Free Integration workshop for women

[angiepohja]

English speakers have a precarious position amongst immigrants in Finland. Our mother tongue is widely spoken in this country and thus our motivation to learn Finnish is only as great as the necessity. This, without a doubt hinders the integration process and keeps some of us on the outside looking in at the society longer than we want to.

When I moved to Finland in 1993, I was so looking forward to relaxing and not having to work for “awhile”. That little vacation from work lasted 7 years. I sure wasn’t expecting that. In fact, I was ready to give up the holiday after a couple of months. I found it terribly difficult to make friends and my once praised social skills were falling out from beneath me from lack of use. Once confident and full of humor, I became shy and afraid to speak for fear of being misunderstood or just simply looking foolish.

For the last 5 years I have been working for the Finnish Red Cross in a project called Kotopolku – “the path home”. The aim of the project is to further the integration of immigrants in Finland. Integration, in my mind, is a two-sided process in which the foreigner and the surrounding society adapt to each other. As an integration advocate, I have taught Finns and foreigners more about each other and about this process. I have also learned a great deal about myself, my attitudes and what motivates me.

Now it’s time to take all I’ve learned in my own process and my work and share it with the group I understand best – english speaking women. I will offer free workshop in Helsinki on April 21st and 22nd. Please send me email for further details if you would like to participate.
angela.pohja@kotopolku.redcross.fi
http://www.kotopolku.redcross.fi


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Programme



Day 1


• What does home mean to me?

• What is integration?

I. Integration vs. assimilation (melting pot).
II. What things are included in integration the process?
a. Mind mapping the process

• So I don’t know Finnish, Do I know anything?
I. What skills do I bring to this society?
II. What are my chances of getting a job in Finland?

• Social networks and life stages -friends
I. Volunteering as a tool for integration
II. The Red Cross in Finland their history of working with immigrants
III. Info about other organizations?



• Kotopolku Game/Integration simulation *

• Integration Time line/ make your own


Day 2

• Presenting the Time lines

• Focus on the Future - Treasure Mapping


• Vahvuskortit *




*Activities will be in Finnish as well, but this should not inhibit anyone who wants to from participating.