After several months in Rauma, the city that once felt completely new has now become familiar.
What first surprised us has slowly become part of our everyday life. One of the biggest challenges at the beginning was adapting to the rhythm of winter. When we first arrived, the days were extremely short, and daylight lasted only a few hours. However, as the weeks passed, we noticed something interesting: every day the light returned a little more.
Now, with spring approaching, the atmosphere of the city is changing. The snow is slowly melting, the days are getting longer and Rauma feels more lively. The city that once seemed quiet and frozen during winter is gradually waking up again.
Looking back, we realized how much we have discovered during these months. We have walked through Old Rauma many times, explored the forests around the city, walked on the frozen sea and tried numerous cafés across town.
Sauna has also become part of our normal routine. What first felt surprising is now something completely natural. It is not only about relaxing but also about sharing moments together and experiencing a tradition that is deeply rooted in Finnish culture.
Living here has allowed us to discover a different rhythm of life. Nature, calm and balance seem to play an important role in daily life in Rauma.
For us, this experience has been much more than a study semester abroad. It has been a chance to discover a new culture, adapt to a new environment and create memories that will stay with us long after leaving Finland.
Fact box – Antoine
Age: 19 Home town: Saint-Just-Saint-Rambert, France Field of study: Bachelor Marketing & Business – IDRAC Business School Future plans: Create his own company in the future Fun fact: Enjoys meeting new people, discovering cultures and living new experiences
In this blog article series, international exchange students share their experiences of SAMK and studying in Rauma. This is the third text in the series. All texts will also be published in Finnish in the newspaper Raumalainen.
Text and photos: Victor Mourier, Baptiste Lours and Antoine Gounon, exchange students
After the first weeks of settling in, our daily life in Rauma slowly started to take shape. What first felt unfamiliar gradually became part of our routine, and we began discovering what student life here really looks like.
At SAMK, we quickly noticed that the teaching methods can be different from what we knew in France. The objectives of the courses are often similar, but the way to reach them sometimes changes. Many classes involve group work, discussions, and practical exercises. This creates a more interactive environment where students collaborate and exchange ideas more frequently.
Working with students from different countries is also a big part of the experience. In many projects, we collaborate with Finnish students as well as other international students. This multicultural environment makes classes more dynamic and allows us to learn not only from the courses but also from each other.
Outside the university, we continued exploring Rauma and its surroundings. What started as first discoveries slowly became habits. We made it a small challenge to try as many cafés as possible in the city. Each place has its own atmosphere and it is a great way to experience the local lifestyle.
Nature is also everywhere around Rauma. Forests are only a few minutes away, and the sea is always close. During winter, we experienced something truly unforgettable: walking on the frozen sea. It was a strange but fascinating feeling to walk across a landscape that is normally covered by water.
Sauna also became a regular part of our lives. At the beginning it felt unusual, but little by little it became a natural way to relax and share conversations after a long day.
Step by step, Rauma started to feel less like a place we were visiting and more like a place where we were living.
Fact box – Victor
Age: 21 Home town: Ardoix, France Field of study: Bachelor Marketing & Business – IDRAC Business School Future plans: Work in international industry and trade while developing a personal project in finance and trading Fun fact: Worked six months on farms in the United States and walked the Camino de Santiago
In this blog article series, international exchange students share their experiences of SAMK and studying in Rauma. This is the second text in the series. All texts will also be published in Finnish in the newspaper Raumalainen.
Text and photos: Victor Mourier, Baptiste Lours and Antoine Gounon, exchange students
On January 15th, three French students arrived in Rauma to begin their exchange semester at SAMK. Coming from different regions of France, we were excited and curious to discover what life would be like in this small Finnish coastal city. None of us had ever lived in Finland before, so everything felt new from the moment we arrived.
The journey itself already felt like an adventure. Moving to a country we did not know meant adapting to a new culture, a different climate and new daily habits. When we arrived, winter was still in full force. One of the first things that surprised us was the daylight. At the beginning, the days were very short, sometimes only around five hours of light. It was something completely different from what we knew in France, and it required some time to adapt.
