TaiYo’s vice chairs and board members Sofía and Baraka – both students from outside of EU and EEA countries – have written a blog post raising awareness about the challenges international students face.
For an international student, studying abroad means making a big investment. The University of Arts Helsinki is a well-known institution: many of us dreamt of studying in one of the three academies and we believe that coming here is worth the effort. However, it is becoming more and more difficult: the current Finnish government’s decisions will limit access for international talent from outside Europe, making arts education accessible only to a privileged minority. This will have a result in the loss of the cultural richness have; there are many examples on how much our international students have added to the cultural life in the Helsinki and in Finland.
Students from outside EU/EEA have to pay tuition fees. For the students starting in the fall of 2026 this means 28,000 euros per year in Uniarts. The 50% tuition fee waiver, offered for the last time to incoming students in 2025, was the last economic support available that many still depend on for the continuation of their studies. In addition, the cost of living is often significantly higher here than in our home countries and due to the current employment situation in Finland, relying on part-time work is not always a realistic option.
Everyday life can also present several other challenges: e.g. many students still deal with paperwork for various administrative processes months after arrival and many face discrimination when applying for jobs. What we’re coping with is a system where financial and other uncertainty threatens the completion of studies, and constant stress has also an effect on students’ well-being. With this, we aim to bring awareness about the mental health state of international students when navigating financial pressure, uncertainty, demanding academic schedules, difficulties when learning the language, the challenges of adapting to a new environment, and how sustainable all of this is in the long term.
Some programs at Uniarts are specifically meant to bring in international students and they are taught in English. We come to a university that has diversity, equality and equity in its core values, presenting itself as a welcoming space and supportive environment. And we want to recognize as well that the university has also developed concrete initiatives to support student wellbeing and inclusion, such as equality and non-discrimination policies, student wellbeing services, accessibility efforts, tutoring activities, psychological support, and guidelines aimed at creating a safer and more inclusive study environment for both Finnish and international students. Diversity does not only enrich the university community socially, but also contributes artistically, bringing new ideas, traditions, experiences, and ways of expressing art that is part of a creative environment for everyone. But we also want to highlight that diversity should not be seen and valued only as an asset for the university, but it comes with the social responsibility of truly supporting and caring for the people who embody it.
We are aware that in the current political and economic situation, local students’ stability has also been threatened. We believe that it is necessary to be mindful of each other instead of living in different worlds and truly build a support network. It is important to remember that every student at Uniarts has gone through a careful admissions process. Everyone who has been accepted brings value to the community, has the ability and skills, and has earned their place here.
Something that is also worth bringing to the conversation is that when a student is under financial pressure, it is often other students who are also struggling who are the first ones to offer support from their own limited resources. While solidarity at the grassroots level is powerful and necessary, this dynamic should not be the default solution to structural problems. Support should not rely on those who are already disadvantaged but be strengthened by the institutions that bring us together.
This support we are hoping for could be shown with concrete actions like with building strategies for integration in the first month after orientation through courses and student activities, as well as a structured support for finding relevant internships during studies and after graduation that can also help with the concerns about future opportunities.
While TaiYo is committed to supporting our international student community, we recognize that true change requires solidarity across the entire Finnish higher education and cultural sectors. We call on other student unions, faculty members, university leadership, and cultural institutions to join us in advocating for a system that values international artistic talent not just in rhetoric but in policy. The challenges we face are not unique to Uniarts; they are systemic across Finnish universities. We are aware from The Finnish Transparency Register that there is advocacy being done for international students, and we look forward to knowing more about it, and communicating it to the students. Collective action, shared resources, and unified advocacy can amplify our voices far more effectively than isolated efforts.
Finland cannot isolate itself from the world by making it impossible for even highly skilled and motivated international students to come here. Cultural exchange, learning together and from one another is necessary to navigate the ever changing world. Us, international students, have so much to offer and we are eager to be part of society. All we are asking is for respect as human beings and an opportunity to thrive.
We invite our colleagues across the sector to share their experiences and join us in demanding that Finland’s commitment to equality, education, and the arts extends fully to those who have traveled here to contribute to these values.
Victoria Sofia Gasca,
Vice Chair, TaiYo Board 2026
Baraka Issabu,
Vice Chair, TaiYo Board 2026
Suomi 
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English (UK)