Meet the Theatre Academy’s Student Ambassadors

7.4.2025 1 Like 0 kommenttia

Student ambassadors Pauliina, George 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.

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.

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).