Category: Fulbright & Finland

Picture: The Finnish people really enjoy family time, so to embrace the ideal here is my family relaxing on ice after a good day’s work in Helsinki.

What I know right now-I know that I continue to be in awe and at the same time overwhelmed by this Fulbright gift, and eager/excited to dive further into my project.

This past week I was invited to Helsinki to meet with the Fulbright Finland Foundation. Meeting with other Fulbright grantees provided access to some of the most respected educators within this country providing a stimulating arena for answering key questions about Finland’s educational system. Given that my focus is special education, as per the norm, my platform is special, and I have to find my way to get my specific questions answered, as they typically aren’t a part of the overall spiel. So in typical and uncomfortable Robyn fashion I spoke up not just in a staff meeting, but to some “higher ups” within the realm of the Finnish educational system.

This provided our group with many insights to the Finnish education system and has thus created a stronger foundation for this inquiry project. The Finnish Counselor of Education, Elija Kauppinen, responded to my questions about how students with special needs access the National Curriculum and I absolutely loved her response! “Teachers are not implementers of curriculum they are constant developers of curriculum. With this process all students have the opportunity to find their own potential.” Wow! How often I am conflicted back home with the given curriculum knowing full well that if I could tweak this and alter that then my student would have access to the meaningful components of what we are told to teach.  

I then heard from Hanna Bjorkman the head of International Relations from the city of Helsinki who was so proud to share that in Finland the poorest child could have the best education. She continued to share that when former President Barack Obama came to Finland how he too was taken with this statement. It really resonated not just with me but every person in attendance of this conference. The big question is how can we shift our educational system to meet the needs of ALL of our nation’s children. When I have the answer to this million-dollar question I’ll be sure to shout it from the rooftops.

Finally I was able to speak with Maija Heikkila, A Fulbright Alumni who is a teacher at the University Teacher training School in Vikki, about how accommodations and modifications were made in Finland. She helped me to understand that plain and simple in Finland teachers are Trusted. This word trust has since come up again and again when meeting with educators throughout the country. This trust allows educators to do what they know to be best for their programs and for their students. Trust, such a simple word and yet so powerful. How can we as educators be trusted to make the multitude of decisions we make each day? In fact, I had just shared via email with one of my teacher candidates back home about this word trust. That she needed to trust that her instincts were right and that by sharing how she made these decisions perhaps her administrator would begin to trust thus understand and appreciate the multitude of decisions she made each day.

So I leave my educator friends and family members with this:

1. Trust that you know what you are doing and do it confidently, if you have trust then      perhaps this will spread so more people trust you (us)

2. You are the developers of the curriculum-don’t implement but make it your own!

3. Teach each student because no matter their ability and/or background they absolutely deserve the very best.

Picture: Meg’s picture of ridge with lake in foreground 

Never have we been so hot! Which may sound strange coming from recent residents of Finland. The reason as to why we were so hot was because we were introducing ourselves into the Finnish custom of going into a sauna when we were invited to a small get-together. Since it was a small sauna, the two of us and dad, accompanied by our new friends and their dad, was all we could fit. Halfway through we stepped gingerly outside into the freezing cold night and then lowered ourselves cautiously into the freezing water of an unheated outdoor pool; only to scramble back out again.

The hosts were so generous and knew exactly what people our age wanted to try out in Finland: chocolate. Which is something they are very well known for and also have very high standards for the quality, too. After testing several different flavours, we still can’t make up our minds as to what our favourites were. Not to mention that some of the flavours were completely foreign so it made it ever harder to distinguish between them.

We were so thankful to be able to not only get to know fellow Finns, it was also great to come to understand how different some things they do here. For ex. students don’t have standardized tests or finals. Which as you can imagine is completely different from our norm.

To ‘finnish’ – pun intended… we are still excited to be discovering and doing new things in our new hometown.

