FAQ

What is included in the congress registration fee?

The congress fee covers immersion day, all workshops as well as accommodation, breakfast, lunches and coffee breaks, conference materials and proceedings.

Are there any discounts or grants for participation and travel costs?

The organizing committee has tried to bring the prices down as much as possible and cannot provide special reductions.   
Each year, we also try to offer a few free places to those young people who would otherwise be unable to participate at the congress. In order to apply for a congress participation or travel grant, please contact congress@youngsietar.org  

Can I pay when arriving at the congress? 

Unfortunately this isn't possible as we rely on congress fee for the preparation of the congress.

Anything I shouldn't forget to bring along?

Please bring along, sunglasses, sun block as well as waterproof shoes and waterproof jacket/umbrella. We are hoping for a good weather, but you can never be sure of the Finnish summer.  Please bring also a swimming suite and extra towel if you want to go to sauna. We warmly recommend that! 

In case you will be travelling in the nature before or after the event, don’t forget to get mosquito repellents. You can also buy these when arrived in Finland. There are also anti-mosquito products in the supermarkets. Well known trade mark in Finland is "OFF!". There are sprays and lotions for skin and smokes/candles if you sit outside.

What sort of accommodation is included in the congress fee?

Your accommodation is included in the congress fee and arranged for 2 two nights, Wednesday night and Thursday night.  

The rooms we have reserved for the congress have various sizes: 2 x 4 beds, 3 x 6 beds and 1 x 10 beds with shared bath rooms. We will fill the rooms according to the number of participants at the congress. You can check the website of the hostel here: http://www.dreamhostel.fi/en/home/  

Tea and coffee is available free of charge as well as Wi-Fi and the bed linen.

Is there the possibility of ‘upgrading’ my sleeping accommodation?

There might be a possibility of upgrading you to a single room. If you specifically request a single room, please write to congress@youngsietar.org.  , after you have registered. Single rooms will be arranged on a 'first-come-first-served' basis – only a very limited number of rooms may be available. The upgrade to a single room will add a surcharge to your congress fee.

Is there wifi at the hostel?

Yes. There is free wifi access.

Do I need to bring a towel?

Yes, if you want to go the sauna, please bring an extra towel. 

At the hostel there is one towel provided. You can rent extra towels for 2 € / towel.  

The sauna is not in the hostel, so you shouldn’t take the hostel towels with you there. 

Can I prolong my stay in Tampere?

Of course you can – but we’re asking you to arrange your extra stay yourself.

What is the Finnish currency?

EUR

What should I wear?

You can stay casual for the seminar, but take into account the weather forecast for outdoor clothing. It’s the best to check the weather forecast shortly before the trip. 

What electricity current is used in Finland?

Electrical voltage in Finland is the same as EU standard .
Participants from North America, Great Britain and Ireland will need an adaptor.

How can I make the most of experiencing Finnish culture?

Go to a sauna and go for a swim in the lake. Among family and friends you normally go naked to the sauna (women and men separately), but in public/party/international settings where everyone goes to sauna together it is normal to wear swimming suite. In mixed public saunas this is actually expected, especially if the sauna is located by a public beach. Naked sunbathing is not typical at public beaches in Finland.

Can I drink the tap water?

Yes. In fact, you must! Tap water is very good quality.

My English is not very good but I am very interested in attending the congress. Is there a high level of English needed to follow the lectures and the workshops?

First of all, we wouldn't like that to be a barrier for you, so we would say no. English is the main language there, but you'll soon realize that you aren't the only one whose English isn't as good as an Englishman’s. All workshops are in English, but often there is someone willing to translate something you don't understand, and speakers are always trying not to use a too specific vocabulary. Just give it a try! Most of the presenters are familiar with the broad spectrum of competence in English, so this should not be a problem at all.

What is the refund policy?

In case you should need to cancel your participation:
* Till End of May the cancellation fee is 150 €
* Starting from June 1st the non-refundable are the costs of congress

In case the congress should be cancelled the participant will be refunded in full.