Study Abroad Visiting Programme

Programme overview

The Study Abroad Visiting Programme, jointly organized by the Oregon Institute of Technology (OIT) in the United States and Lapland University of Applied Sciences (Lapland UAS), offered a unique opportunity for students and teachers to engage in cross-cultural exchange and explore themes related to leadership, sustainable transformation, and innovation in Finland’s Lapland region. The programme was hosted at Lapland UAS in September 2024. All together 25 students and 3 professors from OIT and 30 students, 4 teachers from Lapland UAS joined the programme.

Beyond the classroom

In the afternoon, the students participated in an integration activity outside the academic environment, which included a hike along the beautiful trails of Ounasvaara. After the hike, they gathered around a campfire, roasted marshmallows, shared snacks, and enjoyed a pleasant time together. This outdoor experience allowed the students to relax, get to know each other better, and strengthen bonds in a natural and welcoming setting.

Day 1: September 9th, 2024

The first day of the Study Abroad Visiting Programme, held on September 9th, 2024, at Lapland UAS in Rovaniemi, Finland, focused on leadership and sustainable transformation. The day began with opening remarks by Anzelika Krastina, senior lecturer at Lapland UAS and Sonja Bickford from OIT as main organisers and hosts of the event. Key sessions covered sustainable transformation from a global perspective, the university’s sustainability strategy, and the challenges and opportunities for the tourism industry in Lapland. The afternoon featured an innovative workshop, where participants worked in multicultural teams to analyze factors influencing sustainable development, concluding with a discussion and closing remarks.

Day 2: September 10th, 2024

Focus on research, development, and innovation (RDI). The day began with a presentation by Rauhala Pertti, Head of the Frostbit Software Lab, who introduced the lab’s cutting-edge projects in software development and digital innovation. After a lunch break, participants toured the campus to explore the university’s facilities, followed by a visit to the TEQU Entrepreneurship Lab, where they learned how innovative ideas are rapidly transformed into prototypes, showcasing the university’s dedication to fostering entrepreneurship and technological advancement.

Text and photo credit: Sánchez Valdez Irene and Krastina Anzelika