PROGRAM

Your journey begins in Helsinki (MAY 11-14) and continues in Tallinn (MAY 15-17), spanning a total of seven days. In both cities, you’ll have the opportunity to participate in job shadowing, lectures, and workshops, each highlighting the unique strengths of the local education systems.

In Finland, the focus is on student well-being, inclusivity, and student-centered learning. The Finnish education system is globally recognized for its commitment to the holistic well-being of students, ensuring that each individual’s needs are met and fostering personalized learning pathways.

As your journey continues to Tallinn, you’ll explore the strengths of the Estonian education system. Estonia is renowned for its innovation in digital education, fostering creativity, and promoting a forward-thinking approach to learning. The Estonian system excels in integrating technology into the classroom, supporting both students and teachers in developing digital literacy and creative problem-solving skills.

In addition to the educational experiences, the program includes an exclusive social agenda that promises unforgettable moments in both cities. In Finland, you’ll have the chance to relax in a traditional sauna followed by a refreshing dip in the water, experience the magic of cuddling reindeer, and rejuvenate in the serene embrace of the Finnish forest.

In Tallinn, the social program features a visit to the innovative Science Discovery Center and the iconic TV Tower, offering stunning panoramic views of the city. The medieval old town of Tallinn provides a unique historical backdrop for the final farewell dinner, where we’ll celebrate with a medieval-themed banquet, marking the end of our journey and the beginning of lasting (professional) friendships.

DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY

Sunday 12:00-17:00

• Brunch with welcome words & introduction to Finland
• Helsinki Walking Tour
• Unwind at the Allas Sea Pool: Get ready to sweat it out in the sauna and then freeze in the Baltic—an ultimate Finnish initiation

Monday (8:30-16:00)

Morning (8:30-12:00)

• Job Shadowing. Choose your focus (daycare, primary school, middle school,
  high school, or vocational education and training). Immerse yourself in the daily life of a local school.

Afternoon (13:00-16:00):

• Seminar: The basics of Finnish education, Mr. Petri Ilmonen
• Workshops in smaller groups. Participate in the session of your choice.

Evening

• Enjoy a free evening for networking and informal discussions with fellow
  participants.

Tuesday (8:30-15:30, Finnish dinner at 19)

Morning (8:30-12:00) 

• Job Shadowing part 2: Experience a second educational setting of your choice

Afternoon (13:00-15:30)

• Cultural Excursion: Visit the Suomenlinna sea fortress, a UNESCO World
  Heritage site. Engage in hands-on activities (from the student’s perspective) 

Evening

• Taste of Finland:  dinner at a local restaurant

Wednesday (8:00-15:00)

Morning (8:00-12:00)

• Nuuksio National Park Excursion: Discover the natural beauty of Finland through
  hiking in the forest and exploring Haltia’s exhibitions.
• Optional extra activity: Reindeer park 

Afternoon (13:00-15:00)

• Interactive seminar: key takeaways from Finland

Evening

• Ferry to Tallinn

Thursday (8:30- 16:00)

Morning (8:30-12)

• Job Shadowing: choose your focus (daycare, primary + middle school, high
  school, or vocational education and training). Immerse yourself in the daily life of
  your selected educational setting.

Afternoon (13:00-15:00)

• Shared Presentations: Gain insights into the Estonian school system, exploring
  best practices and what makes our approach unique.
• Workshops: Participate in the session of your choice. Topics: curriculum reform,
  assessment, digital innovation

Optional visits: 

• Maritime museum (Seaplane Harbor) 
• Science museum Energia
  Avastuskeskus
• Proto Avastustehas

Friday (8:30-16:00, Medieval Feast at 19:00) 

Morning (8:30-13:00)

• Rural school visit in Kuusalu School (primary, middle and secondary school
  together)
• Lahemaa National Park Excursion: Bog walk and manor tour.

Afternoon (14:00-16:00)

• Lessons from Estonia: discuss strategies for implementing these insights in your educational environment.

Evening 

Let’s give a cheers to the champions of the classroom!

• Medieval feast in Olde Hansa restaurant

Saturday (10:00-13:00)

• Guided tour and independent exploration in the medieval Tallinn Old Town
• Until next time!

REGISTRATION AND PRICE

How can I participate?

All registrations must be done using the online registration form. 

