Friend Program

Have you recently moved to the Helsinki capital region from abroad? Would you like to make new friends or find people to spend your free time with? Our Friend Program is here to help you get started!

The Friend Program by International House Helsinki offers international newcomers an opportunity to start making friends who live in the Helsinki area. This programme is implemented by International House Helsinki in collaboration with non-profit organisations.

You’ll have the chance to make friends by joining our activities! You can read more and sign up for the different activities below.

Join activities with bigger groups: Helsinki Friends community

Helsinki Friends is dedicated to fostering a vibrant and inclusive community in Helsinki. The aim is to connect individuals through shared experiences, support, and collaboration, creating a welcoming environment for everyone. Helsinki Friends provides meaningful ways to meet new friends, learn new things, and give back to the community.

What is it about?

When you join the Helsinki Friends community, you can look forward to a variety of fun and engaging activities designed to help you connect with others and enjoy things the city has to offer. The community organises lively social events, cultural exchanges, workshops, and volunteer opportunities.

Whether you’re a longtime resident or just starting your journey in the Helsinki area, you’ll find a friendly place in the Helsinki Friends Community.

Helsinki Friends envisions a city where all residents feel valued and engaged, with strong community ties that enhance the quality of life for everyone. The goal is to empower individuals and groups to thrive together, celebrating the diversity and richness of the city.

How to join

You can find the activities on the Helsinki Friends’s website and sign up to the ones that you are interested in. You can take part in as many events as you like, but remember to sign up early, as the events may fill up quickly.

See upcoming events organised by Helsinki Friends on our Events page here

Connect with a small group: CIRKELN by Luckan Integration

Do you want to expand your social network and find people to do fun activities with? Then join CIRKELN!

What is it about?

CIRKELN is a social networking programme that is intended to encourage two way integration. Newcomers and Finns, or people who have found a home in the Finnish culture, get to meet and do activities together.

Participants are placed into a group with several other like-minded individuals. Together as a group they can then decide what they’d like to do, where to meet and when.

The CIRKELN groups have enjoyed all sorts of activities from hiking in nature to exploring the capital, from watching films and music concerts to visiting museums, practising languages or chilling in a cafe and having a good chat. The options are endless!

All the groups will also be exclusively invited to a Cirkeln Mingle where they have the opportunity to meet participants from the other groups.

How to join

Sign up using the link below. Remember to describe your interests so the CIRKELN coordinator can match you into a suitable small group. CIRKELN is here to help you make that first connection.

Read more about the Cirkeln here!