ARKKARI (ARCHITECTURE STUDENT)
An architecture student. Arkkari are a type of Teekkari.
EXCURSIO, EKSKURSIO, XQ OR KURSIO (EXCURSION)
A group trip, the purpose of which is to learn something new. During an excursion, you get to know for example a field relevant company, or the Teekkari people or culture of another city. Excursions are usually organised by a guild or club, and can be both for Fuksi, older students, or both. The length of the trips varies from a single day to a whole week, and has entertainment, accommodation and refreshments provided. More rarely, the destinations can be abroad, visiting partner guilds, companies or other relevant topics in Sweden, Estonia or countries further afield. Excursions perform a valuable link between students and companies, and between Teekkari campuses.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP SOCIETY (ES)
A community of students whose goal is to provide support for entrepreneurship, offer the opportunity to network, and in general encourage an entrepreneurial mindset. They can also include entrepreneurial professionals and other experts on the subject. This type of community can be found in almost every Teekkari city, including at least Espoo, Oulu, Turku, Tampere, Lappeenranta and Vaasa. As an example, the idea of the now hugely successful annual entrepreneurial event Slush was originally born from the cooperation of Otaniemi's Aaltoes and Startup Sauna.
FUKSI (FRESHER, FRESHMAN)
A first-year student. Depending on the Teekkari campus, the terms Fresher, Fuksi or Freshman may be used, and can also include Master’s level students who are new to a Teekkari programme. A Fuksi may become a Teekkari at the end of their first year, following a baptism or other event that takes place as part of their Fuksi Wappu.
HAALARIT (OVERALLS)
The extremely recognisable, and incredibly useful, outfit of a Teekkari. The overall culture spread to Finland from Sweden in the early 1980s, and while most students now use overalls, Teekkari students were amongst the first to adopt them. Overalls show a togetherness, and their colour indicates the field of study of the wearer. If you wish to check out what colour overall every Teekkari association uses, check out the Teekkari Cities pages.
It is common to decorate overalls with badges or patches, which can be obtained from events attended, guilds and clubs, or individual sellers. Additionally, dating partners in different guilds often exchange pant legs, and sleeves can be swapped with friends, family members, or to show studies in a different field (such as a taking a minor). Other adornments, such as hoods or additional pockets, may also be added to for example demonstrate a tutor or friend group, and braids or other items can be used to display volunteering activity. Note that it is customary to not wash your overalls - the overalls show well the story of someone’s student years!
If you want to read more about the production process of overalls, check out this article.
HERVANTA, HERWOOD
Tampere University’s Hervanta campus, where most of the university’s technology studies take place. Herwood is a nickname established due to the demands of the automation technology students.
HISTORIA (HISTORY)
The history of Teekkari culture is rich and multi-dimensional. You can familiarise yourself with it on this page, and in Otaniemi the Museum of Student Life also has dedicated content on the subject. Many guilds produce their own history books, which can be found from their guild rooms or online, and older guild members are often happy to share their historical knowledge (whether asked to or not)!
IKITEEKKARI (ETERNAL TEEKKARI)
Someone who never loses their Teekkari spirit. The term Eternal Teekkari is represented in different ways between campuses. In Lappeenranta University of Technology’s Code of Conduct, an Eternal Teekkari is a Teekkari who “has considered it necessary to qualify as a practitioner of science so deeply, that they have not had the time or remembered to graduate as an engineer”. In Aalto University, the title of Eternal Teekkari and its representative chain can be awarded to a former member of the student union, with this considered the highest title and honour grantable, usable only by one person at a time. In Turku, Tampere and Lappeenranta, there are memorials to the Eternal Teekkari. The Eternal Teekkari has many songs dedicated to them, including Ikuisen Teekkarin Laulu (“Song of the Eternal Teekkari”).
JÄMERÄPARTAINEN INSINÖÖRI (THE GRIM BEARDED ENGINEER)
A mythical figure and spirit-like being who watches over technology students and gives the Tempaus order in Otaniemi. He came into being in around 1924, when he gave his first Tempaus order. For more information, see this article.
JÄYNÄ (PRACTICAL JOKE)
A Jäynä is a harmless practical joke, made with a sense of humour, and often featuring technology. It has the purpose of amusing not only its creator, but also the target audience and the general public. The joke must not cause negative feelings or material damage, and is no longer allowed to be directed at the authorities. Teekkari communities organise local Jäynä competitions, and the National Teekkari Jäynä Competition is organised by joint Teekkari cooperation work, with the support of TEK.
