Finland

From the urban center of Helsinki, to the quiet natural beauty of Finland’s national parks, travel with us to this amazing Scandinavian country and discover the cultural, historical, and social influences that contribute to the Finns being ranked as the happiest people in the world. In collaboration with our partner institution, Laurea University, we will explore the delivery of interprofessional health care in a global context. We will also compare and contrast the helping professions in Finland and the United States. Balancing between individual and group experiences, lessons and workshops, we will engage in purposeful dialogue about cultural and organizational differences. 

Program Details

Program Dates

This program will run in Summer A from May 18 through June 2, 2026.

Program Itinerary

Below is the proposed itinerary for 2026. Please note that this itinerary is subject to change and a final program itinerary will be provided to participants before our departure at the pre-trip meetings.

Week 1: 

  • Meeting Laurea students and faculty and exploring the Laurea Campus

  • A day visiting Porvoo; a beautiful medieval town with stunning architecture and artisan shops 

  • A visit to the Helsinki Museum and learning about the history of Finland and the Finnish people 

  • Exploring Helsinki’s vibrant Market Square 

  • A ferry trip to the Suomenlinna Sea Fortress and picnic 

  • Hands-on fun at the Heureka Finnish Science Centre

  • City center exploration in Helsinki, including a trip to the Oodi Library and learning about the Finnish Parliament 

 

Week 2: 

  • Day visit to Lake Kuusijärvi for cool plunges, hot saunas, and cookout 

  • Exchange lectures comparing the Finnish and US welfare systems 

  • Art encounter experience at Laurea 

  • Sustainability dialogues between Laurea and Nazareth students with accompanying field trips 

  • Field visits to explore services delivery sites for a variety of health and human service organizations. Examples include: Expert by Experience project sites, Drug/Alcohol Peer Recovery Center, Children’s Hospital. Shelter for People Escaping Violence, Ukrainian Support Center / Refugee Services and Climate/Environmental Advocacy Center.

  • Outdoor time at Nuuksio National Park & Haltia Nature Center with time for hiking and forest bathing.

Accommodations

Students will stay in small apartments in a suburb of Helsinki for the entirety of the program.

Program Costs & Funding

Program Fee: $3,650 before funding

Funding Sources:

For SPARK eligible students, you will receive the $1,500 SPARK Grant from the Center for Life's Work. Your final out-of-pocket cost will be $2,150.

For non-SPARK eligible undergraduate students and graduate students, you will receive $400 in funding from the Center for International Education. Your final out-of-pocket cost will be $3,250.

Program Fee Includes:

  • Round trip airfare
  • All accommodations
  • All activities, entry fees, tours, etc. listed in the itinerary
  • All in-country transportation
  • All meals part of the itinerary
  • Transportation to and from the Rochester airport
  • International travel and medical insurance

Not Included:

  • Passport (must be valid at least 6 months past the return date of the program). 
  • Additional meals (meals not in the itinerary)
  • Miscellaneous expenses (such as souvenirs, personal care items, etc.)
Vaccination Guidance

Visit the following sites to see the recommended immunizations and medications for your program. Talk with your family and your physician to understand which ones you may need to travel. 

CDC 

Passport Health

U.S. Department of State

Payment Timeline
Payment #1: $700 due December 8th, refundable up until 2nd payment
 
Payment #2: $800 due January 30th
 
Payment #3:
 
$650 due February 27th for SPARK students- final payment
 
$850 due February 27th for non-SPARK and Grad students. 
 
Payment #4:
 
$900 due March 27th for non-SPARK and Grad students- final payment.

Views from Abroad

    At A Glance

    Term: Summer A 2026

    Program Level: Undergraduate and Graduate Students

    Program Types: Experiential Learning

    Major(s): Open to all students, but may be of particular interest to the following majors:

    • Nursing
    • Public Health
    • Social Work

    Language Requirement: None

    Minimum GPA Requirement: 2.5