During our first days we spent time discovering the city and learning about its history. Very quickly we visited Old Rauma, the famous district listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its colorful wooden houses and small streets create a unique atmosphere. Walking there feels like stepping into another era, and it immediately became one of our favorite places in the city.
Our first week was also full of small discoveries. We tried our first Finnish cafés, went for our first walks in the forests surrounding the city and experienced our first real Finnish sauna. One surprising thing for us was having a sauna directly in our house. In France this would be something exceptional, but here in Finland it seems almost normal.
Another aspect that impressed us from the beginning was the feeling of safety. The city is calm and peaceful and there is a strong sense of trust in everyday life. Even late in the evening the atmosphere remains relaxed and secure.
At that moment everything was still new. We were only at the beginning of our experience in Rauma, and we were excited to see what the next months would bring.
Fact box – Baptiste
Age: 24 Home city: Nice, France Field of study: Bachelor Marketing & Business – IDRAC Business School Future plans: Interested in negotiation and entrepreneurship, especially in wine or construction Fun fact: Lived four years in Argentina during childhood, which created a strong passion for travel and discovering new cultures
In this blog article series, international exchange students share their experiences of SAMK and studying in Rauma. This is the first text in the series. All texts will also be published in Finnish in the newspaper Raumalainen.
Text and photos: Victor Mourier, Baptiste Lours and Antoine Gounon, exchange students
We are Team Sisu Solutions, a group of students from the International Business program at Satakunta University of Applied Sciences who will be participating in the Nordic Case Challenge (NCC) competition. Our team members are Dinith Malluwa Wadu, Thimira Liniya Lande Gedara, Tomáš Procházka, and Jesse Juusela, and we are coached by Senior Lecturer Anssi Pajala.
Our team was formed after successfully completing a business case project during our studies, where we were selected from several groups within the university to represent our program in this competition. Each member brings different strengths to the team, including strong teamwork, effective task allocation and delegation, detailed research, and structured problem solving.
As a team, we focus on gathering reliable information, analyzing business situations carefully, and organizing our ideas into practical and well-structured solutions. Collaboration and open communication are key elements of how we work together.
Our coach, Anssi Pajala, has been providing excellent guidance and support throughout our preparation. His advice and experience have helped us better understand the competition format and feel more confident before the trip.
We are very excited about this opportunity and highly motivated to represent our university. Participating in this competition will allow us to gain valuable experience, learn from other teams, and further develop the skills that will support our future careers.
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The competition trip is made possible by a financial grant awarded by the RKTK Foundation. The foundation’s purpose is to promote commercial and technical education and research as well as economic awareness in the Rauma economic region. To fulfill its mission, the foundation awards scholarships and grants and supports equipment acquisitions, research and development work, and collaboration projects with companies.
My name is Matthieu Avale. I’m a 23-year-old French international business student and was completing my internship at the Maritime Logistics Research Center in Rauma, Finland. This experience forms part of my studies and personal development, and I would like to share some insights into my missions, the challenges I encountered, and the skills I developed during this period.
I was assigned two main tasks during my internship that shaped my daily activities and learning journey. The main task was to propose a CRM solution for the Maritime Logistics Research Center, and the second one was to organize an event.
Proposing a CRM System
My first mission was to research and propose a CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system that would meet the research center’s needs. A CRM system is both a strategy and a tool used by companies to manage and analyze interactions with customers and prospects. Its main objectives are to:
Improve business relationships
Enhance customer satisfaction and retention
Streamline internal processes
Boost sales and overall profitability
CRM tools allow companies to centralize client data, making it easier to answer customer questions, detect potential problems, and optimize service delivery. Previously, I had only used CRM systems to extract data; during this project, I needed to take a step back to truly understand the center’s needs and suggest a solution tailored to them. This work gave me a deeper understanding of CRM systems’ function and the strategic thinking behind selecting the right tool. I also proposed a few action plans for the center to better leverage CRM to enhance its operations.