One of the most famous Jäynä took place in 1961, when Teekkari students placed a miniature statue of the athlete Paavo Nurmi on the deck of the Vasa ship in Stockholm, which was due to be lifted up from the sea floor. The statue was seen upon the raising of the ship, causing a media sensation. For more information see here, or visit your own area’s association’s webpages.
JYVÄSKYLÄ
From Autumn 2021, the University of Jyväskylä began to also have Teekkari students. Their place as Teekkari was settled in Wappu 2022, when their new Teekkari cap was worn for the first time.
KASTE (BAPTISM, DIPPING)
The ceremony in which a Fuksi becomes a full-fledged Teekkari, able to wear their tasselled Teekkari Cap. The baptism or dipping traditions vary between cities, but the ceremonies always take place at the end of the first year of study. In Otaniemi, generally the Fuksi Captains, or International Officers, are dipped, with the Fuksi taking an active role in the process, but no strict baptism takes place of Fuksi, captain, or officer.
KERHO (CLUB)
Teekkari culture has hundreds of different clubs, organisations and associations. They usually focus on a specific hobby, professional subject, or other interest. The clubs are wide-ranging, and could for example include those interested in movies, orienteering, choir singing, debating, or playing role-playing games. Teekkari students are particularly active in club culture, although in mixed campuses most are open to all students.
KILTA (GUILD)
A student association of a degree program or department. Guilds play a wide range of roles in student life, including uniting students of the same field, organising a range of events from Sitsit parties to sporting trips and company excursions, and performing vital student advocacy work. Each guild has its own colour of overalls, and most have their own guild room, which acts as a study space, community zone, and place to drink tea or coffee for all guild members. Check out the Teekkari guilds in each city on the Teekkari Cities pages.
KYYKKÄ (FINNISH SKITTLES)
Kyykkä is a centuries old game, originally founded in Karelia, which is now considered by many to be the national game of Teekkari students and people. Academic Kyykkä started in 1966, with the sport’s World Championships held annually in Tampere. In Kyykkä, a large bat is thrown at smaller cylinders of wood, intending to remove them from the playing field with as few throws as possible. Kyykkä can be played alone, with a friend, or as a team of four. Read more here.
LAHTI
LUT-University has a campus in Lahti, where there are now also Teekkari students. The first ever Teekkari guild in Lahti, named AETHER, was established in 2022 for all students on the campus’s international bachelor programmes. Traditions based off of those in Lappeenranta quickly began, with alterations due to the differences between the cities, the international student pool in Lahti, and the working language of English that is as a result of this. In Lahti, there are several full-time degree programmes, as well as those intended for people already in working life.
LAKKI (TEEKKARI CAP)
The tasselled cap has been the symbol of Teekkari people for over 120 years, with the modern look originally designed in 1893. It is similar in appearance to the Finnish high school graduation cap, with the addition of the tassel, as well as other smaller modifications. Depending on the university from which it was obtained, differences can also be seen between the caps, including the number of corners it possesses, the colour of the cap’s lining, and the design of the cockade on the front. The Teekkari Cap is a summer hat, and can only be worn between the start of May (Wappu) and the end of September. If one desires to wear it outside of this time period, each city has lists of exceptions for when it can be worn, or else application can be asked for from the relevant student union. Read more about the making of a Teekkari Cap here.
LAULUKULTTUURI (SONG CULTURE)
Singing is an important part of almost any Teekkari event. The singing culture has been heavily influenced by both Swedish drinking songs (snapsilaulu or snapsvisa) and German student culture, as well as a range of other countries and cultures, with many modern songs based on popular hits. Singing is a way to have fun, with the common saying “a Teekkari sings rather than well” showcasing how it doesn’t matter how well you sing, only that you do. The most traditional song of Teekkari culture is the Teekkarihymni (Teekkari Hymn), which is sung with devotion at midnight. Many guilds have their own songbook, and the song culture grows and develops year on year. For more information, read the Song Culture page.
LINNANMAA
The location of the Faculty of Technology at the University of Oulu.
