Education and Society

Education and Society
Finland and Sweden

“What I learned simply cannot be summed up in a few sentences but it was a truly incredible experience. This program was centered around a topic that I am passionate about and was a length that was perfect for me.”

Shannon E., Arizona State University student and Education in Finland program participant

Academic Field(s)
Education
Destinations
Helsinki and Stockholm

Duration
13 days
Accommodation
2- and 3-star hotels in Helsinki and Stockholm

On almost every indicator worth measuring – from public health to educational attainment to social well-being – the Scandinavian nations seem to have it all figured out.

Students participating in this program will be invited to gather first-hand impressions of the variety of schools and kindergartens implemented in Sweden and Finland, as well as discussing recent developments with local experts.

The students’ learning outcomes will enable them to put their own education system into perspective and consider implementing new approaches in their careers as future educators.

DAY 1
- Overnight flight to Helsinki, Finland (group flight can be booked separately)
DAY 2-5: HELSINKI
Stay 4 nights at a 3-star hotel in Helsinki
- Arrival at Helsinki Vantaa Airport (HEL)
- Check-in at the hotel and orientation session by your CEPA On-Site Coordinator
- Guided walking tour of Helsinki, during which you will see some of the city’s highlights, such as the Cathedral of Helsinki or the Senate Square
- Welcome dinner at a Finnish restaurant
- Visit a secondary school, such as Kulosaari Secondary School, to learn about the Finnish K-12 education system first hand. At the international school, teaching is conducted in both Finnish and English.
- Visit the Viikki Teacher Training School of the University of Helsinki, which is one of the oldest schools of Finland. Its educational philosophy is to teach its students the skills and knowledge needed in the future.
- Visit a Waldorf School to learn about its humanistic approach to pedagogy, which is based on the educational philosophy of the Austrian philosopher Rudolf Steiner
- Admission to the Suomenlinna Museum, located on an island, to learn about the historical events surrounding the fortress and the lives of people who lived and worked there
- Visit a kindergarten to learn about day-care in Finland, where children do not begin primary school until they are seven years old. However, from the age of eight months, all have access to free, full-day day-care and kindergarten.
- Guided tour of Helsinki’s Design Museum, which is an internationally recognized specialist museum of Finnish design

DAY6-13: STOCKHOLM
- Free day to explore Helsinki further on your own
- Overnight ferry from Helsinki to Stockholm
Stay 6 nights at a 2-star hotel in Stockholm
- Check-in at the hotel and orientation session by your CEPA On-Site Coordinator
- Guided walking tour of Stockholm’s old town, Gamla Stan, to get a first impression of your new surroundings and to see the Royal Palace, the German Church, and the Big Square
- Free afternoon to explore the city further at your own pace
- Visit a school offering other alternative teaching methods, such as a Montessori school. The approach was developed by Maria Montessori and is a child-centered educational approach based on scientific observation on children.
- Visit the Department of Education at Stockholm University for a meeting with faculty members and/or students to learn about the Swedish education system
- Visit a preschool, such as the Futuraskola International Pre-School Brun. In Sweden, children are entitled to a place in a municipal preschool or one of the independent preschools.
- Guided tour of the Royal Palace, which is the Majesty The King’s official residence. The palace was built in baroque style by the architect Nicodemus Tessin and is formed as a Roman palace.
- Visit a primary school, the Grundskola. In the Swedish compulsory school, each student takes 16 compulsory subjects which are sorted by time allocated and are taken in all three school stages.
- Free afternoon to explore the capital of Sweden further on your own
- Visit an upper secondary school, e.g. Östra Reals Gymnasium. As part of a student-linked funding system, children and their parents can select the school they prefer.
- Admission to the Nobel Museum, a museum devoted to circulating information on the Nobel Prize. The Nobel Prize Museum showcases information about the prizewinners as well as on Alfred Nobel.
- Free day to explore Stockholm
- Farewell dinner at a Swedish restaurant
- Departure from Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN)

What’s included in this sample itinerary:
Academic and professional excursions with special presentations • cultural excursions and field trips with local, bilingual guides • entrance fees and reservations • accommodation in 2- and 3-star hotels (twin rooms for students; single room for the faculty) • daily breakfast • overnight ferry tickets • welcome and farewell dinner • local transportation by private bus as needed • public transportation passes in Helsinki and Stockholm • on-site coordinator during excursions • orientation sessions • time to study, instruct, and explore

Program fee starting at € 1,680 per participant based on a group size of 20

Program fee starting at € 1,890 per participant based on a group size of 15
All program fees are calculated to include participation of one accompanying faculty or group leader.
Prices are based on a minimum number of 15 or 20 paying participants.
The actual quote for a tailored program will vary depending on different factors, for example: the actual program dates, the final participant number, the duration of the program, the visits and excursions included, as well as varying exchange rates