However, the task came with its challenges:
Budget constraint: The CRM solution needed to be free of charge. Many of the best-known systems on the market are not, and they were the ones I was most familiar with.
Regulatory considerations: I had to ensure that any data collection and storage practices complied with relevant privacy and data protection regulations.
Despite these obstacles, the project helped me develop critical thinking skills and a more solution-oriented mindset.
I also had to change CRM solutions several times, either because I wasn’t fully satisfied with the functionality offered or because some systems proved too complex to set up in the specific context of the research center.
Organizing an Event
My second mission was to organize an event for the center. Having a lot of time before the event was an advantage. It allowed me to brainstorm ideas, consider potential animations, and foresee potential problems well in advance. The continuous reflection helped me build a more detailed and creative event plan.
One of the key benefits of organizing and participating in the event was the opportunity it created for team building. Strong team dynamics are essential for productivity, creativity, and a positive work atmosphere in any professional environment. Events like the one I organized provide a relaxed setting where team members can interact outside their usual roles, discover shared interests, and strengthen mutual trust. This not only improves communication but also enhances collaboration and morale within the workplace. For me, it was a chance to get to know my colleagues better and to help strengthen their bond.
The realization of the event went smoothly. Although it was cancelled quite late the first time, I had to re-plan and prepare everything again, but it was better to do it this way than to organize it, and only 2 or 3 people showed up. In the end, the event was successful in my opinion. It also offered an excellent opportunity to connect with the team and get to know them better in a more informal setting.
One of my initial concerns was whether the schedule would be held and if all the planned activities would fit into the allocated time. Fortunately, everything went according to plan, and all activities were carried out as expected. I also prepared backup activities in case things moved faster than anticipated. This project taught me the importance of foresight, adaptability, and detailed preparation when planning professional events.
Balancing Internship and Thesis
Alongside these missions, I have been working on my thesis. Balancing the workload between my thesis and my internship has been a challenge, but also a great opportunity to improve my time management and organizational skills. It also helped me to develop my curiosity and my writing skills.
Conclusion
This internship at the Maritime Logistics Research Center has been a very interesting experience. It not only allowed me to apply theoretical knowledge in a real-world setting but also pushed me to gain maturity as I was organizing my own schedule. From navigating CRM systems under constraints to organizing a successful event, each task brought unique challenges that strengthened my problem-solving, communication, and planning skills.
Moreover, working in an international environment in Finland has broadened my perspective and given me valuable insights into cross-cultural teamwork. I’m grateful for the trust placed in me and the support from Minna throughout this training. I am thankful for this opportunity, and I really appreciate working in this positive environment.
My name is Elisa, and I’m a Belgian student studying for a double degree in marketing and international business. This year, I’m lucky enough to be living a unique experience in Finland, as part of my studies at SAMK (Satakunta University of Applied Sciences), in Rauma. This adventure not only allows me to discover a new culture, but also to immerse myself in an exciting professional world.
I did my internship at SAMK’s Maritime Logistics Research Center, a forward-looking center that strives to integrate sustainability principles into every one of its projects. My main objective during this internship was to highlight the center’s sustainable commitments and explore ways of improving them.
To do this, I carried out a real investigation: I analyzed their communications (website, social networks), observed their working environment, and above all, I had the chance to talk directly with some of the researchers. These interviews were particularly enriching. I discovered the challenges they face – particularly in terms of the transition to cleaner fuels, the adaptation of port infrastructures, and the importance of digitalization to better measure and reduce emissions.
The result is a comprehensive report structured around the three pillars of sustainability: environmental, social and futuristic. In it, I also put forward concrete ideas for raising the profile of the center’s sustainable actions, through communications media such as social networks, flyers, and specialized events.
Among my tasks, I was also asked to consider the center’s participation in Baltic Sea Day, a key event in the region. I proposed that the center organize interactive mini-conferences on this occasion, in order to present in a dynamic way the advances of its research linked to maritime sustainability. The idea is to create a space for exchange with the public, but also to raise awareness of the importance of applied research in preserving the Baltic Sea.
