For a small country, there is a lot to see!

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Since I arrived in Finland in January I have been able to meet with some of the most incredible and innovative people.  When I first met with my advisor she asked me what my goals were and I said to meet with everyone and go everywhere.  Although I didn't quite make it everywhere, the amount of time I got to spend in schools and in conversations exceeded my expectations.  It is through the stories of the people that I got to know, that I truly got to understand why Finland is so successful in educational arenas, but also how amazing this country is!  I am sure that I am forgetting some schools on this list, but I wanted to give a public THANK YOU for letting me spend time in your schools!

I have been able to visit schools in Ivalo and Inari in the northern Lapland, sleep in a snow castle in Kemi, attend the Skills Finland event in Joensuu, hang out in the east side of Helsinki and talk about being a foreigner in Finland and vacation in the islands around Turku during my 7 months here.  The lessons that I have learned would fill books and books trying to write it all down and tell the stories of my adventures and the stories of the people I have met.  My best summary is that I feel like one lucky girl!

I first have to give a big THANK YOU to the Finnish Institute of Educational Research at the University of Jyväskylä for hosting me this semester.  I am very grateful for all the help of Marja-Leena Stenström who was a fantastic advisor during this semester!

Schools I Spent Time Visiting

Jyväskylä & Surrounding Area

Lukios
Cygnaeus Lukio
Jyväskylan Normaalikoulun Lukio
Jyväskylän Lyseo Lukio
Jyväskylän Lyseo Lukio- IB Program
Seppän Lukio
Muurramen Lukio
Laukkaan Lukio 
Petäjäveden Lukio

Vocational Schools 
(the list below is of each vocational qualification I visited personally, look here for a complete list of vocational qualifications offered in the Jyväskylä area)
College of Welfare and Culture
Vocational Qualifications in:
  • Social and Health Care
  • Beauty Care
  • Hairdressing
  • Clothing
  • Crafts and Design
  • Visual Expression

College of Business and Services
Vocational Qualifications in:
  • Hotel and Restaurant Services
  • Tourism
  • Food Production
  • Business and Administration
  • Information and Communications Technology
  • Entrepreneurship 

College of Technology and Logistics
Vocational Qualifications in:
  • Electrical Engineering and Automation
  • Publishing and Printing
  • Logistics
  • Metalwork and Machinery
  • Woodprocessing
  • Information and Telecommunications Technology

Vocational General Studies Classes- English, Swedish
Double Diploma Class- Economics

Other Schools
Sydän-Laukaan Koulu (Grades 7-9)    
Jyväskylän normaalikoulu, vuosiluokat 1-6 (Basic School grades 1-6)    
Vaajakummun Koulu (Grades 5-9)
Jokelan Koulu (Primary School)
Career Start Classes- Jyväskylä College
Grade 10 (Flexible Learning) Classes- Jyväskylä College

Helsinki

Lukios
Itäkeskuksen Lukio- Language speciality

Vocational Schools
Stadin ammattiopisto- Helsinki Vocational College
Vocational Qualifications in:
  • Graphic Design
  • Printing and Pre-printing
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Automation
  • Safety and Security
  • Construction

Lapland- Inari and Ivalo

Lukios
Ivalon Lukio

Vocational Schools
Sámi Educational Institute- Traditional Handicraft 
Sámi Educational Institute- Reindeer Husbandry 

Other Schools
Inarin Koulu (Primary School)- Sámi language class