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Let’s have some action

Text and photos: Susanna Siironen

Someone might say that free time activities are an essential part of student life. Mikko Vieltojärvi knows this personally. He is one of the volunteers who make for example student trips and parties possible in Oulu University of Applied Sciences. This man knows the importance of free time.

In Club KulttuRally’s events the main point is to have fun.

The Student Union of Oulu University of Applied Sciences OSAKO offers different kinds of activities for students. Club KulttuRally is OSAKO`s organisation that focuses on the funny side of student life. Business economics student Mikko Vieltojärvi was the leader of the Club KulttuRally in 2007.

- We arrange trips for example to Rovaniemi to see Santa Claus. And last summer we organised the Fusion art exhibition. And of course student parties are a great part of our actions.

So there is everything from sports to culture for students. Mikko tells that Club KulttuRally’s trips are very popular among exchange students. Journey can take students even to Russia.

Parties for everyone

In student life parties are very important counter balance to hard studying. Club KulttuRally arranges SaunaNights at least once a month and bigger student parties less frequently. A sauna night is a classic party among Finns. In a sauna night people gather for example in someone’s home and go to sauna together – men and women separately, of course. Between taking a sauna bath they can play some games and have a good time. Parties aggregate people from different study fields and programmes together, so they are great places to meet new people.

- On SaunaNights there are always lots of exchange students. In bigger events like in Preludi, the opening party of the academic year, there can be even 1200 – 1300 partygoers, Mikko notifies.

Mikko says that no matter how big or small the event is there have never been any problems.

- I do not remember that there would be any brawls. In these events people may drink alcohol if they want to, but it has not caused any problems, he says. In student parties people just want to have fun.

Club KulttuRally arranges May Day party every year, which is a huge event. Partying goes on from the early morning to late in the evening.

Volunteers are the force

Club KulttuRally’s events are open to all. In Finland for example May Day is a very popular festival among students. These big events demand lots of organisers. Club KulttuRally runs by force of volunteers.

- This year exchange students have also been very active. People can affect what kinds of events we arrange if they take part in planning. This way they get events that they want, Mikko says. He tells that students can also send email if they have ideas for events.

Mikko says that even though he is arranging parties, an organiser can also have fun.

- It is so nice to see that people enjoy a party that we have organised. Last May Day was great. Everything succeeded and everyone seemed to have fun. We had a very active group that made it possible Mikko remembers.

Mikko says that if he was granted unlimited resources, he would arrange a huge beach party in the middle of the winter inside Club Teatria. We are waiting for that.

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Attic - Nightlife in Oulu