Picture: Mindfulness at the workplace-imagine…

Earlier in the week, I was running around my new workplace getting acquainted with the unfamiliar, gaining access codes, new keys, and swiftly walking into yet another new office space. I was sweating because with my mind all aflutter with to-do lists, I hadn’t yet learned to take off my massive parka, hat, gloves, scarf and place all of these belongings in the lobby rack. Imagine my surprise as I open the door to what I’m hoping is the right room, I am struck instantly by the calm and quiet. All employees standing quietly listening to an instructor leading them through a series of stretches and mindfulness lessons. I’ve read about this and often wished I could be a part of a group of professionals who’d value this type of time each day, however I’ve never seen it in action…pure amazement on my face as I watched from the sidelines so as not to disturb their mindfulness practice. After a bit my US ‘go go go go’ mentality kicks in telling me I must get the next item off my list accomplished. However, this vision stuck with me for several days and I began to imagine what this would look like at home.

Imagine a gathering of education professionals coming together for a meeting. I can hear your groans as you read this:) Instead, visualize a group of professionals walking quietly into a room that has already been set up with tables pushed to the side and yoga mats placed along the floor. As each colleague walks in they knowingly remove their shoes and quietly take their place on the floor, some with blankets brought from home. The lights dim and all are quietly listening to the directions given. No time is spent on, “The agenda today is…” Rather, the mindfulness and meditation occurs straight away and lasts for 40 minutes. All participants are respectful, all take part, and all embrace the benefits from this exercise. As 1 or 2 arrive late they find their spot quickly and quietly so as to not interfere, blending in and honoring the space of the their colleagues during this mindfulness practice. As the session ends, colleagues begin to engage in calm and quiet conversation as each person takes their part in placing the room back together, rolling up mats, putting chairs back, and slowly walking towards the next step of the program. It seems as though all are walking through water with movements slow and deliberate with a soft smile as a gift from the previous 40 minutes.

A line forms as a meal of healthy salad, tea/coffee/water, and fresh baked breads are presented to nourish the colleague’s bodies. Options are all healthy with gluten free and peanut-free choices. The line runs smoothly as people are patient and willing to take their time choosing from the 5 various salad options. Each person takes a seat not saving places for a specific person, but welcoming whom so ever comes to their table. A delicious meal is supplemented with quiet conversations of families, work, vacations, hopes for future. As the meal comes to a close all walk to a new room.

This new room is set up with stool cushions for all to sit on, allowing for flexible seating. The room fills with anticipation and a few giggle in quiet tones as they await further instruction. In front of the room 5 individuals prepare to complete an artistic improvisation of the information each of the colleagues share in small groups. Some humor unfolds, some tears at the loss of a loved one, and hopes all transcribed onto the stage. The purpose is quite clear: it is to bring the professionals together. Small groups are encouraged discussing the struggles of the past year with more impromptu improvisations depicting the challenges on stage. The session ends with a performance based on shared out visions for the year to come. At the conclusion, applause is given and each individual leaves respectfully with no further unnecessary chatter, leaving work behind. Imagine, just imagine if this was your work environment.

It’s hard to believe, but this wasn’t from my imagination: this actually occurred. I am grateful for the Department of Education at JYU for inviting me to participate in their staff gathering. Even with everything being in Finnish, the entire evening was incredible and the mood and approach transferred across any language barriers.

Picture: AAHHH!~ Me cooling off during our family sauna session.

This has been a huge first week adjusting to our new norm in Finland. Home schooling is now not just an option, but a necessity because we did not get an extra stamp on the back of the kids’ birth certificates back in the U.S. (who knew?) Without the stamp, we cannot prove the kids are ours (!) and so could not sign them up for school even if we wanted. We found this out while registering ourselves as residents in the Magistraati (registry office) in town. This is not actually a big deal as we have our own health insurance and do not mind having to leave the country in 3 months time. In fact, we already have firm plans to visit Estonia next week and will be heading to Stockholm, Sweden and St Petersburg, Russia in the Spring. So all’s well that ends well.

We have discovered that it is possible to exercise comfortably out of doors even in -12℃/10.5 ℉ weather. There’s a steep set of stairs on a ridge to climb in the park across the street. There’s also workout stations on the trails that wind in and around this beautiful area. You just have to put your spikes on to prevent slipping while you work out (that and reduce the amount you wear so as not to overheat-I know, weird isn’t it?!) The lake is now completely frozen and people are using it as a shortcut across town. We stood on it nervously today and it seemed very solid. Soon there will be a groomed skating trail around the edge, but as it’s up to 3 kilometers long, there is room on the deep layer of powder for some cross country skiing for those like me who have no experience skiing downhill, yet. Forests surround the town and so this also affords some off-roading on skis or snowshoes.

