Emporia State students benefited from hands-on experience by visiting one of the world’s most respected education systems in Finland. This spring, 13 education students and three faculty members from The Teachers College at Emporia State University traveled on an education-intensive journey to Finland that included visits to elementary and secondary schools in Vantaa and Espoo in the Helsinki area.
“Traveling with students and fellow faculty members to Finland, Estonia and Sweden was an incredible opportunity to learn beyond our own classrooms,” said Meghan Shave, Elementary Education, Early Childhood and Special Education instructor. “Our school visits helped us better understand different educational systems while reflecting on the teaching and learning practices we value here at home.”
The trip provided valuable opportunities for professional growth, collaboration and reflection while offering insight into how Finnish educational practices might inform and enhance the teaching of participating students. Key areas of focus included literacy and math education.
“Education in Finland is considered one of the premier systems of education,” said Sara Schwerdtfeger, dean of The Teachers College. “Learning and observing in elementary and secondary schools enhanced our understanding of education around the world.”
The group, which left April 25 and returned May 9, discovered local culture through guided tours of the Oodi Central Library, Suomenlinna Fortress, the Helsinki Natural History Museum, Temppeliaukio Church, Aalto Design Factory and Ateneum Art Museum.
Additionally, a day trip to Tallinn, Estonia and Stockholm, Sweden rounded out the program with an exploration of the broader region.