This internship has given me a better understanding of how sustainability can (and must) be integrated into maritime logistics, a key sector that is still too often lagging behind on these issues. It has also enabled me to develop my skills in research, strategic communication, and critical analysis, while contributing to a mission that is close to my heart: to participate, in my own way, in a more responsible future.
Text: Elisa Tinel, a double degree student in marketing and international business
Last month, I had the privilege of spending two inspiring weeks as a visiting lecturer at the Hong Kong Metropolitan University Li Ka Shing School of Professional and Continuing Education (LiPACE). This visit marked a continuation of our growing partnership, established in May 2021 through a top-up degree agreement in tourism between SAMK and LiPACE. It was my first visit to LiPACE’s campus, though we had already collaborated virtually, most notably during a virtual exchange tour organized in April 2024.
LiPACE is located in the heart of Kowloon Commerce Centre, conveniently connected to the city’s MTR network and surrounded by restaurants and cafés. The convenient location reminded me of SAMK and the growing trend of situating campuses within commercial centres.
What impressed me most at the campus was their innovative approach to applied education and the immersive environments it offers students. The campus houses an impressive variety of simulated learning spaces – everything from a mock hotel equipped with smart technology and aviation training facilities to a crime scene classroom that wouldn’t look out of place in a CSI episode. There are also hospital beds and environments catering to health and social care studies, reflecting the university’s integrated approach to tackling current societal megatrends such as an aging population.
Cross-cultural business management with Bara bada bastu.
Celebrating diversity: A campus rich in culture and global connections
The cultural richness of the campus was another highlight. LiPACE celebrates national holidays, such as Nepalese New Year or Thai water festival Songkran, to help international students feel at home. Through active collaboration with foreign consulates, LiPACE offers themed classrooms dedicated to various cultures, including Japan, Germany, and Finland. To my surprise and delight, it turned out to be the most Finnish campus I have ever stepped into – including campuses in Finland. Finnish flags line the hallways, Moomin characters are omnipresent, Moomin animations loop on lobby screens, and posters celebrating sisu are proudly displayed. Even the 80th anniversary of the Moomins was well recognized. Finnish culture was embraced not only decoratively but intellectually and socially. It was clear that the idea of Finland has made a lasting impression.
I was invited to deliver lectures on topics such as nature tourism, cross-cultural business management, and tourism policy making. These sessions provided opportunities to showcase Finnish expertise in sustainable tourism and education, as well as to introduce SAMK more broadly. In one particularly memorable lecture, we discussed Finnish sauna culture, which culminated – fitting for the times – with students dancing “Bara bada bastu.” It was a small moment, but a wonderful illustration of how learning and cultural exchange can work together.
Cross-Boundary Collaboration: A Visit to SZIIT in Shenzhen
We also travelled to Shenzhen in mainland China to visit the Shenzhen Institute of Information Technology (SZIIT), with whom LiPACE has a cross-boundary vocational programme. At SZIIT, I was warmly welcomed with a traditional Chinese cultural program followed by lunch with SZIIT colleagues. Discussions included a particularly forward-thinking example of combining early childhood education with elderly care—an interdisciplinary approach that thoughtfully responds to the demographic shifts many societies are facing. These types of learning paths, aligning education with evolving societal needs, represent challenges and opportunities that universities across the globe are addressing.
In Shenzhen, I also had the chance to reconnect with students who had previously participated in our virtual exchange tour. As these soon-to-graduate students were completing their practical training, the lecture on tourism policy making was held in one of the hotel’s banquet halls—an authentic and relevant setting for students pursuing careers in hospitality.
Students attending lecture at Lam Kin Chung Lecture Theatre, LiPACE Campus.
Beyond the classroom: Culture, collaboration, and continuity
Beyond the classroom, I was also invited for a company visit at the Mei Ho House Youth Hostel and Museum, which offered a powerful look into Hong Kong’s public housing history and cultural heritage. The museum made effective use of immersive technology, and its themes were thoughtfully carried over into the interior design of the hostel itself.
