127 Days in a few words in my working experience as a trainee in Mutalan Koulu.

 

First of all who am I.

I am a Greek American graduate who lives in Athens, Greece. Nimeni on Kyriaki Katsara. Olen 22-vuotias. I came to Finland because I really admire the Finnish educational system and I wanted to obtain an initial work experience in an international environment. Moreover, I wanted to learn about the Finnish culture, the people, the climate but mostly to see in action why the Finnish educational system is so popular around the world.

Mutalan Koulu surpassed all my expectations. Everyone in the faculty was so friendly and helpful and they treated me with professionalism and respect. I observed motivated and independent pupils who were really willing to learn. Even from the first day, I distinguished that all teachers were cooperating with each other and also they were spending productive time together.

At Mutalan Koulu I saw in action the positive pedagogy that I studied in my university books and I saw methods implemented that I had never seen in Greece before. I observed that teachers treated all students with equality and by using a variety of activities and games made the learning process more fun.

In Mutalan Koulu, not only had I the opportunity to collaborate with teachers that use different learning styles and to familiarize with the Finnish curriculum but also, I saw ways how to use new technologies in education, how to be close to the pupils and how to structure in practise a lesson plan. I participated as well in extra curriculum activities with the school even from the first day I arrived (gatherings, workshop, Christmas celebration, excursions and sports) Sometimes I would see some of the pupils after school while ice skating and we would end up having lots of fun together.

In closing and realizing that my stay in Finland is coming to an end I want to thank everybody in Mutalan Koulu for helping me and teaching me that everything is possible, for offering me a once in a lifetime experience and helping me become a global citizen and a better person.

Totta kai (my favorite Finnish word) my experience in Joensuu and in other places that I visited in Finland were unique. However, I have to say Kiitos pupils, Suomi and Mutalan Koulu for all the amazing things I have learned. Last but not least a special thank you to Hanna-Kaisa, Risto and to all the teachers and teacher assistants who were always here for me.

Joensuu is like its temperature…it is cool!

 

Korina