International Days
Leadership and expertise
South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences, Xamk, cordially invites staff, teachers and other specialists from our partner institutions to join our International days on 5th – 7th November 2025 at Kotka campus.
The events theme is Leadership and expertise in an international environment.
The international days will be organized on Xamk’s Kotka campus on 5 – 7 November 2025 by the Departments of Logistics, Cyber security, Game programming, Game technologies, Robotics and Energy technologies.
Under the main theme, we will focus on:
- Fostering the future opportunities and international skills to our studens for example:
- Utilizing new technologies in future jobs
- Leading people and organizations in an international environment
- International communication skills
- Introducing opportunities for internationalisation for students
- Enhancing international competences of university staff
- Building international competence for different stakeholders by
- Lectures and workshops
- Networking opportunities
Enrollment
Visiting lecturers are invited to give lectures on their own area of expertise or research. We would wish the lectures to be connected to the main theme or the subthemes of the International days and hope (but not limit) the teaching to be more practical, i.e. that it would be arranged in a form of a workshop, group work or other methods.
If you wish to have lectures during international days, describe the way of your teaching (lecture, workshop, group work, etc.), wishes for room conditions, materials you would need as well as the preferred group size in your abstract. Our normal group size is between 20-40 students.
In addition, please, describe how you wish to divide your teaching hours. Our lessons consist of 45-minute sessions, i.e., for instance, 1.5 hours is calculated as two full teaching hours.
During international days
Along with teaching, this event is a great opportunity for networking with new international partners and discussing future cooperation possibilities for example:
- Students exange
- Staff exhange
- Online courses
- Development of pedagogical methods
- Research and development projects
Programme
At the moment we can give a draft programme for international days. Programme will be announced more detailed later.
- Wednesday, 5th of November:
- Lessons, workshops etc.
- Thursday, 6th of November:
- Lessons, workshops etc.
- Evening: Two possible options:
- Friday, 7th of November:
- Lessons, workshops etc. Friday lectures end at noon and your journey home can begin. If your university´s or company’s travel policy allows, this could be a good time to spend a day or two in Helsinki.
Extra
On Friday, you can also attend Xamk Game Track 2025 on Campus. Game Track is an open event for anyone interested in games, design and business.
Accommodation
There are a few good options for accommodation in Kotka. Hotels are listed below.
- Original Sokos Hotel Seurahuone Located in central Kotka, only 0.6 km from Kotka Train Station, 0.5 km and from the bus station, so you can easily walk to the hotel from here. It offers three saunas and a variety of dining and nightlife options. Distance to Xamk Kotka Campus: approximately 2.5 km.
- Hotelli Merikotka Situated by Kotka Harbor, this hotel is close to Pasaati Shopping Center and is 0.3 km from Kotka Harbor Train station. Distance to Xamk Kotka Campus: approximately 0.4 km.
- Gasthaus Vanha-Merivartioasema Located a short walk from Mansikkalahti Beach, this hotel provides a shared lounge, free private parking, and a terrace. Distance to Xamk Kotka Campus: approximately 3 km.
- Beach Hotel Santalahti Just 50 meters from the Gulf of Finland, this hotel offers a sea-view restaurant, a private beach, and free WiFi. Distance to Xamk Kotka Campus: approximately 7 km.
You can also book accommodation via Airbnb or other service providers.
Travelling to Kotka
Kotka is situated some 130 km from Helsinki. There are two options for traveling to Kotka.
Rental car from airport
Public transport
If you fly to Finland, the next step after arriving at the Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (HEL) is to go to the train station. Helsinki Airport’s train station is located under the terminal. There is a direct elevator and escalator connection from the departures and arrivals hall to the train station. From there, you will go to the P train to Tikkurila train station and change to the long-distance train to Kotka.
Note that you can go with an earlier P train to Tikkurila if you have a bit of extra time. The train ride to Kotka takes (depending on the train type) about 1.5-2 hours altogether. The train arrives close to the city centre.
You can buy your train ticket from the vending machine at the train station or online at VR railway company. It is also quite convenient to download the VR mobile app and buy the ticket in advance from there. You will receive a ticket with 2 QR codes, one for the P train and the other for the long-distance train.
Getting around in Kotka
If you decide to stay in hotels in the city center of Kotka, walking is the easiest way to get around and explore the city center. If you need to use taxi in the Kotka region, you can call for example Kymenlaakso Taksi +358100 87227
Campus address Salakuljettajantie 4, 48100 Kotka
Weather
The weather in November in Finland is generally around +/-0°C. It can be freezing, windy, snowy, icy and very slippery. Good shoes & warm clothing is recommended.
We recommend checking the weather forecast approximately one week before your arrival in Finland. The Finnish Meteorological Institute’s website provides detailed information about the Finnish climate and current forecasts.
The Finnish Meteorological Institute’s website current forecasts.