Discount 10% is available for groups (Schools/organizations) of 5 or more participants! Contact courses@euneos.eu for more information.

If you want to send a group but don’t know yet all participants’ names, it is possible to add them to the registration form like this:

participant 1, participant 2, etc.   

If you have problems or questions about completing the online form, please contact courses@euneos.eu

REGISTER

Prices
(Read more about grants and other options for financial support.) 

All costs for Euneos courses can be supported with Erasmus+ grant, your organisation’s or your own funding. The Erasmus+ grant corresponds to the compensation level of Erasmus+ programme 2021-27, as presented in Erasmus+ Programme Guide 2023. Read more >> 

If you have Erasmus+ KA1 funding, it should cover the fees. For those who come from outside the EU countries, there are other professional development grants for teachers. We have tried to keep the costs so low that self-funded participation is also a real option.

The price excludes Finnish VAT 25,5%. For VAT exemption, you need to register as a representative/employee of a company, school or other organization, and during the registration, provide a VAT-number or Erasmus-related OID (Organization ID) number. If you don’t have those, please send a tax certificate, trade register extract, or similar from your country to courses@euneos.eu

Course fee 660€ 

Meal and transportation package 330€

Prices include

1. Course fee (for a 7-day course): 560 euro for tuition and materials. This is covered with the course fee that you get with your grant: 80 euro per day. 
2. One hundred euro (100 €) per participant in staff mobility for courses and training that you receive with your KA1 grant for organisational support goes to the course provider due to the higher costs level to make the high quality courses affordable. Please read the Erasmus+ Programme Guide 2022. As stated in the basic principles of the Erasmus accreditation in the fields of adult education, vocational education and training, and school education Rules of application, Annex I – Erasmus Quality Standards, another possibility is the contribution paid by participants as a form of co-funding contributed by the participants in mobility activities.
3. Meal & transportation package: welcome brunch, 5 lunches, 2 dinners, refreshments, and transportation during the program (note: flights and ferry tickets are not included). Common meals and charter transport ensure the group bonds seamlessly and everyone feels completely comfortable, leaving more time and energy for learning new things.

Prices for the courses shorter than 7 days

Education in Finland and Estonia – Original Best Practices Benchmarking course also offers options of shorter than 7 days courses:

– Helsinki, 4-day single course, 420 euro & meal and transportation package 200€

– Tallinn, 3-day single course, 340 euro & meal and transportation package 130€

NB! Having into consideration that different directives may apply in different programme countries, please discuss your choice with your National Agency in case you opt for a 7-day course, including both venues – Helsinki (4 days) and Tallinn (3 days).

As Estonia and Finland are both ranked top countries in European education, we warmly recommend that you experience both school cultures subsequently. The distance between Helsinki and Tallinn venues is only 80 km with existing well-organized transport system, including a number of green travel options.

Other expenses

Travel costs and costs for accommodation and meals are covered with the Erasmus+ grant but are not included in the course fee: 

1. Travel costs. The grant includes a budget for travel costs. The amount is calculated based on the distance that you need to travel from your home place to the course. To learn more, take a look at the distance calculator.
2. Accommodation and meals (Individual support in the grant). The amount that you receive to cover the costs of your stay in hotel and meals will depend on the country. 
3. Euneos does not organise the stay in hotel but we give advice for booking of hotels in different price categories near the course venue as well as affordable options for lunch. As for dinners, all of our venues are situated at locations with an easy access to plenty of dining options.
4. Remember travel insurance

Payments- Invoicing procedure

Invoices are sent via email after your registration.

The invoice will be sent to the contact person of the school/organization. The billing address will be the school/organization’s address.

All correspondence about invoicing will be done by the contact person of the school/organization.

The invoices can be paid by the individual staff or by the school/organization. The reference number of the bill(s) should be mentioned when paying. If you don’t mention the reference number you might get a reminder for the bill as the payment will not be recognised. The use of reference number(s) when paying is a necessity. 

Euneos doesn’t accept cash payments. Please contact Euneos administration well on time and request one bill for all participants if preferable.

VAT number

VAT number, or its national equivalent, is asked because of special requirements of Finnish taxation.

Please include your possible VAT number (or national equivalent) when registering for Euneos’ courses.

