Join the Hidden Gems spouse community and get support in navigating in the new country and planning your life and career!
Peer support group for international spouses
In spring, our new Gems will begin their journey into the Finnish society while receiving support from their peers. The peer group aims to empower you in integration into the Finnish society as well as to provide an arena to build social networks. You will receive ideas and tools how to develop yourself professionally and how to prepare for employment in Finland. You will learn to identify your personal and professional strengths and make an action plan for the months to follow. On top of that, you will have an opportunity to attend a Finnish course.
The group meets five times in March. The meetings are facilitated by a mentor/coach. The working language is English. Participation is free of charge. After the peer group you are encouraged to continue your journey in the events organised by Tampere-based associations and organisations as well as the International House Tampere and its partners.
In the group, you are encouraged to share feelings and insights on the process of adapting to and navigating in a new culture. A peer support group is a safe place and an enjoyable and rewarding experience when all members are committed to supporting each other, therefore commitment and active participation are required of you. In many cases new friendships are born!
Sign up here by 15 February 2023. Edit 16.2.2023: The sign-up period has closed. We thank all candidates!
Future steps
We will review candidates’ profiles and pay special attention to your motivation and commitment to attend the group meetings. We can accept approximately 25. We will contact all candidates during the weeks 7-8/2023. The first group meeting will be held in week 9/2023.
We reserve the right to make changes. If necessary, some of the meetings may be organised online.
In case of any questions, please feel free to email us at hiddengems@tuni.fi. You will find guides for international newcomers on relocation to and settling in Finland in the Articles and Guides section.
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.
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 labour market.
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 university researchers. Recently, the activities have been opened to other spouses who have followed their partners to Tampere, 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 academic year 2022-2023, peer support groups are the activity offered.