Become a Nightingale mentor and improve your skills- apply by April 6th

a smiling child with a blue sky as background
Bulletin 26.3.2026

 

The mentorship program is bilingual, meaning you can apply to become a Swedish- or Finnish- speaking mentor. The mentor is required to have sufficient language proficiency in Swedish or Finnish to complete the mentorship in its entirety in that language (your own assessment is enough). PLease note that only students from University of Helsinki can apply to become Finnish-speaking mentors, while students from University of Helsinki, Aalto University, Hanken School of Economics, Arcada or Uniarts Helsinki can apply to become Swedish-speaking mentors. 

 

As mentor, you will receive: 

  • five credits 

  • 400 € reward 

  • a work certificate from the university 

  • training and supervision throughout the mentorship 

  • an opportunity to strengthen your leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills. 

 

What does the mentorship entail? 

Within the mentorship, you will become a mentor for a 9–12-year-old child living in Helsinki. You will meet with them once a week from October to May. You will together with your mentee plan the activities for your meet-up depending on your shared interests, such as visiting libraries, going on a nature-walk, playing sports or baking together. The Nightingale program also hosts different joint events for all mentoring pairs. The mentor pairs for 2025-2026 have, for instance, visited museums, gone to the theater, and participated in a hockey game. 

 

The goals of the mentorship 

  • The children will have an opportunity to strengthen their self-esteem and gain a connection to higher institutions, through their student mentor 

  • Mentors will have the opportunity to get to know Helsinki through the eyes of a child. You will also have the opportunity to develop your skills in leadership, communication, and cultural sensitivity. 

  • With the program, the University of Helsinki strives to broaden youth's interest in higher education and assist youth from all walks of life to feel encouraged to apply to a higher education institute.  

 

 

 

How to apply: 

Fill in the application form and press send! The application is open from March 19th to April 6th, 2026.  

Please note that only students from the University of Helsinki can apply to become a Finnish-mentor! 

 

For more information: