Otto Rantanen, International Fresher Captain
A new semester is around the corner, which means you can feel the Spirit of Skinnarila in the air. This time it is your turn to join Finnish university life, an excellent opportunity to start a new chapter. I warmly welcome you to LUT University!
I am Otto, a 21-year-old third-year student in the Sustainable International Business programme (SIB). I grew up in Järvenpää and just finished my exchange in the Netherlands. Together with Mikael and the Enklaavi tutors, my job is to make sure your integration into the Skinnarila student community goes smoothly and with a smile on your face.
If you have questions about studying in Lappeenranta or student culture, contact me by email or Telegram (@otto_rantanen). I will be at all kinds of events throughout the year, so come say hi. Can’t wait to see you all in August!
Mikael Niemelä, Finnish Fresher Captain
Hey new Enklaavi students! Welcome to Lappeenranta and huge congratulations on your study place. You have worked hard for this, so be proud of yourselves! Whether or not Lappeenranta was your first choice, I hope you arrive with an open mind, ready to challenge yourselves and meet new people, because there will be a lot of them 🙂
I’m Mikael Niemelä (Miksu to friends), 21, starting my second year, and I come from a small enclave of my own: Kauniainen, surrounded by Espoo. Moving to Lappeenranta felt exciting, but the nerves went quickly once I got to know the student community. Our student culture rests on something unique to Lappeenranta, the Spirit of Skinnarila: everyone feels at home in Skinnarila whatever their background. So be brave and get to know students from other fields too.
My job is to make sure every fresher enjoys life in Lappeenranta as much as possible, by hanging out with you at events, on campus and in free time. Otto, our international fresher captain, focuses on welcoming international freshers. Come and talk to us: there are no stupid questions, only stupid answers. Your tutors and the Enklaavi board are here for you too.