Peer support group for international spouses
Starting in August 2022, our participants will begin their journey into the Finnish society while receiving support from their peers. The peer support group aims to empower its members in their integration into the Finnish society as well as to provide them an arena to build social networks. The participants will receive ideas and tools how to develop themselves professionally and how to prepare for employment in Finland. Moreover, they have an opportunity to attend a Finnish course.
The peer group meetings are facilitated by a mentor/coach. The group meets four times after which the spouses can continue their journey with workshops and events organised by International House Tampere and local associations. The language is English. Participation is free of charge.
In the group the members are encouraged to share their feelings and insights on the process of adapting to a new culture and society. A peer support group is a safe place and an enjoyable and rewarding experience when the participants are committed to supporting each other, therefore commitment and active participation are required from the potential participants.
Sign up here by 15 August 2022. Edit 16.8.2022: The sign-up period has closed. We thank all applicants.
Future steps – We will review participants’ profiles and pay special attention to your motivation and commitment to the group meetings. We will then contact you in week 33/2022. In case of any questions, please feel free to email us at hiddengems@tuni.fi.
Edited 20.7.2022 – We follow closely the development of the pandemic and reserve the right to make changes. If necessary, some of the meetings may be organised online.
Join the Hidden Gems spouse community and get networking, mentoring and professional support in your integration into the Finnish society!
Networking
Providing a safe environment for the participants to build and cultivate a set of social and professional connections in Finland. The aim is to activate the participants to see the diverse social networks as a valuable source of peer support, professional contacts and information on job leads.
Peer group mentoring
Encouraging the participants to identify their strengths, skills, and abilities, to reflect on their career path options and to define a set of goals in Finland. The aim is to strengthen the participants’ self-esteem and turn their expertise into an asset for the Finnish society.
Professional development
Familiarising the participants with options in Finland and new ways to flourish in the Finnish society as well as encouraging them to come up with individual action plans for the months to follow.
Hidden Gems is an initiative by the Tampere Universities community. Initially, it supported the spouses of international researchers. Recently, the activities have been opened to spouses whose partners work in the private sector, too. Over the years, the Hidden Gems initiative has organised a variety of activities related to networking, mentoring and professional development, as a key for talent attraction and retention within Tampere Region. In year 2022, a peer support group is the activity offered.