Thanks to the opportunities provided by the Erasmus+ project of IISS Galileo Galilei di Bolzano (KA122 action, L.I.N.E.A. project), two teachers—Antonio Gagliostro, a mathematics teacher, and Antonella Petrone, a teacher of German as a second language—were able to spend a rich and stimulating week of job shadowing as guests of the Kouvolan Yhteislyseo in Kouvola, Finland.

The days were intense and deeply formative. Mr. Gagliostro closely followed mathematics, physics, and history lessons, while Ms. Petrone took part in English and German classes. The two teachers also had numerous opportunities to exchange views with many other colleagues and the school's counselors, discussing at length the differences between the two school systems, the opportunities offered by their respective educational models, and, above all, the potential room for improvement in teaching methodologies.

The experience made it possible to observe various aspects of Finnish school organization firsthand, noting diverse class sizes, a highly structured arrangement of teaching materials, and the systematic use of digital formats. Textbooks, exercise materials, and most activities are indeed available in digital format and can be accessed directly via the computers provided to students and teachers alike. A distinct feature of the school is the independence and empowerment of the students, who are trusted to manage and organize themselves autonomously—not only in designing their study plan by choosing both the level of depth and elective subjects, but also in managing their arrivals and departures and consulting library materials.

It was also particularly interesting to observe the learning methods, which rely heavily on written work and the individual processing of content.

The core idea behind the L.I.N.E.A. project is precisely to renew the teaching of languages and STEAM subjects through the observation and implementation of good practices, both in pedagogy and inclusion.

“In Finland, we found a large and welcoming school, deeply attentive to the well-being of the school community and its young people, who are granted great trust and a genuine sense of responsibility in their learning journey. From an organizational standpoint, we were struck by the pervasive integration of digital technology into daily teaching: textbooks and all exercise materials are digital, accessible directly on the PCs provided to every student and teacher. Above all, we will carry the human factor in our hearts. Our colleagues welcomed us with extraordinary helpfulness, ready to share their time and answer our every curiosity.”

A heartfelt thank you goes to all the staff at Kouvolan Yhteislyseo, and a special “Thank you” to Mr. Mika Rissanen and Ms. Eija Parviainen, the Erasmus Project coordinators and our constant points of reference: with them, a bond was forged based on shared ideas, smiles, and deep reflections, laying the groundwork for a lasting friendship and future professional collaborations.