My visit also included insightful discussions with LiPACE staff and colleagues on shared megatrends: aging populations, declining birth rates, and the increasing role of AI in higher education. These conversations reinforced our mutual interest in future-focused teaching and the unique dual-model structure of Finnish higher education, where universities of applied sciences play a critical role.
This was my second time in Hong Kong but my first visit to LiPACE. I left deeply impressed by their pedagogical innovation, commitment to internationalization, and above all, their warm and curious students and dedicated staff. I extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone I met during the visit. Invitations have been extended to students and staff from both LiPACE and SZIIT to visit Finland, and I truly hope to welcome them to Satakunta in the near future.
Text: Senior Lecturer Heini Korvenkangas
Photos: Heini Korvenkangas
Article photo: Cross-boundary exchange: Group photo with SZIIT students and staff at the Coli Hotel, Shenzhen.
On 31st of March, our student Jayamini Peirisyalage from the Rauma campus visited SAMK’s Pori campus. In this video, she shares her impressions of the visit and what stood out to her the most. You’ll get a sneak peek into our RoboAI lab and Pelliselli (Experience Lab), while hearing her thoughts on the importance of balancing technology with wellbeing, and how learning mindfulness techniques can support your studies. Tech, wellbeing, and great vibes – don’t miss it!
At first glance, nanotechnology might seem unrelated to the work of healthcare professionals. Therefore, we found it overwhelming to be sent to researcher exchange in Bulgaria, hosted by NanoTech Lab Ltd. (Research & Development of Nanomaterials and Nanotechnologies Ltd.) However, as we delved deeper into the intersection of these fields during our research exchange, we were amazed by how much we could learn from one another. In this blog post, we’ll share our experiences from a two-week project secondment in Bulgaria and explore the exciting possibilities that emerged.
Bridging the gap between physical rehabilitation and mental health support is more than just bringing experts together—it’s about fostering true collaboration. While multidisciplinary teams offer diverse perspectives, real progress happens through interdisciplinary cooperation, where knowledge is not just shared but continuously refined and expanded. Achieving this level of integration isn’t easy; it demands open dialogue, a willingness to challenge conventional boundaries, and a commitment to rethinking how healthcare and research intersect.
Integrating healthcare—particularly physical rehabilitation and mental health support—with nanotechnology is more than just a technical challenge; it’s an intellectual one. Experts from vastly different fields must come together to build a shared understanding of how nanotechnology, and specifically nanomaterials, interact with healthcare. Our individual expertise may differ, but real growth happens when we learn from each other and find common ground.
We have already learned that nanomaterials are transforming rehabilitation by making prosthetics, orthotics, and support gear lighter, stronger, and more adaptable. Smart textiles embedded with nanosensors can monitor muscle activity and pressure in real time, providing instant feedback to aid rehabilitation and prevent injuries. This provides valuable insights for both physical recovery and mental health management, helping tailor treatments to individual needs. By enhancing both mobility and patient comfort, these advancements are reshaping the recovery experience, making treatments more personalized and effective.
New polymer composite nanomaterials with enhanced mechanical and physical properties can revolutionize assistive devices used in physical rehabilitation, making them more durable, lightweight, and adaptable to individual needs. These advanced materials improve the comfort and functionality of prosthetics, orthotic supports, and rehabilitation equipment, enabling better mobility and reducing physical strain for users. The improved ergonomics and responsiveness of such devices contribute to a more effective recovery process, enhancing patients’ confidence and overall well-being. Additionally, the use of nanomaterials in rehabilitation tools can provide biofeedback mechanisms, helping individuals monitor progress and stay motivated, which supports mental health. By reducing discomfort and increasing independence, these innovations ultimately foster a positive psychological impact, promoting resilience and emotional stability in individuals undergoing rehabilitation.
