General conditions

Where encounters, contemplation, and insights happen

Valamo Institute is an open folk high school operating in a unique monastic environment. It offers diverse education in various fields of life. Valamo Institute organizes approximately 150 short courses annually. In addition to the institute's own teachers, experts from various fields are responsible for the instruction.

Registration Instructions

You can register for Valamo Institute's courses via the website, phone, or email. Online registration will ask for your accommodation preference, which will be confirmed by Valamo via phone or email. Please note that we cannot always guarantee the fulfillment of your preferred option.

The registration period ends approximately two weeks before the course, but it is worth inquiring about available spots even after this. The course fee will be invoiced approximately one month before the course.

Please also read the cancellation policy further down on this page. By registering, you accept the terms.

Prices

Valamo Institute's course prices include instruction, accommodation, and breakfast, as well as meals indicated in the course program. Prices vary depending on the accommodation option. For some courses, the institute receives support from the Orthodox Church of Finland, and therefore the price of these courses is more affordable than usual. No other discounts are granted on the prices of supported courses.

Materials and supplies required for the courses are not generally included in the course price; they can be purchased from the institute or the instructor.

Accommodation

Accommodation is available in three different categories. The available room option will be confirmed during registration according to availability. Course participants are primarily accommodated in the two-story institute hotel. Both floors have a small kitchen-lounge area where guests can store and prepare their own snacks. The institute hotel has single and double rooms, each with its own toilet, shower, and kettle. The rooms have simple decor. Bed linen and towels are included in the accommodation price.

The monastery guesthouse has single, double, and triple rooms. The rooms do not have their own toilets; the toilet and shower are shared at the end of the corridor. Bed linen and towels are included in the accommodation price.

The monastery hotel offers hotel-standard accommodation. There are rooms for 1-3 people. The rooms are comfortably furnished and spacious. Rooms include a shower, toilet, and kettle.

Check-in is available from 4 PM on the first day of the course, and rooms must be vacated by 12 PM on the departure day.

Smoking is prohibited in all accommodation options. Intermediate cleaning is not provided for rooms of participants in short courses.

Meals

Meals generally take place at the Cafe-Restaurant Trapesa. Meals are available at the times indicated in the program.

Course prices include instruction, accommodation, breakfast, and meals indicated in the course program.

Please inform us of any food allergies at the time of registration.

In addition to the meals included in the course, you can purchase meals, snacks, refreshments, or coffee at daily prices from Trapesa.

Discounts

A 10 percent discount on the course fee for normally priced courses is granted to full-time students, unemployed individuals, pensioners, those on job rotation or family leave, those receiving rehabilitation support, and informal caregivers. Information entitling to the discount must be provided at the time of registration. The 10 percent discount is not granted for church-supported courses or for day visitors.

By showing your course card, you receive a small discount on some products at Tuohus, as well as half-price admission to exhibitions and the museum.

We allocate the support we receive from the Orthodox Church of Finland to those under 35 years old, who are an underrepresented group in icon painting courses, and offer them a special 40 percent discount on all icon painting courses.

If you participate in several consecutive courses, it is worth inquiring about a tailored package offer.

Discount after three courses

Once you have participated in three normally priced courses within 12 months, you will receive a 50 euro discount on the price of the next course. Each module of the Icon Line accumulates a discount equivalent to one course. Church-supported courses or courses offered at a reduced price for other reasons do not accumulate discounts.

Keep track of your participations and mention the accumulated three courses during registration. We will check the matter from the system and you will receive the discount. The benefit is valid for one year from the end date of your most recent course.

Cancellation Policy

By registering, the student agrees to comply with the following cancellation terms:

A student can cancel their registration without charge no later than two weeks before the course start date. If cancellation is made after this, a 30 percent cancellation fee will be charged from the course fee. If no cancellation is made at all, the full course fee will be charged. Cancellations should be made by email: myyntipalvelu(at)valamo.fi

If the cancellation is due to illness and occurs less than two weeks before the start of the course, the course fee may be refunded upon presentation of a medical certificate.

Unpaid course fees will be handed over to a debt collection agency.

If a course is cancelled due to reasons attributable to the institute, the course fee will be refunded or can be transferred to another course. The institute reserves the right to change the program if necessary.

Free Student Places

Note! All free student places for 2026 have been granted.

Valamo Institute grants 10 free student places annually, which can be applied for with an informal application. The application must include the following information: the course for which the free student place is being applied, who is applying for the place, contact information for the applicant, and informal reasons.

Applications should be sent by email to the Rector and will be processed together with the monastery's leadership. Each application will be considered on a case-by-case basis, and applicants will be notified of the decision.

A free student place includes participation in the course, accommodation, and meals according to the course program.

Course Opening

At the beginning of each course, there is a course opening where matters related to the course program and practical arrangements are reviewed.

Course Feedback

A course feedback form is distributed during the course; you can also provide feedback using the online form.

Other Information

Children are welcome to the monastery and the institute. During courses, children are the responsibility of their parents.

Please attend the course fragrance-free.

We reserve the right to make changes

"There are no admission requirements or high threshold for studying in Valamo. It is enough that you wish to experience a moment of Valamo's daily life and celebrations, respecting the monastery and its life. It is easy to be and learn with us, welcome!"