Buil­ding Bonds: The Rise of Game Nights at Inter­na­tio­nal House Oulu 

Inter­na­tio­nal House Oulu has been buil­ding its pre­sence almost for a year now. One cor­ners­to­ne of IH Oulu’s acti­vi­ties has been offe­ring a plat­form for various events.  

The Game Night Event, which has att­rac­ted the inter­na­tio­nal crowd in Oulu, has been orga­nized month­ly for a whi­le now. It has tru­ly gai­ned its spot as a place to meet new people, build your networks and have some fun whi­le playing the most popu­lar board games. This time it was orga­nized on Wed­nes­day, 13th of March.  

– The concept of Board Game Night was com­po­sed by our team at Inter­na­tio­nal House Oulu. We wan­ted to crea­te an event that com­bi­nes enjo­y­able fun, networ­king, and infor­ma­tion about some impor­tant topics, the coor­di­na­tor Riku­pek­ka Lei­no­nen from Inter­na­tio­nal House Oulu was tel­ling whi­le loo­king back to last autumn, when the first gaming event took place. 

Usual­ly, this event brings toget­her around 40 people. It is free of char­ge for eve­ry­one who is inte­res­ted in board games and wil­ling to make new friends and networks. Regi­stra­tion to par­tici­pa­te is nee­ded due to cof­fee and snacks being pro­vi­ded. 

– We hope the board game nights will always reach more and more new indi­vi­duals, making it pos­sible to meet new people eve­ry time. Thin­king ahead to the upco­ming game nights, Riku­pek­ka high­lights about the chance to meet an expert in your field, which can be bene­ficial in the futu­re when loo­king for work.  

The Game Nights con­nect the fun, know­led­ge and sup­port 

The Game Nights are orga­nized in coo­pe­ra­tion with a non-pro­fit associa­tion, Bloom ry. Their focus is to ope­ra­te as a brid­ge between inter­na­tio­nal resi­dents and locals. Since the begin­ning of this year, the events have star­ted with having small snacks and a short info. 

– Besi­des playing games and networ­king, par­tici­pants have the oppor­tu­ni­ty to learn somet­hing that can advance their growth furt­her, desc­ri­bes Ladis­lav Sedlák, Blooms’ Head of Ope­ra­tions in Oulu. 

– For example, once we had an int­ro­duc­tion to the city’s immi­grant council and at the latest event, we gave the floor to Vuol­le Ystä­vyys­kes­kus to int­ro­duce and talk about their ser­vices offe­red to inter­na­tio­nal people living in Oulu, Riku­pek­ka is adding. 

Ladis­lav also gives anot­her point of view about the Board Game Nights. He feels that the grea­test value at the­se events is pro­vi­ding a safe envi­ron­ment and friends­hip among people who unders­tands the complex periods of time an immi­grant must go through when inte­gra­ting into a new home. 

– It is complica­ted to achie­ve inte­gra­tion wit­hout some help or advice from locals or other immi­grants. Inter­na­tio­nal House Oulu does an inva­luable ser­vice in the­se mat­ters. 

– Clo­se your eyes and try to ima­gi­ne that all the­se inter­na­tio­nals have left eve­ryt­hing they knew and loved, lost the social sta­tus they had been buil­ding, and moved to an unk­nown count­ry. Some, wit­hout fami­ly and friends. Alo­ne, cha­sing their dream. From my point of view, it is some kind of bra­ve­ry, Ladis­lav sha­res his thoughts. 

And whi­le the­se inter­na­tio­nals are buil­ding paths towards their dreams, Inter­na­tio­nal House Oulu is offe­ring sup­port along the way.