The Organisation of International Social Scientists at the University of Helsinki.
The content on these pages is based on two student guides written and maintained by CISSI: the Freshers' Handbook and the Helsinki Guide. CISSI is the student organisation (ainejärjestö) behind those guides and the people to get in touch with if you're a current or future student in their programmes.
CISSI brings together international and internationally-minded social-sciences students at the University of Helsinki. Officially they are the subject organisation for three English-taught Master's programmes at the Faculty of Social Sciences, but everyone is welcome at their events. All events are run in English, so no Finnish is required.
Primarily students in the COS (Contemporary Societies), GPC (Global Politics and Communication), and ENS (European and Nordic Studies) Master's programmes — but events are open to all.
CISSI runs a mix of classic Finnish student traditions and their own signature events. They often collaborate with other student organisations, so expect to meet people from across the university.
Sitsit
Sitsit — an academic dinner party with a three-course meal, traditional songs, and plenty of 'Helan går!'. Tip: don't pre-drink, but eat well before; portions are small.
Vappu
Vappu (May Day) — a full month of student events, sitsits, beer-pong tournaments, and parties on Kuppala yard. Statues get capped, overalls and white student caps come out, munkki and sima are everywhere.
Vuosijuhla
Annual ball — a fancy vujut-style event in November. Three courses, wine, shots, konjakkikorvat, and a sillis herring brunch the next morning.
Patch sewing nights
Patch sewing nights — sew your student overall patches together.
Pub nights and excursions
Daytime raves, pub nights (most at Bar Tappen in Kallio), work-life and cultural events, sports events, Pikkujoulut in November/December with the Porvoo Christmas Market, Laskiainen sledding, and a Nuuksio autumn trip.
Joining CISSI is free. Register through the link on their website. Follow them on Instagram and Facebook and join their mailing list to hear about events.
The deputy member elections open periodically — a great way to get a preview of board life if you want to get more involved in organising events.
Chair & Equality Coordinator — Priya Chakravartty. Vice-chair & Equality Coordinator — Annika Schäfer (they/them). Treasurer & Co-Student Advocate — Nilüfer Comak. Communication Manager & Co-Student Advocate — Anna Haglund. Secretary — Ida E. Cultural & Environmental Officer — Delfin Idänpään-Heikkilä. Events Coordinator — Fanny Metsä-Tokila. Fresher's Captain — Leonard Ganz. CISSI Mascot — Franz Gorilla.
Two comprehensive guides maintained by CISSI cover arrival administration, housing, healthcare, transport, student life, and all the best places in Helsinki for food, drink, coffee, and saunas. They are the primary source for the content in this University section.
board@cissi.fi
board@cissi.fi — general questions, event suggestions, or to get involved.
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