Arisa Otsuka April 2023 - 2024

Arisa

I decided to go abroad to see the local School when I was 22.Everything was done to leave
but I couldn’t leave Japan because of the COVID-19.After that every year I tried to come,but
it was impossible.I had waited for more than 4 years to come to Finland.In 2023,finally I
came.I spent a great time at Mutalan Koulu.It was first time to come European countries and
I was afraid if they don’t welcomed me.However I found out immediately that I didn’t need to
worry about that. Finnish people are so nice and kindly.They always helped me a lot. The
nature is so beautiful and I could enjoy great nature including the northern light.I cannot
forget the landscape of Koli.I really enjoy Finnish culture as well.While I was in Finland,I met
a lot of people and see many things.These experience change my life.Especially,the
experience at Mutalan Koulu change my life as a teacher.
I liked the atmosphere in Mutalan Koulu.Both students and teachers have the positive vibes
and they are so kind. The teachers are so skillfull and they try to motivate the students to
study.The teachers have a lot of energy to learn new things.They don’t afraid of trying new
things and they got new method from the all over the world. It was new to me to use Artificial
intelligence for the lessons.Not only the students use the AI but also the teachers use the AI
to make the worksheets. Teachers use innovative teaching and learning methods, and
materials as well as ICT and educational technology.
Finnish teachers can organize classroom activities freely and choose the teaching methods
and assessment methods.So the teachers change methods depends on the students and
the students study by the suitable ways.Moreover,Finnish teachers' relationship with the
students is equal. They aim to construct their pedagogical authority equally with the
students, rather than an authoritarian top-down way.So the teachers respect the student’s
ideas and intention.I saw the teacher asked the students thier prefer in every
situation.Furthermore,the teachers protect the children’s right to receive a proper education
freely.All students can be educated equally.I was surpprised when I saw P.E. All students
took the lesson with the barefoot in the gym.The teacher gave an equal opportunity to the
students in many ways.
Therefore,all students can lean in the appropriate environment.All students got the
oppotunity to study under the same conditions.So they are relax and have less stress.These
environment develop the ability of children.The students are creative and imaginative.The
teachers gave the chance for the students and they could use their creative abilities in many
situations;art lessons and making the escape game,optional lessons on Wednesday,the
party of Halloween and christmas,etc.I joined the dance club which is organized by 6th
graders.They made the programs by themselves and they taught dance and gymnastics to
the 1st graders.I liked their ideas and they looked like small teachers.Also,I saw the students
could choose their learning style in the lesson.For example,they could choose the place to
study;classroom or the corridor,and study alone or with the pairs,using PC or not,etc.I think
these environment also make the students motivate to study.Their learning styles were
flexble and the teachers provide stable situations.
An international project of Mutalan Koulu were incredible.Always there are some
international people in the school such as Japanese cultural ambasserddor and spanish
students.There are a lot of visitors from the other countries as well.So the students can know
the other country’s cultures and they have a lot of opportunities to use English.I’ve been one
and half year in this school,so I felt that the students have improved their English skills.One
girl couldn’t talk in English when I met her first time.She always said “My English is bad”,but
now she can explain anything in English fluently.This is because not only she study English
hard but also she use English in dairy life.The students had the chance to communicate with
the international students. Some students exchanged letters and some students could go to
the other country’s school.As you know, the International exchange is so active and the
students can learn English,communication skills and knowlege’s of culture.
Lastly,I liked the vibes of the staffs of Mutalan koulu.Always the teachers allowed me to
observe the lessons. All teachers are skillfull and there are excellent and funny assistant
teachers as well.I liked to talk with them during the break time.The assistant teachers
communicate with me friendly and I learn some Finnish words and their peacefull life by
them.Thanks to them,I felt comfortable.The assistant teachers and teachers helped each
other.It was not always easy situation.When there were some troubles,they corporated and
the faced the trouble as a team.I think these positive and unity vibes are made by the
headmaster,Mika.I was impressed by his leadership.He support to teachers a lot and he also
could become a backstate players.I’ve never met the headmaster like him.I appriciate all
teachers and I respect all staffs,pariculaly English teacher Hanna-Kaisa.She took the
important role of an international projects and I was so impressed her enegy and her positive
attitude. I couldn’t say thank you for her.
I learned a lot and the experience at Mutalan koulu is invaluable wealth.I was honored for
being Japanese culutural ambassedor of Mutalan Koulu.
I will never forget and I hope I would like to visit again.
Kiitos palijon.