Building a global campus: LAB invests in services for international students

LAB University of Applied Sciences is a higher education institution that specialises in innovation, business, and various industries. The new LAB University of Applied Sciences started its operations on 1 January 2020, when Lahti and Saimaa University of Applied Sciences merged. Together with LUT University, it forms the high-level, curious, and dynamic university group LUT Universities. LAB positions itself as a global and experimental academic community focused on responsible growth, creating value, utilising diverse materials, and enhancing people’s well-being. 

LAB University’s primary goal is to provide students with a comprehensive education and real work experience that prepares them for life after graduation. The university has approximately 10 400 students, including about 1500 international students, across its three campuses in Lahti, Lappeenranta, and online. 

Building better services for a global student community 

LAB offers multiple English language bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in five fields: technology, business, social services and health care, tourism and hospitality, design, fine arts, and visual communication. Supporting international students who move to Finland for short or long periods is of special interest for LAB. The key is to ensure that information is accessible and easy to understand. Through its student care and support services, LAB assists these students in integrating into their new educational journey. 

– Our ultimate goal is to ensure that students can find all the information they need through our various channels, from the moment they are accepted into LAB, begin their studies, and even when they are about to graduate, explains Jarkko Tuominen, Head of Student Counselling Services at LAB University of Applied Sciences. 

Thus, student support services have been developed further over the past year. These include the international student barometer, which provides students with the opportunity to tell the university what works, what is frustrating for them, and what their experience has been regarding their studies. This tool helps identify ways to improve the experience of current and future international students. 

Another innovative feature is the “SOS” shortcut on the eLAB info page for LAB students. When you type this word into the search bar, it takes you directly to the academic guidance and support services page. Here, students can find help with guidance, problem-solving, community integration, mental and physical health, and more. LAB also offers workshops on well-being, tips for improving your CV and job interview skills, and other resources. 

Additionally, LAB is developing an initiative to involve various city stakeholders who provide services to international students in the orientation process. This way, students can access all the information they need to make their move and integration into Finland easier and more convenient in one event. 

Making sure that the campus is a better place for everyone

– The five previously mentioned fields in which we provide education are essential for the world to function. Hence, we strive to ensure that services are equal for all students. This way, everyone wins, says Tuominen. 

An example of this is the tutoring system that provides support to first-year or exchange students who join LAB.  

– Tutors share their experiences, knowledge, and expertise about studying at LAB and living in Lahti. This is achieved through training and activities organised by the tutors for new students where they can get to know each other, says International Relations Coordinator Dilek Kormaz. 

But as always, there is room for improvement. Since the beginning of this year, a physical community space and service point has been built within the university campus. This space will allow students to be redirected to where they need to go when they have specific problems that cannot be solved with the information provided on the digital platform. The space will be inaugurated for the next academic period.  

– We are excited to open the community space for our students. It will be a place where students can find the information and help they need, meet us and each other, and build a sense of community, says Student Community Coordinator Annukka Kortepuro. 

Images: LAB