NAUHAT (RIBBONS)
Ribbons are a key part of a Teekkari person’s outfit at annual balls or certain Sitsit parties. The purpose of the ribbon is to tell which group or party the wearer represents, for example what student union or student club they belong to. The ribbons of different associations vary in size and colour, as do the rules about when and how they can be worn. More information can be found on the relevant associations’ website, with basic information on the Teekkari Cities pages.
OTANIEMI
The main campus of Aalto University, and the location of all technology education there.
PALOSAARI
The location of the Faculty of Technology at the University of Vaasa.
PORI
Tampere University also has a campus in Pori, in which Teekkari students can be found. In Pori are taught Master’s level degrees of technology aimed to be easily combined with working life, with Management and Information Technology as the sole Teekkari programme.
RETUPERÄN WBK, RWBK (THE RETUPERÄ VOLUNTARY FIRE BRIGADE BAND)
Based in Otaniemi and founded in 1933, RWBK takes an active role in performing at various concerts and events both inside and outside of Otaniemi. They dub themselves the world’s best newer-French-horn-music-playing technology student orchestra, and see it as their role to cause disapproval amongst the serious-minded. For more information, see here.
SALASEURA (SECRET SOCIETY)
Secret Societies are a prevalent part of Teekkari culture. Someone cannot choose to join a secret society, they are instead invited to become a member, with the number recruited yearly depending on the society. Many secret societies even have a purpose, for example publishing Wappu magazines, holding parties and events, or being seen by their distinct clothing. They have however also been the subject of criticism in recent years, with accusations of discrimination against women, and of sticking too closely to unequal traditions. This too is something now improving year on year.
SAUNOMINEN (SAUNAING)
Like in Finland as a whole, Teekkari students are fond of a sauna, even taking part in building them on occasion. A sauna is a part of many parties and activities, and sauna evenings are a common type of event organised by guilds, clubs and other student organisations. It should be noted however, that it is always an individual’s choice on whether they attend the sauna at these parties, and what state of dress they use inside of them. There have been several special Teekkari projects involving saunas throughout the decades, such as the Teekkarisauna in Tampere, the trailer sauna in Vaasa, the record for most time spent in a mobile sauna in Lappeenranta, and the Vapaateekkarit built sauna of over 300 square metres in Otaniemi.
SILLIS (Herring Breakfast)
The so-called “Herring Breakfast” is enjoyed the morning after certain large parties, such as guild annual balls or other major events. A Sillis generally features refreshments, sauna, and comfortable places to lie down whilst recovering from the night before. Fortunately, herring is not a mandatory part of the festivities.
SITSIT (ACADEMIC TABLE PARTY, SITZ)
Possibly the most common type of party held by Teekkari people, a Sitsit or Sitz, is an “academic table party” that is more casual than an annual ball. While Sitsit parties are now a core part of Teekkari culture, their origins and original traditions come from Sweden. These traditions have changed over time, and vary greatly not just between different Teekkari cities, but even amongst guilds in the same city. Sitsit parties often have a theme or dress code, and feature food and drink, singing, and spending time together with new and old friends. They generally have Song Leaders, Toastmasters or Masters of Ceremony, who guide the party along, give amusing speeches, and keep the songs flowing throughout the night. A Sitsit usually features a song booklet, from which anyone can request a song to be sung, although there are a few songs that are reserved for either the start or end of the party, or for other special reasons. While a Sitsit might sound daunting to a newcomer, the most important thing is to have fun!
SKINNARILA
The location of the main LUT University campus in Lappeenranta.
SPEKSI (SPEX, SPECTACLE)
A student-run theatre performance originating from Sweden, which combines improvisation, music, dance, and comedy. A key aspect of a Speksi is the role of the audience, who at any point can shout “Omstart!” (“Reboot!” in Swedish) and a command, following which the actors perform the previous scene, or continue onwards, following that command. Examples would be “Omstart in Swedish”, “Omstart, scene is happening in space” or “Omstart, background music is jazz.” Speksi can also be performed on a smaller scale, such as by Fuksi groups or by the board of a guild as a bonding exercise, and are also popular amongst many other fields of science, and not just Teekkari students. For an example of a Speksi and more general information, check out Teekkarispeksi from Otaniemi.
TEEKKARI (TECHNOLOGY STUDENT)
A Teekkari is the name for someone studying technology or architecture at university. To become a Teekkari, someone must study in the field for at least a year, and after graduation a Teekkari becomes either an academic engineer or an architect.
