Meet the Sibelius Academy’s Student Ambassadors

7.4.2025 0 Like 2 kommenttia

Student ambassadors Matilda, Tuuli, Sabina, Olena, Miina, Haiyun and Anton introduce themselves. Want to ask about music studies? You can reach us at: siba.student.ambassadors@uniarts.fi.

Tuuli (she/her), Master’s in Music Education

Languages: Finnish, English, and a little bit of Swedish.

I am originally from Turku, Finland, but I’ve been living in Helsinki since 2019. I chose Uniarts because the department I applied to offers a versatile set of skills that will help me build a career in music and the arts. I was drawn to the many possibilities it offered to explore my musicality. One of my favourite aspects of Uniarts has been the opportunity to explore different areas within the arts. Even though my major is music education, I’ve had the privilege of studying musical theatre as a minor at the Theatre Academy. It has been an incredible experience to explore other academies and take inspiring courses both within and outside of my major.

My favourite place in Finland is our family’s summer cottage, located in the Turku Archipelago on an island called Högsåra. If you ever have the chance to visit, I highly recommend it. It’s my safe place, where I feel grounded and at peace. Anywhere near the sea calms me down—that’s truly my happy place.

To me, being a student ambassador means connecting with others and expanding my creative thinking. I want to contribute to making Uniarts more accessible to all kinds of artists. I also aim to help foster a more united community within the university. A big plus is getting to work with and be inspired by all the amazing people I meet along the way.

Olena, Bachelor’s in Classical Music Performance

Languages: English, Ukrainian. 

I was born in Kyiv, Ukraine. My first education was a bit of a mess, which led me to actively search for new places to study and pursue the education I had always wanted. I came to Helsinki to visit my friends for the winter holidays and completely fell in love with the city. It’s cozy and beautiful, blending city life with nature in perfect harmony. I had met musicians from SibA and realized that somehow, this academy combined all I was looking for: an active, diverse community, dynamic concert life, and amazing facilities. I could feel the city’s genuine enthusiasm for something new and unusual. I always wanted to explore so many things, and here I finally have the space and support to try them all – such as contemporary music, improvisation, early music, various collaborations and many more.

One thing that pleasantly surprised me about Sibelius Academy is its strong connection with other Uniarts academies – the Academy of Fine Arts and Theater Academy. It gives so many new opportunities and helps to find more people to make art with. I love how I can freely take different courses from other academies, and I also just enjoy spending time there. Some of my favourite places in Helsinki are Café Regatta, Arkadia Bookshop, Rikhardinkatu Library, and when I need more nature – Mustikkamaa island. I even saw some jellyfish there!

I am new to being a student ambassador, but I already enjoy it so much! It gives me a broader perspective on student life as a whole and allows me to be an active part of the community. I appreciate how we can help people interested in studying in Finland gain a realistic and in-depth understanding of what they can expect here!

Matilda (she/her), Master’s in Arts Management, Society and Creative Entrepreneurship

Languages: Swedish, Finnish, English, some German

I am from Finland. I was working as a theatremaker, and through my work as an artistic director of a children’s theatre, I became interested in the workings of cultural institutions. I had also been wanting to pursue further education, and when I found the Arts Management programme, it seemed like a great fit. My favourite thing in my program is definitely hanging out with my amazing fellow students. Also, all the possibilities of choosing interesting subjects from all of Uniarts.

My favourite places in Helsinki are all the thrift shops! I love any place by the shore where I can gaze out over the sea and into the horizon. For example, Kuusiluoto is a nice place to take a hike on duckboards and visit the sheep on the island in the summer. I became an ambassador to provide any support I can for future applicants navigating the daunting jungle of school applications.

Siiri, Bachelor’s in Cultural Study of Music

Languages: Finnish and English, some Swedish. Studying German and French.

I am from Jalasjärvi, a village located in the South Ostrobothnia region. I have a background in classical violin, and since I was young, SibA has seemed to be a highly appreciated educational establishment. However, I ended up seeking more academic studies when I realized that I love reading, writing and research much more than spending hours in a practice room. The Cultural Study of Music programme was the perfect fit, integrating my musical background while allowing me to grow intellectually and develop my research skills. My degree program is organised by the Seinäjoki unit of Uniarts and carried out in a hybrid format.

My favourite thing about Uniarts is that it brings together students from diverse backgrounds, each specializing in unique forms of artistic expression. It is a dynamic hub for revolutionary ideas and innovative thinking.

Some of the happiest days of my life have been in the Archipelago surrounded by the deep blue Baltic Sea, far from the rush of the city. Especially the outer islands hold a special place in my heart. Last summer my mission was to explore the archipelago near Helsinki and I fell in love with Kaunissaari (Eng. beautiful island). 

Being a student ambassador is an opportunity to connect with future and current students, as well as get to know the University better. I want to emphasize how enriching and inspiring studying here can be, and I hope to help others find their own paths within this University. I also wish to encourage more artists to challenge themselves academically!

Yesol (she/her), Master’s in Arts Management

Languages: English, Korean, Swedish, Dutch, and now I’m trying to learn Finnish!

