for a traineeship?
In 2013, the application period is 1 February - 1 March. The applications must reach CIMO at the latest on 1 March 2013.
You can apply for two different places at once. You can also tick the box I am also willing to accept another training placement (Olen valmis ottamaan vastaan myös muun harjoittelupaikan), in which case you may be offered another vacancy advertised on our website or a vacancy that was confirmed later.
Annexes to application
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CV
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reference from your Finnish teacher in your university, with assessment on your Finnish language skills
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a list of courses/studies completed in the university
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letter describing your motivation, why do you wish to do a traineeship
You will need to send two copies of the application form and annexes. The application should be written in Finnish, but the list of courses completed can be, for example, in English.
The application should be sent to the below address
CIMO/Suomea Suomessa -harjoittelu
PL 343
FI-00531 Helsinki
Finland.
In case the application should not arrive on time, it is recommended to send it by e-mail, too, to the person to contact.
Students need to send a report to CIMO after the traineeship.
Traineeship vacancies
Vacancies that you can apply for will be found on the Finnish side during the application process.
Person to contact: Riitta Uotila-Kataja.
Application form (doc)
Report form (doc) (in Finnish)