First days at the Campus

The first two weeks of our studies were like a huge information avalanche coming right on us. There we were, lost and confused TOBBA13 (our group name) freshmen, trying to remember everything that was said and somehow make sense of it..

Our studies started with 3 orientation days. During those days we were introduced to the campus, to our studies and practical issues such as course enrollments, schedules and interactive platforms used in our studies, but most of all, to our group. Our beloved tutors were our guides during those confusing orientation days and they organized fun "get-to-know-each-other-games" for every day. The highlight of the orientation days was our first Campus Goes Wild -party with the tutors and other Porvoo freshmen.

HAAGA-HELIA University of Applied Sciences has its own Student Union called HELGA and Porvoo Campus has its own local Student Association called HePo ry which is a part of HELGA. HePo ry is responsible of the student trusteeship at Porvoo Campus and it organizes all kinds of activites for students such as Campus Does Sports -sports evenings and Campus Goes Wild -student parties. HELGA's maybe the most visible feature at the Campus are the tutors: they're all dressed up in tutor T-shirts and petrol blue coveralls filled with coverall patches. Among shy and nervous freshmen they didn't seem just the most visible people but also the most loud people in the crowd..

For a lost freshman tutors are like the saving angels. They give you all the information needed on how to become a HAAGA-HELIA student and how to navigate in the information jungle. The whole campus may seem like a jungle although Porvoo Campus is very transparent; all "class room" walls are made of glass! (More info about our Campus' innovative design can be found from the "Encounters" video at the bottom of the page.) Tutors are always there when you need them and at least to my opinion all our tutors are awesome! :)

After the first days at Porvoo Campus I felt like I was at home. Tutors and our teachers weren't just some faceless "authorities" or "information guys", they were humans, personalities and there just for us. The warm welcome to our new working community gave me the feeling that I am in the right place. It also made me motivated towards my studies and towards our group's common success. I felt like a part of a big family, HAAGA-HELIA family. :)