ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿

• Tips for preparing for your stay in the U.S. 

• First things to do when arriving in the U.S. 

• House hunt and housing tips, the importance of reading the small print! 

• Life on a U.S. campus and host organization matters 

• Living in the U.S.  - everyday issues (banking, health care, transportation, phone, bureaucracy, social life) 

• Questions on U.S. culture 

• Enrichment activities 

• Bringing family to the U.S. 

• Conducting studies/project in the U.S.  

Group 1: Undergraduate Students (Fulbright Finland Undergraduate Grants)
Miina Aaltonen, Fulbright Finland Undergraduate Grant 2023-24

Facilitator:
Saara Martikainen, Program Coordinator, ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿

Group 2: Graduate Students (ASLA-Fulbright Pre-Doctoral Research Fellows, ASLA-Fulbright Graduate Grants, Fulbright-KAUTE ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿ion Awards, and Fulbright-Idman Grants)
Tuomas Lihr, ASLA-Fulbright Graduate Grant 2018-19
Aino Kirjonen, ASLA-Fulbright Graduate Grant 2023-24
Vivian Stolt, ASLA-Fulbright Graduate Grant 2022-23
Henrik Ilvesmäki, ASLA-Fulbright Graduate Grant 2018-19

Facilitator: 
Karoliina Kokko, Senior Program Manager, ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿ 

Group 3: FLTAs
Elisa Repo, Fulbright Finnish Language and Culture Teaching Assistant 2013-14 

Facilitator:
Tarja Mykrä, Program Specialist, ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿

Group 4: Lecturers, Researchers, and Professionals (ASLA-Fulbright Research Grants for Senior Scholars, ASLA-Fulbright Research Grants for Junior Scholars, and ASLA-Fulbright Mid-Career Professional Development Grants)
Maija Urponen, ASLA-Fulbright Mid-Career Professional Development Award 2021-22; Grant-Funded Researcher, University of Helsinki 
Pekka Kolehmainen, ASLA-Fulbright Research Grant for a Junior Scholar 2024-25; Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Turku 
Risto Marttinen, Fulbright U.S. Scholar 2024-25; Associate Professor, George Mason University
Pirjo Kangas, ASLA-Fulbright Mid-career Professional Development Program 2019-20

Facilitator:
Emmi Jelekäinen, Program Manager, ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿

Group 5: Teachers (Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching)
Anna-Mari Ojala, Study of the U.S. Institutes for Secondary School Educators 2004-05; Fulbright Distinguished Award in Teaching 2022-23
Veera Illman, Fulbright Distinguished Award in Teaching 2024-25 
Petteri Granat, Fulbright Distinguished Award in Teaching 2014-15 

Facilitator:
Mirka McIntire, Manager, Teacher Exchange and Education Programs, ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿

Group 6: SUSI for Secondary School Educators
Henna Ukkonen, Professional Exchanges Coordinator, U.S. Embassy Helsinki
Seda Altunbay, Study of the United States Institutes for Secondary School Educators, 2024
Annukka Suonio, Study of the United States Institutes for Secondary School Educators, 2013 

Facilitator:
Heidi Tiainen, Program and Events Coordinator, ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿ 

Group 7: Travel Grantees (Fulbright Finland Travel Grants for Research Collaboration and Fulbright Finland Travel Grants for Institutional Partnership Building)
Riikka Kanervo, Fulbright Finland Travel Grant for Institutional Partnership Building 2024 
Eini Haaja, Fulbright Finland Travel Grant for Research Collaboration 2024
Lotta Leiwo, Fulbright Finland Travel Grant for Research Collaboration 2024 

Facilitator:
Mihkel Vaim, Coordinator, ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿

14:45 Break

15:00 Bus to the Helsinki City Hall 

15:50 Group Photo at the Helsinki City Hall 

16:00 Fulbright Grantees as Ambassadors of Finland and Promoters of Our Country Brand

• Finland’s country brand
• As citizen diplomats, what can the ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿ grantees do to promote Finland’s country brand?
• How can the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland and the Finnish diplomatic missions in the U.S. be of assistance to and work with the ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿ grantees?

16:25 Rehearsal

17:00 Award Ceremony & Reception at the Helsinki City Hall 

19:00 Event Ends