International House South Karelia newsletter 8/2026 - Celebrating a Year of Progress!
Welcome to the International House South Karelia newsletter! It’s been a year since we celebrated the opening of International House South Karelia at Cultural Venue Nuijamies in Lappeenranta and published our very first newsletter. Since that we have reached the local international community with our events, guidance and advice services, and communication channels. Thank you for being part of the beginning of our story!
If you haven’t yet had a chance to connect with us, we look forward meeting with you soon!
On this newsletter you can find several opportunities for connecting with us and with the local community during this autumn season and how to stay connected through our communication channels. The newsletter is aimed at international residents who have moved to the region, as well as partners who support integration and settling in the region.
Current events
Lappeenranta Today! City Event
Thu 27 Aug 2026 | 10:00–17:00 | Free of charge
In front of the City Hall, Villimiehenkatu 1, Lappeenranta
Lappeenranta Today! is a free city event open to everyone. It brings residents, businesses, organizations, and city officials together around a shared theme. Various actors will present their activities in front of the city hall. Event page at the Lappeenranta event calendar: Lappeenranta Today! – City Event (tapahtumat.lappeenranta.fi)
Welcome to Lappeenranta!
Fri 11 Sep 2026 | 13:00–14:30 | Free of charge
Online (Teams)
This is an event for new residents offering basic information for the first steps of settling into the region. The language of the event is English. This is a starting event of a three events Welcome to Lappeenranta series. Read more and register to the events at the South Karelia event calendar: Welcome to Lappeenranta (tapahtumat.ekarjala.fi)
International House Living Room
Tue 15 Sep 2026 | 18:00–20:00 | Free of charge
Community House Lappeenranta, Raastuvankatu 7, Lappeenranta
International House Living Room offers an opportunity to connect with the local international and internationally minded community in a relaxed environment. The aim is to foster a place for community dialogue, based on stories about life in Lappeenranta and South Karelia. The event will be held once a month. More information at the South Karelia event calendar: International House Living Room (tapahtumat.ekarjala.fi)
Career Club networking
Tue 22 Sep 2026 | 15:30–17:30 | Free of charge
Vapari, Assi Group premises, Valtakatu 51, 53100 Lappeenranta
Are you an international student or a professional looking to connect with local businesses and explore future career paths? Join us for a unique event where talents and companies meet in a relaxed atmosphere. Full program and registration at the South Karelia event calendar: Career Club networking (tapahtumat.lappeenranta.fi)
Spouse Network continues!
Have you moved to Lappeenranta because your partner has come here to work or study? If yes, join the Spouse Network that brings together international spouses living in Lappeenranta area. Come meet and network with people in the same situation as you. Meetings are held in English and are free of charge. Join the Spouse Network by filling this form (webropol.com).
Autumn is the time for new beginnings
Autumn is a great time to start a new hobby and keep connected with others while the days start getting shorter. Find a hobby through visiting our webpage’s Leisure, hobbies and culture section at Living in South Karelia - Lappeenranta. If you need help in finding a hobby, contact us or visit International House South Karelia guidance and advice.
Voice of the Network
EMI - Empowering Migrant Youth Through Development of Entrepreneurial Mindset is organizing a final round of their training programme 10.9.–30.11.2026.
This is an excellent opportunity for migrants aged 18-24 in South Karelia to learn about entrepreneurship in Finland, either as an entrepreneur or an employee. Not to mention learning to see one’s background as a strength, meeting likeminded people, and seeing how everyone is an impactful unit in their social networks.
The training is free of charge.
Apply now: https://link.webropol.com/s/emiautumn
Ask about the training programme: mariia.baliasina@lab.fi
Stay connected!
Website: International House South Karelia (lappeenranta.fi/en)
Facebook: International House South Karelia
Instagram: @internationalsouthkarelia
E-mail: internationalhouse@lappeenranta.fi
Subscribe to newsletter: Lappeenrannan kaupunki tiedotetilaus (epressi.com)
Do you want to share your event, course, or service with internationals in South Karelia? Our next newsletter will be published in October. Please send your materials in Finnish and English by October 10, 2026, via link: Questback/Lappeenrannankaupunki
The International House operating model is part of the South Karelia Employment Area's services. Information for personal customers, employers and entrepreneurs is available on the website: