Peer group
This season, new Gems will start their journey of settling in Finland with the support of peers. The group offers a welcoming space to share experiences, build social networks and explore opportunities. Group meetings are facilitated by a mentor/coach, and there will also be informal social meetings.
In the group, we share ideas and inspiration to help you explore your life and career options. You will work with reflective exercises that support your professional growth and help you prepare for employment in Finland by identifying your unique skills and strengths.
The group offers a space to develop an action or development plan for the months ahead, supported by peer exchange and guided discussions.
You will also have the opportunity to attend a Finnish self-study course.
Commitment and active participation
Hidden Gems is a peer-based programme that supports international spouses in building connections, testing small steps, and finding their own way forward. It is not a service, the value comes from what participants actively put into it. A peer support group like this is most rewarding when everyone is committed to supporting each other. This means taking small initiative: for example, meeting other participants between sessions or suggesting something informal together.
Active participation is an essential part of the programme, including attending meetings and taking small initiative between sessions. Together, we aim to create a friendly environment where everyone feels seen.
Practical details
The group meets in person at Tampere University (TAU) city centre campus in September-November 2026. Meetings are usually held on Wednesdays at 15:00-17:00. The working language is English.
Who can apply?
We warmly welcome applications from
i) Spouses of researchers and staff at Tampere Universities Community (TAU and TAMK), including doctoral researchers and grant holders (TAU).
ii) Spouses whose partners work for companies in Tampere or are start up founders based here.
iii) If there is room, we also welcome applications from spouses whose partners are pursuing a Master’s degree at Tampere University (TAU).
We have limited seats, and priority will be given to spouses of Tampere Universities Community employees (TAU and TAMK) and spouses of doctoral researchers and grant holders (TAU).
Participation is free of charge.
Sign-up
Application form Application deadline is 31 August 2026.
Future steps
We will carefully review applications, paying special attention to your motivation and commitment. We can accept approximately 20 participants. All applicants will be informed of the results by 3 September 2026. Selected participants will receive an invitation to the first meeting on 9 September 2026.
If you have questions, please email us at hiddengems(at)tuni.fi. You will find guides and resources for newcomers in the Guides section.
After the Hidden Gems peer group, we hope you will continue your journey by joining events organised by Tampere based associations and the International House Tampere.
We reserve the right to make changes.
Community building, networking and professional growth
Networking
Creating a welcoming space for spouses to start building social and professional connections in Finland. The aim is to encourage networking and relationship building as sources of peer support, professional contacts and information about life and career opportunities in Tampere.
Peer group mentoring
Encouraging spouses to reflect on their life and career path options and to identify their strengths, skills and abilities using guided techniques and tools. The aim is to provide supportive and flexible mentoring, turning skills and strengths into a source of personal and professional well-being.
Professional development
Familiarising spouses with options in Finland and introducing tools to create an individual action or development plan for the months ahead. Furthermore, the aim is to offer an opportunity to begin learning Finnish.
Hidden Gems is the spouse programme by Tampere University (TAU). Initially designed to support the spouses of our university researchers, the programme has since expanded to include other spouses whose partners have been hired to work in Tampere. Over the years, the Hidden Gems initiative has organised a variety of services and activities related to networking, mentoring and professional development, as a key for talent attraction and retention within Tampere Region. In the academic year 2026-2027, peer groups are the activity offered.