Speaking of things healthful, we have had our first experiences of sauna this week both privately in our own apartment block’s sauna during our family’s allocated time, and at a multi-family get together at someone’s home. Our private one is great and we have now been in a few times. I love the set up which includes an attached shower/wet room for showering, cooling down, and refilling the water bowl. There’s also a side room for changing. All very civilized. I’ve been opting for cooling down outside by covering myself in snow! Aaahh! So refreshing (I’m actually not kidding).

On Friday, we were invited to the lovely home of Marja and her husband Ari (I apologize if I’ve spelled your name wrong, Ari) who have been good mentors to Fulbrighters over the years. They laid on a very generous buffet of Finnish favorites including several different types of chocolates (the best have liquorice inside); sausage with melted cheese; pizza; and of course, pulla. Ari clued us into the finer points of sauna and then turned us loose in his wood-burning masterpiece of a sauna room. Of course, we were challenged to take a dip in his outside pool kept at 2℃ so as not to freeze solid. I knew it would be cold as the pool cover had almost 8 inches of snow on top. I cannot tell you how terrifying and stimulating taking an avantu (cold water swim) actually is during such cold weather. I have never experienced such cold water temperatures. However, during a sauna, it is actually a great feeling once your heart starts beating again! We all did it twice. Oh, and it doesn’t count according to the laughing Finns if you don’t totally submerge. I have a feeling though that this may be a form of hazing for new arrivals:) I jest though, as many Finns make this a part of their daily routine. Ari for one advocates it.

We have also been taking Finnish language lessons at Gloria in the multi-cultural center. The volunteers there are all so friendly and keen to help everyone learn Finnish. In addition, they also try to help everyone find and become part of a community to help them adjust to their new home country. Many of those learning Finnish are asylum seekers, or immigrants looking for a better life, adults who are there for work, students taking a semester or two of courses, or those like us who are linked to the university for a long period of time and want to learn. The materials cost just 3 Euros and last for quite a while judging by the thickness of the book and our own snail-pace progress. It’s great value, but what really stands out are the extra classes and opportunities to join other groups after class. For example, they have art and cooking classes just for women (presumably because so many have had abuse before they came to Finland) as well as craft evenings for families-all in Finnish of course. They also have government employees coming in to help with social security forms, and advisors to help with resume building, employment forms, school homework, etc. I’ve been very impressed, and a highlight has been watching a Finnish news segment on the big screen in the middle of each class. Although on the last one, which showed an interview in London, a bus rolled past with “Bollocks to Brexit” written on the side. Thankfully none of the other language learners wanted to know what it meant even though my son was giggling.

So, the initial excitement is starting to wear off and we are now adjusting to our new life away from life. Is it wrong to be craving a burrito already? Hope everyone is ok back home.

Picture: The beautiful river Tourojoki, taken by Meggie on our way to language school

Who would have thought we’d get hot in 15 degree weather. We started off our day with some running, stair climbing, and sledding as a means of working out for the first time since our arrival in Jyvaskyla. And it isn’t just physical activity that kept our heart rates up, wandering around town was so exciting, it had the same affect.

As we hurried over to our first Finnish class, we stopped to look at the breathtaking picturesque river that went beneath the bridge we were crossing. When we finally arrived at the school we were surprised to find that they wanted us to take off your shoes upon entry; something totally alien to our american customs. We had also discovered that – wow – finnish is a really tough language to learn. And that, despite the countless amount of letters per word, Finns manage to pronounce every single letter there is.

Every day in Finland has brought new experiences and adventures, it’s so been fun to put our thoughts of our trip into words, we hope you guys all enjoy it too!

Picture: Main staircase heading up Harju taken by Meggie. Skiers were jumping across the width Sunday.

