Experiencing a culture is a way to learn.
Fearlessness: Finding the courage to face and push past your fears. Lately, I keep coming back to this theme of fearlessness. It’s come up in several conversations I’ve had over the past few months, and it’s got me thinking: How do we teach our children to be fearless? Is it Read more…
Finnish teachers are eager to help kids learn outside the classroom. I have encountered this on several occasions during my short time here in Finland. Students go cross-country skiing for several kilometers in the woods. One teacher takes her class out to the forest near her school for 2 hours Read more…
Some days, you just need a little bit of nature. Talk to any Finn, and they’d agree with me. And sometimes, you meet someone, and you know you can have meaningful conversation, brainstorm, and create. Well, today, I met three of those people, and spent the day playing (and learning, Read more…
“We do not learn from experience…we learn from reflecting on experience.” ― John Dewey With each “Finnish” experience I have had, a great deal of reflection has accompanied it. I think this is why I am so intrigued by Tiina’s photo project. Not only has it allowed me to reflect on Read more…
“I define connection as the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued; when they can give and receive without judgment; and when they derive sustenance and strength from the relationship.” ― Brené Brown Connections. I know I wrote a post on this already, but one of Read more…
I began my Thursday as any other day- I brewed a pot of coffee, showered, and got myself ready for the day. I would be visiting a rural school in Nittylahti, an area about 15km outside of Joensuu. I was looking forward to not only visiting this school but also Read more…
When I returned from Tallinn, I was met at the ferry terminal with the second name sign I’ve ever had (the first one was made by my advisors when they met us at the Joensuu airport to welcome us to Finland). I was met by Kaija and Jukka, friends of Read more…
As I removed my boots, jacket, gloves, and hat, put on my headphones and some tunes, I collapsed into the train seat, determined not to move for the next 4.5 hours. I was exhausted, but in the best way possible. I remember talking to a friend and saying that Read more…
Being the active person I am, I have spent some time these first 2 weeks in Joensuu exploring my options as far as sports and various activities to participate in. Being an avid hiker and kick boxer, I had a feeling those opportunities would be few and far between here Read more…
From the moment we arrived here in Joensuu, we have hit the ground running. Between orientation at the university (which began the day after our arrival), meeting the people we will be working with, and getting to know what clothing to wear/what to bring each day when you don’t have Read more…