Integration Support and Services

Arcada develops services for those who want to integrate with Swedish as their first language. Arcada's SIMHE status gives us the opportunity to support you along the way. The services will be developed during the years 2021 - 2024. Initially we offer guidance and counselling services for identifying appropriate educational and career paths.
As of 2021, Arcada has the status of SIMHE institution. SIMHE stands for Supporting Immigrants in Higher Education. This means that we are tasked with developing guidance and services that support the integration of immigrants with preconditions for higher education. The services will include guidance and counselling for identifying appropriate educational and career paths as well as language studies, validation and supplementation of competence. Arcada has a special responsibility for developing services for those who want to integrate with Swedish as their first language.
As of 2021 we offer guidance and counselling for identifying appropriate educational and career paths at Karriärcenter Arabia, online or on campus in the Arcada building. You can view the counsellors and book an appointment here External link. All services are free of charge.
The support for integration in Swedish is important not only for Arcada but for the whole of Finnish society.
Other higher education institutions with SIMHE services External linkfor those who wish to integrate with Finnish as their first language.
Talent Boost
SIMHE is part of the national Talent Boost programme. Talent Boost is a cross-administrative programme designed to boost the immigration and integration of senior specialists, employees, students and researchers. Among the measures taken are e.g. speeding up the residence permit application process, advancing the employment of international students, promote Swedish and Finnish language learning and increasing receptiveness and diversity in the workplace, developing support for spouses and providing mentorship programmes.
Arcada’s Talent Boost service promise (to the Ministry of Education and Culture) 2021–2024 consists of measures for supporting the integration of students and researchers in the Finnish society and the Finnish labour market.