Professional freedom is where it’s at. Being trusted to create and implement this project on my own with a free rein provides a tremendous amount of flexibility that I am just not used to as an American overachiever striving within the confines of my employment. However, it has been awesome to stretch these autonomous wings.
Establishing relationships with Finnish educational personnel in schools is trickier than I thought- I really wanted to work within an inclusive setting for students with moderate and severe disabilities. It has taken many, many emails, visits, phone calls, and meetings with some amazingly dedicated professionals to find any semblance of this. However, none really offer what I had expected. And during each visit, much of the classroom teaching that I see surprises me. Yet, the conversations and discussions with professionals throughout this country is inspiring and so far the communicative exchange is my favorite aspect of this global collaboration.
To round out this opportunity I am making full use of experiences with Finns. I have connected with professors, doctoral students, parents, and anyone interested in talking SpEd. I have also followed my personal interests indulging in several side interests such as swimming, hiking, running on ice, and crafting. I know that I won’t regret a minute of time I spend exploring such hobbies even if they are non-project related aspects of Finnish life. In fact, I think they add dimension to my inquiry. Furthermore, they will really allow me to bring Finland home to my students and community.
I really enjoy being able to get together with the other Fulbrighters- we have long, glorious conversations about our different projects and similar thinking. Agreeing that a world with no childhood poverty; a flexible system of education that values finding your bliss; relative income equality; accessibility to free higher education, childcare, and healthcare; and a strong work ethic seem to be the answers to all our different questions.
I love the freedom to discover concepts and areas beyond the proposed project and am enthralled with this chance: free to be me.