Given all this, we are still wondering what nanotechnology could possibly offer to real life when dealing with problems like drug abuse, schizophrenia, neurological disorders, musculo skeletal impairments. And will these innovations be equally distributed? If healthcare systems are already struggling with inequity, what ensures that these advancements don’t simply reinforce existing disparities? The future of nanotechnology in healthcare is not just about innovation—it is about integration. It must align with ethical considerations, caregiving structures, and the policies that shape medical access. If advanced nanomaterials are to bridge the invisible gaps in healthcare, they must do so with an awareness that medicine is more than just science; it is a deeply human practice, interwoven with the lives, emotions, and social conditions of those it seeks to serve.
We are grateful for the financial support of the European Research Agency through the EU Horizon 2020 MSCA RISE Project, ReACTIVE Too, Grant Agreement No 871163.
Writers:
Taina Jyräkoski, M.Sc., physiotherapist, project manager, Satakunta University of Applied Sciences
Jenni Huhtasalo, RN, D. Soc. Sc., Senior Researcher, Satakunta University of Applied Sciences
Evgeni Ivanov, Prof., Research and Development of Nanomaterials and Nanotechnologies -NanoTechLab Ltd., Acad., Sofia, Bulgaria
When I heard about the open Erasmus Mundus Design Measures (EMDM) call in January 2024, I saw it as an opportunity to start planning a curriculum leading to a Master’s Degree in International Rehabilitation and Technology, to which we would need partners from both Europe and beyond. When mapping partners, Rosenheim Technical University of Applied Sciences (TH Rosenheim) in Germany, was selected as one of the best institutions of higher education. I received enthusiastic reception and TH Rosenheim promised to participate in the call. After receiving the information needed for the project application and a description of TH Rosenheim’s offerings and opportunities, I wanted to get to know both the activities and the people on the site in more detail. Fortunately, I was welcomed and so the exchange week already took place in April. The trip to Rosenheim via Munchen was smooth and I arrived at Rosenheim in the evening, where the temperature was +28. So, I can say that I received a warm welcome.
Lilac flowered already in Rosenheim in April.
TH Rosenheim is founded in 1971. In March 2024, there were 32 undergraduate Bachelor’s degree programmes, 3 part-time Bachelor´s degree programmes, 11 consecutive Master’s degree programmes and 6 post-graduate Master´s degree programmes. TH Rosenheim offers studies in technology, economy, design, health and social affairs. The number of students is around 6,400. For now, there are over 100 laboratories and workshops, and new facilities are planned. TH Rosenheim is very famous for wood technology which was shown e.g. in the exhibition in the entrance hall of the Campus.
The exhibition in the entrance hall of the Campus.
My host department was the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences. Based on my wishes, they had drawn up a very interesting and rewarding programme. In addition to future-oriented project negotiations, I had the opportunity to see different laboratories (Engineering Labs, Medical Technology Lab, Nursing Skills Lab) and simulation situations (Medical Technology simulations) as well as to have fruitful discussions with nursing students. Especially medical technology simulations were an eye-opening teaching situation where students became familiar with the technical and functional characteristics of the equipment and devices. In the design of the equipment, the teachers had used their ingenuity and creativity – great innovations at low cost.
Medical Technology Lab with ultrasound and ECG simulations.
On the last day, I got to know Freilassing and the Dein Haus 4.0 there. It is a residential competence centre at the Freilassing and Rosenheim sites in the administrative district of Upper Bavaria, which reminds a lot of MeWet Home. MeWet is multifunctional environment for Well-being enhancing technology involving SAMK’s and Sataedu’s students. Dein Haus 4.0 combines, among other things, new technologies and their design, sustainable development, economy and accessible health services, especially for the elderly, as well as research.
An innovation that fits in a small space but allows an elderly person, for example, to sit while putting on their shoes, and produced by a student.
Bavaria with its beautiful scenery and friendly colleagues left an indelible impression. The international exchange succeeded just as I had hoped, i.e. I learned and saw much, and I created new contacts that make it easy to continue working together. Until next time…
