Meet the Theatre Academy’s Student Ambassadors

7.4.2025 1 Like 1 kommenttia

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

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.

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).