Cancellation policy

In case of cancellation, Euneos Corp. as the course provider is not responsible for the financial or other consequences concerning travel, accommodation, food or other. 

If you need to cancel your registration, email courses@euneos.eu.

Course cancellations are accepted if conveyed at least 30 days before the starting date of the course. In such cases, Euneos will refund the full fee paid minus 160 eur administration cost, except in case of force majeure (for cancellations due to COVID-19 please read below.).

If the course cancellation is not conveyed within this time limit, Euneos will not refund the course fee paid. With the start of the course, the fee is non-refundable.

General terms and conditions 

The course, will be confirmed after it reaches the minimum number of participants. 

The course confirmation is publicly announced on the Euneos official website. Registered participants are also contacted by email after the course confirmation. 

Only book flexible flights or accommodation before the course confirmation announcement!

Euneos is not responsible for any travel and other arrangements prior to the confirmation of the course you have registered for. 

COVID 19

Euneos is not liable for any expenses caused by a case of force majeure.

Due to COVID -19 situation, Euneos will refund the paid course fee only when the cancellation is based on the decisions and directives of authorities (EU, government, National Agency). Cancellation cost is 160 eur per participant.

Flexible flight tickets and hotel room reservations should always be the practice. It is very important in case more schools cancel their participation on some confirmed course, and there is not even the minimum number of participants to provide the course. This is very exceptional, but it may happen during the pandemic.

Further easing: if unable to attend, the registered person may substitute someone else from the same organization or attend to the same or another Euneos course, by sending a notification to courses@euneos.eu.

Insurance

Acquiring travel insurance and social security are obligatory and at one’s own responsibility.

The European Health Insurance Card, EHIC is an option for EU citizens.

TRAINER

Euneos has an international team of trainers who are the most experienced in the field of their expertise. Meet Euneos’ trainers for the Education in Finland and/or Estonia – Original Best Practices Benchmarking courses

All trainers 

Mart Laanpere, PhD

• Professor at Tallinn University, Estonia

• Head of the R&D Centre for Educational Technology in Tallinn University
• Former mathematics and physics teacher and school principal

• Member of board of course provider Euneos, Finland

After working as a mathematics & physics teacher and school principal, he has been involved in teacher education and educational technology research for last 20 years. Mart has been contributing to international research projects focusing on the use of mobile technology and social software in teaching and learning. He is coordinating the training of school teams in the project “Digital Turn towards 1:1 Computing” funded by Samsung (www.samsungdigipoore.ee); and expert in school digital innovation and change.

Petri Ilmonen

• Chair of Board at Language High School of Helsinki
• English teacher, principal and owner of TRYcamps

Tuovi Ronkainen

• Former principal of Akaa Secondary School 
• Student in University of Turku (futures studies), future coach 
• Biology and geography teacher 
• Project Ambassador of ESHA (European School Heads Association)  
• Coordinator of Comenius and Erasmus+ projects in many schools 
• Former network coordinator of Baltic sea Project (National Board of Education) 

She has been working on many ecological projects both at the national and international levels. Her special area is future education: how to get a positive approach to the future and how to get the skills to solve wicked problems like climate change.

Spasia Neshkoska Tsutsuleska 

• International project coordinator 
• Former external expert evaluator for Erasmus+ projects 
• Former eTwinning ambassador 
• Member of the international jury of Eumind projects 
• Former principal of a vocational school in North Macedonia
• Master studies in Education and Globalization, Oulu University, Finland

ERASMUS+

VisitEDUfinn (OID CODE: E10020922 / PIC CODE: 899855324) and Euneos Corporation (OID CODE:E10124150 / PIC CODE 950782555) organise ERASMUS+ Staff Mobility job shadowing and  professional courses designed for teachers at all levels. Our programs are organized in different parts of Finland in cooperation with other stakeholders in the field of education (schools, universities, municipalities). 

All the courses are designed following the Quality Standards for courses under Key Action 1 and participants are provided with certificates that meet the Europass criteria.

