Integration Support and Services
Arcada has developed services for those who want to integrate with Swedish as their first language. Arcada's SIMHE status has given us the opportunity to support you along the way. The services will be developed during the years 2021 - 2025.
The support for integration in Swedish is important not only for Arcada but for the whole of Finnish society.
As of 2021, Arcada has had the status of SIMHE institution. SIMHE stands for Supporting Immigrants in Higher Education. This means that we have been tasked with developing guidance and services that support the integration of immigrants with preconditions for higher education.
Initially we have offered guidance and counselling services 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.
Until 30.6.2025, Arcada has had the opportunity to offer SIMHE guidance to suitable education and career paths through the Arcada Career Centre. This service has been funded by the Ministry of Education and Culture.
SIMHE-client Elodie Magnier
During the year that I was unemployed, the SIMHE instructor was the best thing that happened to me. After the sessions, I was always relieved and more confident.
Read more about Elodie Magner's experience with SIMHE guidance in the article Direction for the career from SIMHE guidance – A journalist and an administrative worker gained new ideas from career guidance .
Contact us
Do you want to choose Swedish as your first language of integration in Finland? Do you have questions about SIMHE services?
Other higher education institutions with SIMHE services for 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.
