Path to Integration and Belonging (3 cr)

Evaluation scale

Hyväksytty/Hylätty

Content scheduling

The course will focus on the following themes:
1. What are the key components towards a more effective social, economic, and cultural integration?
2. Familiarizing with the key regulations for living, entering, and integrating in Finland.
3. Showcasing the Values of Finnish Society fosters a sense of belonging.
4. How can we improve communication and interaction with others? Cultural Awareness and Sensitivity in effective cross-cultural interactions.
5. Language and Communication. The importance of language proficiency, available resources, and practical strategies for overcoming language barriers.
6. Education is a lifelong and fair asset in Finland, available to everyone. Practical steps for personalized learning and integration.
7. How can we navigate the Finnish job market? Understanding the job search process, adapting your professional profile, and fostering a sense of belonging.
8. What support is available to adapt in challenging settings and overcome isolation? Exploring Finnish healthcare services and wellness strategies.
9. Case studies and stories of integration. Inspirational examples, lessons learned, best practices and its impact on individuals and communities.
10. How can we spark and amplify integration and community engagement? Future pathways.

The topics of the lectures included in the course will be specified before the start of the course.

Objective

After finishing the course, students will:
• understand the principles and significance of integration and why it helps create belonging and cultural identification in the new home country.
• learn the basics of Finnish laws and how to apply them effectively to recognize and fulfill rights and responsibilities.
• improve cultural and communication skills to navigate unspoken rules in daily life.
• build connections that support adaptation and create a sense of belonging.
• draft an integration plan tailored to personal goals and evaluate how well it supports both individual growth and contributions to the community.

Content

In addition to the topics listed below, the course includes theoretical knowledge, practical tasks for reflection, as well as engaging workshops to explore these themes in depth.

• The central phenomena and concepts related to integration and sense of belonging.
• Practical life skills including Finnish laws, health and well-being resources, and everyday cultural practices.
• The importance of multiculturalism in the world of work and higher education.
• Preconceptions and the impact of cultural identity on our thinking and ways of action.
• Upcoming integration trends in Finland and adaptive strategies for long-term.

Materials

The course material consists of the following:

• materials from the lectures, workshops and real-life cases
• students' list of references and sources used for the final assignment.

Teaching methods

The course consists of the following components:
• a kick-off meeting
• lectures (successful completion of the course requires participation in at least 80% of lectures)
• workshops (successful completion of the course requires participation in at least 80% of workshops)
• self-reflection portfolio for each lecture and workshop participation.
• a wrap-up meeting
• a final course assignment.

Exam schedules

The course does not include an exam but requires a final written assignment and active participation and attendance in class.

Pedagogic approaches and sustainable development

The course will take place in a multicultural, multilingual and multidisciplinary group.
The course is open to international degree students regardless of their field of study and language of instruction.
The course's pedagogical methods support students' networking and active collaboration.
The course and its method of implementation promote socially sustainable development.

Student workload

1. Kick-off meeting, 2 h
2. Familiarization with the course implementation and timetable and preparation of study plan, 5-12 h
3. Lectures (10)+ reflection on learning (portfolio ) in ItsLearning (for a successful completion of the course you must attend at least 80% of
lectures), 16-24 h
4. Workshops (4) + reflection on learning (portfolio ) in ItsLearning (for a successful completion of the course, participation in all workshops is
required), 12-14 h
5. Wrap-up meeting, 3 h
6. Final course assignment, 20 h : Creating a personalized lifelong learning plan for continuous integration
7. Course feedback on the course, 2 h

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

APPROVED:

To pass the course, the student must successfully meet the requirements for each main component of the assessment criteria:

COMPONENT 1: Attendance:
The student attends 80% of the classes.

COMPONENT 2: Participation:
In lectures: the student actively participates in classes, completes quizzes, maintains a self-reflection portfolio, and engages in peer assessments.
In workshops: the student engages in scenario-based learning, projects, and presentations to apply integration strategies to real-life situations.

COMPONENT 3: Final assignment:
The student submits the final course assignment on time with at least satisfactory quality, demonstrating:
• Presentation of their learning outcomes with proper reflection or examples.
• Reference to relevant sources and adequate analysis of their learning.
• Effective linking of course materials to personal life situations, showing a clear connection.

FAILED:

The student failed to meet the requirements above mentioned for each component:

COMPONENT 1: Attendance:
Attended less than 80% of the classes.

COMPONENT 2: Participation:
Reflected no commitment.

COMPONENT 3: Final assignment:
Has not completed the final course assignment, or the assignment has been inadequately completed:
- The student does not present or reflect on their own learning outcomes.
- The student does not refer to any sources or refers to irrelevant ones.
- The student does not refer to any course activities or materials.

Evaluation methods and criteria

Assessment scale: Approved/ Failed

Assessments to evaluate understanding and progress, including quizzes, self-assessment, and peer assessment.

Further information

Throughout the course, communication about study-related issues and learning assignments is conducted via the message function in itslearning.
For personal matters, students should communicate with the teacher via email.
Students can communicate via the targeted message function in itslearning or through the course's joint announcements function with the entire group. Messages sent using the announcements’ function are automatically visible to all course participants.