Coming to Finland? After 4 whole days in Finland I have to raise a glass (empty as alcohol is very expensive here) to some great Apps and innovations we’ve discovered that make life much easier in a different country. The first is an App called HereWeGo which links to your location and can be used to find stores, addresses, museums, pretty much anything in your area. It seems to be a worldwide App and is both easy to use and free. The next is an App for the buses in Finland called Linkki which will use your location to find a destination you enter similar to google maps. The difference is that it will select the bus route and give you options on times. Then it will show you how to walk or drive to the right stop. Super useful if, like us you have only a basic understanding of where you are in a new town. You can also purchase different ticket packages or re-up existing cards. Our favorite though has to be the flexible ‘crampon’ style rubber grippers that stretch over the sole of your boots, such as YakTrax (or one of several generics available on Amazon.com or stores such as REI back in the states). With the risk of falling on ice or compressed snow, these give a great feeling of security and can easily be pulled on or off when entering a building. I’ve seen runners wearing training shoes with these built in, but I’m not there yet…Our next purchase will be personal sauna seats that you can carry around in case you get invited into one. I guess they also give peace of mind rather than whipping out some sanitizer. (Awkward;)

Just in case you feel like visiting us (or somewhere warm if you’re sensible), I recommend getting an international plan so that you can confidently use your phone. The charges can be severe I’ve heard. Some folks from the states here have brand new phones and can use a dual sim card, but the system is new and seems to have bugs that are leaving them unsupported and unable to use their phones properly. We use What’s App to either text, call, or videocall as it’s free and works better than Skype. Lastly, Google Maps always a no-brainer as who wants to be the only person walking around with a paper map? By the way, I should note that this is actually tricky to use in Finland as cell phones die very quickly in these temperatures if your walking around holding it to guide you. Mine was very sad yesterday afternoon. I guess the formation of ice on the screen should have been a clue.

Lastly, you’ve got to love Pulla which is a sweet bread liberally sprinkled with cardamom (sometimes called cardamum). It sometimes resembles a sugary loaf and at others a long Danish pastry. Very tasty and not too sweet. However, as a local told us, “Pulla makes people fat.” I guess that was either a warning or a challenge. Another favorite is a beverage served warm called glögi. It’s a spiced drink that can be either non-alcoholic or with wine. I’ve read that it was originally used to revive postmen or workers who have been outside in the frigid cold for too long. I’m surprised that it didn’t take off in England as the weather can be dodgy all year round. Is the weather in Santa Barbara dire enough to warrant a quick glass of glögi I wonder? A slippery slope there, I fear.  

Anyway, we are enjoying all aspects of life here so far. In fact, we have a sauna and assigned weekly use schedule in our apartment building. We put this to good use a few days ago. It was our kids’ first time in the heat and they fared pretty well. Liam and I opted to do it right and so after every 20 minutes or so we went outside in our shorts and flip flops to cover ourselves with snow. It’s not as bad as you think; very refreshing to stand there steaming and red-skinned in -10’ celsius weather! I have also made a startling discovery: Kebab houses everywhere. Usually a guilty pleasure in England after a night out, but now readily available in our own backyard. Of course, now the age-old question of what type of meat exactly is it molded on to the vertical pole can be speculated upon in new country. Ah well, mystery meat is always good.

Picture: Robyn in front of the education building, University of Jyvaskyla.

Actually being in Finland after all the preparation is quite surreal. My amazing mentor picked me up having hired a car and then transported me to our new home from the airport, she even had groceries waiting to ensure an easy transition.

Our apartment is a tidy little version of ikea-A family of 4 in just over 500 sqft- with no clutter- we’ve got this. My family arrived a few days later and it is soooo good to have them here with me. We’ve never travelled separately, so everything feels complete now that they’re here.

The work has begun. I’m slated to audit 2 courses: the first on the Finnish educational system and the second on special education around the world. I have been asked to lecture on special education in America. Just like at home a large emphasis on student teacher education in Finland is on ensuring that inclusive education is meaningful. I have also been asked to speak about our U.S. educational programs at various conferences. My hope is to promote CAPTAIN (California Autism Professional Training And Information Network) and EBP (Evidence Based Practices) as much as possible.

Today, my mentor and I had a lengthy discussion about a variety of topics and I was completely “geeking out” being able to discuss topics with a well respected and like minded professional. We touched on so many areas: inclusion, government control, teacher training, instructional assistant training, IA’s roles, maintaining high standards, systematic instruction, the difference between accommodations and modifications, grants, funding, collaboration with general education teachers, litigation, and the list goes on. How absolutely wonderful it is to be able to know that this gets to be my focus for the next 6 months. My hope is that the time goes slowly in order to absorb it all.