Course title: Benchmarking Educators’ Success and Training in Finland and Estonia

Audience (for instance)

• Kindergarten, primary, and secondary school teachers
• Special education teachers
• School management and leadership
• All other non-teaching experts

Working Methods (for instance)

• Exploration of pre-assumptions
• Workshops
• Facilitated discussions / shared brainstorming
• Teamwork and Presentations
• Field visits   
• Personal learning diary

Outcomes (for instance)

• Gain insight into Finnish schools and education
• Facilitate team-building activities
• Implement teaching sessions by utilizing participatory methods
• Create a concrete development plan for your own school

European/ International dimension

We wait participants from many European countries as well as from outside Europe. Sharing ideas together with colleagues from different countries offers a broader perspective on the topic. The course is also a great opportunity for networking for future collaboration.

ACCOMODATION

If not in the Helsinki area, please mofidy: The participants can freely choose their accommodation. However, we highly recommend being located close to Senate Square as the most interesting sights are within walking distance from the Square. We have negotiated special rates or discounts for our clients with the companies below. After your purchase, we will give you the necessary codes.

Scandic Hotels (12% discount)

Omena Hotels (special rate)

Hotel Arthur (10% discount)

Forenom apartments (10% discount)

20 Rooms Hostel (special rate)

Tell us what kind of accommodation you prefer, and we can help to find a place for your stay!

Tallinn, Estonia

Bookings can be made directly to the hotel or through booking sites like booking.com, Tripadvisor, Expedia, Trivago and others. Booking sites offer search for hotels, apartments and bed and breakfast.

Recommended hotels:

City Box Hotel

Park Inn Central

Tallink Express

Metropol Hotel

Hestia Europa

Kalev Sp

Toompea hill with tower Pikk Hermann, Cathedral Church of Saint Mary Toomkirik and Russian Orthodox Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, view from the tower of St. Olaf church, Tallinn, Estonia

HELSINKI

Is Helsinki the coolest city in the world?

Probably yes! In the capital of Finland, you can find the influence of both our neighbors, Sweden and Russia, but still the city is unique. It’s a modern metropole with over 650, 000 inhabitants (1,5 million in the larger metropolitan area) and yet you are never more than a 10-minute walk from nature. On the same day, you can pick berries in a forest and go to the Opera. Helsinki is a lively big city that never sleeps, but so safe that you can see 7-year-old first graders the take the tram to school on their own. 

Feeling the fresh breeze of the Baltic Sea while wandering around the picturesque streets of this easy-going city, it is not so difficult to imagine why Finns are the happiest nation in the world. After the walk, warm yourself up with a cup of coffee and a cinnamon bun. These coffee breaks with friends and colleagues are almost sacred moments to Finns. 

While in Helsinki, check out the libraries as a social innovation in Finnish education, interactive museums, the islands around Helsinki and the sauna. There are many more attractions that promise unforgettable experience in Helsinki such as  Alvar Aalto’s studio, Helsinki Cathedral by Carl Ludvig Engel, Senate Square, Old Market Hall, Löyly sauna and restaurant, and much more. 

Check out What’s up in Helsinki during your study visit!

TALLINN

Check out what you visit in Tallinn during your study visit!

EDUCATION IN FINLAND

How is education in Finland?

During our events and courses, you will get familiar with all the characteristics of Finnish education:

• One of the basic principles is that everyone must have equal access to high-quality education and training.
• Each student has the right to educational support.
• Special needs education is generally provided within mainstream education.
• The Finnish education system is based on the philosophy of inclusion.
• Educational support and guidance covers support for learning according to the individual capacity of the learners, school attendance, pupil welfare, and guidance and counseling. The learning of gifted pupils and students is supported.
• The education system is based on trust and responsibility.
• Educational autonomy is high at all levels.
• Most education is publicly funded.
• National core curriculum gives space for local variations.
• Learning outside the classroom is common.
• The first national examination is at the end of general upper secondary education.
• Teaching continues to be an attractive profession.
• Finnish schools have highly educated teaching personnel.
• Continuing teacher education is widely encouraged

Read more about Finnish Education. 

EDUCATION IN ESTONIA

How is education in Estonia?

• The national curriculum leaves space for the school to develop their own curriculum.
• All schools can decide on their goals and the focus of studies.
• Teachers decide on the appropriate textbooks and teaching methods they would like to use in their lessons.
• In Estonia, education is free by law unless parents opt for private schools for their children.
• Apart from free services, such as lunch, textbooks, and school transport, students get support services if needed.
• According to the child’s interests, the child may also be enrolled in a hobby school.

Read more about Estonian Education.