I was born in the Netherlands, but before coming to Finland, I was living in Korea! My background is in the music tech field, and before I moved to Finland, I was living such a hectic life in Seoul, Korea. Though I enjoyed it very much and excelled at what I was doing, there was so much more I wanted to do in my life. So, I always had a few plans in my mind, and one of them was to go back to academia. Uniarts was one of the few universities that offered an Arts Management program. Plus, Finland was an attractive country to study and live in. My favourite thing about Uniarts is the people. I feel incredibly blessed. 

Coming from a megacity with a population close to 10 million, Helsinki as a city itself provides me with a sense of serenity. A few weeks ago, during the night, I explored Kaivopuisto for the first time as part of Lux Helsinki. Seeing the whole park covered in snow was insanely beautiful. I walked around the whole park; it was such a calming night.

Transitioning to student life has been a significant change for me, and being a student ambassador adds another layer of belonging at SibA, as I get to promote and talk about my studying experiences here. In the future, I would love to document my journey as an art student, a corporate dropout, and a master’s student abroad. There is so much I want to share!

Anton, Master’s in Music Education

Languages: Finnish, German, English

I am from Finland. My favourite thing about University of the Arts is being surrounded by so many talented, creative and inspiring people, who motivate me to get better in my own craft, as well as try new things even outside of my comfort zone!

My favourite place around Helsinki is the shoreline, especially around Hietaniemi or as the locals call it “Hietsu”. In the summer Hietsu’s main attraction is of course the big beach which is optimal for going for a swim in the sea! In the summer you can also rent a city bike and follow the shoreline all the way to Seurasaari!  Also, in the winter the sea around Hietsu is usually frozen and you can walk on the ice to the nearby island. One hidden gem is also the Hieataniemi graveyard, which is ideal for walking through, if you want to get away from the city noise. I would suggest especially going there in the fall, when the leaves are beginning to drop from the trees, or in the winter if it has snowed! One of my absolute favourite spots to relax is the little less crowded island of Pihlajasaari in Helsinki. From May to the end of August, for a small cost you can take a short ferry ride either from Ruoholahti or Eiranranta to the island. At the island you can swim, hike, have a picnic or if you are feeling adventurous, even take a tent with you and spend the night there!

As a student ambassador I’ve had the opportunity to be a part of various tasks, ranging from market research to holding presentations about the university to high school students. Back when I was still thinking about applying to SibA, talking to current students and hearing about their experiences was a major reason why I ultimately chose to apply here. Now as a student ambassador, I hope that sharing my experiences, both in as well as outside of school, can help anyone interested in Uniarts.

Haiyun (she/them), Master’s in Arts Management, Society and Creative Entrepreneurship

Languages: Chinese, English

I came from China and when I was looking for an arts management programme related with performing art and about how art is related with shaping the values of society, I found my current programme in Sibelius Academy. Plus, I traveled to Finland for my high school graduation trip, and I visited the Sibelius Monument! Thus, I applied immediately for this programme and I’m happy that I got accepted! In University of the Arts, I enjoy creating interesting projects with people from different backgrounds. My places to go in Helsinki are Vintage UFF and Cat café.

Being a student ambassador means being a window to the student life in University of the Arts. We’re able to have a channel to share our daily student life, reflect on the whole institution from our student’s perspective, and raise the awareness of well-being and make a difference as a student in UniArts. I’m newly onboard as a student ambassador, and I’m really looking forward to working with others during my study here!

Miina, Bachelor’s in Music Education

Languages: Finnish and English (can understand/speak a bit of German and Swedish)

I am from a little village in Central Finland. After studying abroad, I wanted to experience student life in Finland and continue studying music. The studies at Music Education provide good musicianship skills as well as general knowledge through pedagogical studies. My favorite place in Finland is by the fireplace in my childhood home in the middle of the forest. In Helsinki one of the best places is a walk or run in Seurasaari.

Being a student ambassador is a nice way to get to meet students from different Uniarts campuses as well as from my own. For me as a student ambassador it’s important to share my experiences realistically as a degree student for both people who might consider applying to Uniarts but also to the faculty of university.

Sabina, Master’s in Classical Music Performance, Accordion

Languages: Polish, English

I am from Warsaw, Poland. I first came here as an Erasmus student, and then I fell deeply for Sibelius Academy. The pedagogues were very inspiring and encouraging to go beyond limitations with a calm and peaceful attitude. The practice rooms and all facilities were also of outstanding quality. The improvisation module that I took gave me a lot of experiences that I always wanted to delve into! Also, the improvisation pedagogy conducted by Erja Joukamo-Ampuja was beyond my highest expectations.

One of my favorite places in Helsinki is Viikintien läntinen silta. It’s a place where the Vantaa river connects with the sea. I adore watching how the waterfall changes through the seasons.

I became a student ambassador because I want to help future and current students of Uniarts and improve their lives. As I can relate to their problems, it is uplifting to help and support such a unique group.

Photography and editing by the Student Ambassadors of the Academy of Fine Arts: Snowdrop (@Snowdrop_Belmont), Anastasiia Lapteva (@aasyalapteva), and Rong-Ci Zhang (@rrong.ci.zhang).