My first experience of Finnish culture was a trip to the sauna at the Sokos Vaakuna Hotel in Seinäjoki which was a great demonstration of personal bravery with all things nature.
My week then quickly accelerated through a fun packed and informative programme made by Tiina Jokela-Lyly and her team at Sedu and YES-Keskus. I visited Sedu Kauhajoki, Ilmajoki Pappilantie, Seinäjoki Kirkkokatu and Törnäväntie and one day at Seinäjoen Lyseo.
At each institution I was able to see the excellent work of students and staff alike. I was impressed with the welcoming atmosphere and the focus that students and staff have to their shared aims of excellence and passion for education, vocational studies and enterprise. I was also impressed by the hard work of the counsellors and special educational needs teachers, a very valuable role in any institution.
I have noticed that there is a greater focus in the Finn system on the ethos of creating 'live' vocational activities for students. This style of education is now becoming more and more valued within the English system and my school, Manchester Academy is very strong in this area however, as all educators know and feel, there is always much more to be pushed, developed and polished. Everyday is a school day!
The Finnish love of knowledge and personal development is also humbling to witness. Every person that I met was not only developing their professional knowledge and 'staying current' but also had many hobbies, from technical swimming to weaving and dog agility training. Where do you find the energy? (I think it may be in the berries!)
I was also very lucky to experience cross-country skiing, ice hole swimming and ballroom dancing for the first time. I would now like to ask if the Seinäjoki podiatry community would like to transfer my percentage for all of the crushed toe treatments they will be delivering after my attempts to be less like an elephant and more like a swan! I did laugh all night though and as they say, "laughter is the best medicine of all"!
At Manchester Academy my main subjects are Textiles, Food Technology and Hospitality. The closest comparison to food technology is home economics (with a stronger emphasis on product design) and hospitality is a vocational course similar to kokki and tarjoilija. I was particularly pleased to see such a strong evidence of Textile traditions such as felting, dyeing and weaving still being taught and enjoyed today by both the young and wiser, more mature collective! My degree studies were in Textile Crafts such as these, so I instantly felt at home in Finland. Kiitos!
The Future
I always relish any opportunity to work creatively and have been able to discuss many ideas for future projects with the staff I have met. In the summer term I will be asking my textile students at Manchester Academy to develop inspiration boards that demonstrate the cultures that they feel connected to. This will be an interesting task as our students originate from over 40 nations across the world so I hope that the work created will demonstrate a global community. The design boards will then be sent to Jaana and Paula at Sedu Ilmajoki, Pappilantie for their students to work from and further develop designs and products - perhaps for sale soon in their fantastic craft shop?!
Another project I have discussed is to be completed by my food and hospitality students. This will again focus on a cultural exchange with students writing and recording their favourite recipes to be sent to Marjo and Hanna at Sedu Kauhajoki, Soile and Kaija at Seinäjoen Lyseo and Mya at Sedu Kirkkokatu. Recipes will be written in English and so can be used by students in their English cooking lessons. I have already been given a recipe for one of my favourites here, voisilmäpulla. Luckily I have also enjoyed the fresh and flavoursome salads so my clothing is not needing too much adjustment... yet!
My colleague, Ms. Delfino is already in the process of developing another exchange programme with Lyseo and I too would like to develop an exchange programme for students at Kauhajoki. A starting point that we have discussed was to incorporate the September food and produce market, Ruokamessut, however with such short notice this will need to be developed further, perhaps for September 2011- Hanna, I will be in touch!
In short I have been impressed, well looked after, entertained and humbled by my experiences here and I can not wait to return on a cheap Ryan Air flight in the summer! I will need more energy berries if I am to follow in your footsteps!
Thank you to all of the lovely people I have met here, including those that I have not given a personal mention to. You have not made any less of an impact on my memories of this adventure. Congratulations on being brilliant Finland! Kiitos näkemiin.
Ms Roberts
Manchester Academy