TEKNIIKAN AKATEEMISET TEK (ACADEMIC ENGINEERS AND ARCHITECTS IN FINLAND, TEK)
TEK is the trade union for those studying at, or graduated from, a university degree in technology or architecture, as well as related scientific fields such as computer science and maths. TEK provides its members with a range of benefits and services, and supports them in their working and studying life. Membership is free as a student, and TEK takes an active role on every Teekkari campus and in the Kumpula campus of University of Helsinki, providing sponsorships, trainings and general support. TEK Lounges, which are free spaces for all students, can also be found in Tampere, Lappeenranta and Turku.
TEK TYÖKIRJA (TEK WORKBOOK)
TEK’s Workbook is a job searching and career guide for students and those in the early stages of their career. Content includes for example how to apply for a job, interview tips, and the basics of career planning. The whole book can be found online at tek.fi/workbook, or otherwise older copies can be found in physical copies across campuses and in guild rooms.
TEMPAUS (“ADVENTURE”)
A difficult to translate concept, in general a Tempaus is a Teekkari notion, that should arouse the interest of the general public to a certain issue or problem in society. They may also be used to collect money for a certain purpose or goal, and have been described by Tiina Metso of the Museum of Student Life as a “joyous outburst of mass power”. Past Tempaus have included for example Tempaus2016, which involved students from different fields travelling to basic education schools to inspire the joy of learning.
VEMPAIMET (GADGETRY)
Teekkari people are fond of the act of creation. In the past, a variety of different gadgets and inventions have been created, which often make loud noises, can move in ingenious ways, or act to otherwise fascinate bystanders. More examples of gadgets created can be found here (currently only in Finnish).
VUOSIJUHLAT, VUJU (ANNUAL BALL)
An annual ball is the finest and fanciest of all celebrations that Teekkari students take part in. They are mainly organised by guilds, student unions or student associations, and can range greatly in size depending on the organisation, and the significance of the year being turned. The dress code is generally white tie, meaning a tailcoat, dark suit or full-length evening dress must be worn, but some associations are less strict than this. Academic honours, such as pins and necklaces, are also worn at annual balls, as are ribbons (see Nauhat). The party usually features a cocktail party, a main party including a dinner and singing, an after party, and the next day Herring Breakfast (see Sillis). The main event features speeches and the presentation of awards, while at the cocktail party guests have a chance to give a gift to the hosting association. Remember, that while a certain level of etiquette is required, the aim of the party is still to have a fun time, so long as some decorum is maintained!
WAPPU
The May Day worker’s celebration in Finland is called Vappu and happens on 1st May. To Teekkari people however, it is spelt as Wappu. Wappu is both the highlight, and typically the ending point, of an academic year and is the moment Fuksi become Teekkari. Wappu traditions vary between Teekkari campuses, but the most-well known events include the washing and capping of notable statues, the baptism of Fuksi, and Wappu Day picnics. Events of every kind can be found in the weeks leading up to Wappu day, organised by guilds, student associations, and student unions. Another Wappu tradition is the publishing of Wappu magazines, such as Äpy, Julkku or Tamppi, and student-run Wappu radios take place in almost every Teekkari region, with six different radios running as of 2023. Together the magazines and radios work to spread Wappu joy, and to keep festivity levels high.
YHTEISTYÖ (COOPERATION WORK)
A long time ago, it was noticed by Teekkari people that there is strength in cooperation. Working together, and the collective group spirit, are essential features of Teekkari culture.
YLIOPISTONMÄKI
The location of the main campus of the University of Turku.
YLIOPPILASKUNTA (STUDENT UNION)
Every university in Finland has its own student union, whose purpose is to unite its members and to monitor their interests and wellbeing. Student union representatives are involved in the institutions of the university itself, ensuring that decisions regarding students cannot be made without hearing the opinion of students on the matter. In addition to this, student unions provide a range of benefits to their members, such as rentable spaces for events, communication channels, student discount agreements, a range of events, and taking care of student healthcare alongside YTHS. Student unions of technical universities also nurture and support Teekkari culture, and provide guidance and sponsorship to the activities of their member organisations, guilds and clubs.
If you notice something is missing, please let us know! Contact your local student liaison.