22 July 2025
The YUFE Friend Programme is a new initiative at the heart of YUFE’s mission to be a socially engaged European university alliance. Designed to build bridges between international students, university staff, and local communities, the programme promotes meaningful integration and cultural exchange across YUFE cities and regions.
Launched during the 2024/25 academic year, this first edition engaged nearly 200 among students, university staff, and members of the public—in the cities of Joensuu, Kuopio (University of Eastern Finland, UEF) and Toruń (Nicolaus Copernicus University, NCU). This enthusiastic participation reflects a growing desire to create inclusive, collaborative university communities that extend beyond the traditional campus environment.
Created jointly by the YUFE team and partner universities, the programme is designed to be flexible and adaptable, taking into account the cultural and institutional diversity across the alliance. This tailored approach ensures that YUFE Friend is relevant and effective in a wide range of diverse local contexts.
At the University of Eastern Finland, the model is based on an initiative first introduced in the 1990s, now modernized within the YUFE framework. The UEF version is participant-driven and focuses on one-on-one pairings between international students or staff and local residents. These pairings are made through a simple application and an introductory event, matching participants based on shared interests or backgrounds. The flexible nature of the programme allows participants to build relationships organically through shared activities and schedules. Notably, entire families were involved in the pilot, further enriching the experience of cultural exchange.
Meanwhile, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń launched a unique, event-based adaptation called the “Mystery Friend” model. This version focuses on fostering connections through themed group events organized by NCU staff. These activities—ranging from cultural to artistic to educational—encourage community interaction and team-building between local citizens and international participants. Events are held several times throughout the academic year, enhancing the social experience through group dynamics.
“Mystery Friend” activity organized by Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun.
Feedback from participants has been overwhelmingly positive:
“YUFE Friend meetups are a great initiative that not only help people get to know each other better but also have a lot of fun! Each meeting offered a surprising, creative activity – from collaborative projects to unusual team games. Thanks to that, the atmosphere was relaxed and inspiring, and the integration happened naturally and with smiles all around.” — NCU participant
“I got to be friends with a person I would not have met otherwise.”
— UEF participant
“The whole concept of meeting a local friend is a great way of connecting people.”
— UEF participant
With strong participation and encouraging feedback from both students and community members, UEF and NCU are planning to continue the YUFE Friend Programme into the 2025/26 academic year. The programme is helping reshape what it means to be part of a European university by building human connections that span cultures, institutions, and communities.
