Meet the Theatre Academy’s Student Ambassadors

7.4.2025 1 Like 0 kommenttia

Student ambassadors Anna, Pauliina, Sointu and Chen introduce themselves. Want to ask about theatre, dance or performance studies? You can reach us at: teak.student.ambassadors@uniarts.fi.

Anna (she/her), Master’s in Comparative Dramaturgy and Performance Research

Languages: Finnish, English, French and basic Swedish and Estonian. 

I am from Helsinki, but I’ve also lived in the UK, France, Estonia and have spent some extended periods in Iceland. I chose Teak because I wanted to learn more about the inner mechanisms of performance-making. The Comparative Dramaturgy and Performance Research double degree allowed me to study within the Finnish theatre landscape, as well as to spend a year in Paris introducing myself to the French theatre culture. My favourite thing about Uniarts is the study culture, where students are respected and treated as valued members of the institution’s artist community. Here I truly feel like I can contribute to my study program and beyond, and that my thoughts and ideas are listened to.

What I love about Helsinki is that wherever you go in the city centre, you’ll always find the sea. Staring at the Baltic Sea makes me feel connected to the rest of the world and at one with my environment. I love walking in the Central Park of Helsinki with pine trees, squirrels and occasional horses having their afternoon trot. I also enjoy immensely the simple pleasure of swimming at the Mäkelänrinne swimming pool and alternating Finnish sauna and steam bath after time spent in the pool.

As a student ambassador, I want to share my authentic experience as a Uniarts student with potential future students and beyond. I am excited to offer help and guidance to those who are interested in applying to the school, and to chat with anyone who wants to have insight into the day-to-day activities of this institution.

Pauliina (she/her), Master’s in Dance Pedagogy

Languages: I speak Finnish, English, Swedish and I know the basics of French & Russian too. I love languages!

I’m originally from a little village in Finland called Oitti. I have lived and travelled to many places around the world. I applied to Teak because of its unique master’s program. I also wanted to network with new people from different programs at Uniarts. Getting to know new people has been the best! Also, I really appreciate my classmates and am so grateful that we can study together and learn with/from each other. I love the dance studios with big windows viewing outside. I appreciate that we can use the facilities as much as we want.

In Finland, I especially like places near the water. Of my many favourite places I’d say the Saimaa Lake area is my favourite. Last summer I saw the Saimaa ringed seal for the very first time there. I enjoy all the beautiful National parks in Finland! When I want to connect with nature I’ll spend a day in the forest, or for more time I spend a night or two in my tent.

For me, being a student ambassador is a possibility to share honestly about our studies and university life. I think it is great that we can make the information more accessible and answer all the questions there might be.

George (they/them), Master’s in Live Art and Performance Studies

Languages: Greek, English, French

I originally come from Cyprus but have lived around Europe quite a bit. I ended up in Finland, and particularly at Teak, by chance. My background is theoretical, but I was always performing alongside my education and work. Without a “proper” educational background in performance, I wanted to explore it more methodically. While seeking philosophy/theory Ph.Ds in the US, I stumbled upon the open call for the LAPS program just a day before an online conversation with the coordinator, Tero Nauha. I joined the conversation, and it felt more welcoming and safe than any other program I was considering. So, I decided to give it a shot, and here I am, a year and a half later, still figuring out how to walk on snow. My main reason for choosing this program was its combination of theory and practice. I believe that allowing multiplicities to exist through knowledge and practice is essential, which is why both are needed for a well-rounded body of work.

As far as the academy goes, still to this day, my favourite thing is the variety of services and activities available in one place. Initially, I disliked spending all my time at school, but once I let go of it, I realized how great it is to have a gym, dance studio, sauna, singing rooms, and library just five minutes from home. My favourite area in Helsinki has to be Lapinlahti, which combines a beautiful park, a body of water, the gorgeous Hietaniemi cemetery and Lapinlahti Hospital, which used to be an asylum. As someone who has darker aesthetic sensibilities, knowing that the history of the place is so packed and dense just thrills my mind. Plus, the trees around the area are so gorgeous and massive that I feel like Helena Bonham Carter in a Tim Burton movie.

Becoming a student ambassador was a natural choice for me, as I come from a background in facilitating workshops and events and working with students. By nature I’m a very social character, so I made friends quickly, but it was still challenging to fully connect with life here. I wanted to somehow extend the “fieldwork” I’ve put into other people who might need it. Helsinki is a safe and open-minded city, but those aspects aren’t accessible to everyone. My goal is to be a channel for others to familiarize themselves with the academy and the city. This role fascinates me because it involves bringing people together and sharing experiences. Ultimately, by sharing knowledge, the grey and foggy background of Finland is made as playful and enjoyable as it can be.

Sointu (she/her), Master’s in Dance Performance

Languages: Finnish, English, French and basics in Swedish and Italian

I am from Espoo, Finland. I did my Contemporary Dance BA in London, so I wanted to study my Masters in Finland to be able to network more here. The study program is quite diverse and also we, students, can have a say on, e.g., what kind of teachers we want to invite and what kind of workshops we wish to have. I like the trust and respect that Uniarts has on students in this sense. I really love Theatre Academy’s wardrobe! There’re so many beautiful and interesting pieces of clothing and the staff is super friendly and helpful. Most of all, however,  I love my great classmates who make every day at school wonderful <3 I have a very basic Finn’s answer: my favorite place in Finland is my grandma’s summer cottage. It’s on an island in central Finland, and a real time capsule to the past – there’s no electricity at all and the only way to get there is by rowing boat.

Being a student ambassador is about helping other people, especially those who think of whether they want to apply to Uniarts. We also help the school by working in Uniarts’ events sometimes. This position is also quite new, so we’re also innovating and brainstorming a lot to develop it.

Chen, Master’s in Choreography

Languages: English, Hebrew 

I am from Israel, Morocco, Romania. After living here with my partner for about six months, we decided to stay in the area. Having previously learned about the choreography MA program at Uniarts, witnessing numerous performances and various productions, I concluded that it offered an ideal environment for enhancing my creative and choreographic exploration. I saw it as an opportunity to deepen my ongoing research, and network with professionals both locally and internationally. One of my cherished spots in Helsinki is in Laajasalo, by the sea. I have been taking frequent walks with my dog around the area, where we stumbled upon a green area within the forest, offering a view of the sea and its small islands adorned with boats and little houses. Watching my dog explore the shoreline, dipping into the water in search of fish and tracing scents, I would sit beside him, gazing out at the horizon. Whenever I revisit this spot, I’m instantly transported to the moment of now. Being a student ambassador encompasses a wide range of responsibilities for me. I’m involved in organizing social and community events at the university, from planning and coordination to overseeing the event and assisting with registration. However, the most fulfilling aspect of this role for me is providing prospective students with the opportunity to connect with someone who is actively studying at the university. I believe it’s essential for them to have a platform to ask questions and address any concerns they may have. 

Before embarking on my master’s degree in choreography, I was seeking guidance from current students, which proved invaluable in gaining insight into the program’s dynamics and the atmosphere of the university. This role takes on added significance when you come to Finland from vastly different cultural backgrounds, requiring time and patience to acclimate to the weather, social and cultural norms and more. I take this role as an opportunity to try and make welcoming space for individuals from diverse backgrounds, helping them feel included, fostering an environment where questions are encouraged, and ultimately contributing, even in a small way, to cultivating a sense of belonging in their new surroundings. 

Sarah, Master’s in Sound Design

Languages: Finnish, English, and Farsi—and I can hold my own in Swedish and German too.

I’m originally from Finland but spent nearly a decade living abroad. I chose Teak to deepen my sound design expertise, but also to connect with a creative community that keeps me inspired. My favorite thing about Teak? The projects and the people! There’s something special about collaborating with like-minded folks who share the same passion and drive for artistic work.

When I need a breather, I love escaping to nature spots near the city—places like Kivinokka and Mustikkamaa. They’re just 10 minutes away from the hustle and bustle, yet they feel like a peaceful retreat.

As a student ambassador, I’m here to share my experiences and hopefully help others, especially those coming from abroad. Having studied outside of Finland myself, I know how exciting (and sometimes overwhelming) it can be. And after living away for so long, I totally get what it’s like to feel like a tourist in your own country!

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).