Contact:
melina.rauhala@visitedufinn.com
We are thrilled to invite you to be part of something truly inspiring – the Teachers’ Summer School HEAT2026 in Helsinki, Finland! This program is not just any professional development opportunity, but a chance to connect with other educators and learn in a unique setting that combines history, culture, and the deep presence of nature.
From classrooms to outdoor learning environments, every experience is enriched by the closeness of Finnish forests, lakes, and the sea. At the iconic Suomenlinna Sea Fortress, a World Heritage Site surrounded by the Baltic waters, your learning journey will be grounded in fresh perspectives, authentic encounters, and opportunities that will stay with you for years to come. Alongside the immersive learning experiences, you’ll also discover Helsinki—a vibrant hub of innovation and creativity, yet always in dialogue with its natural surroundings.
While at the Teachers’ Summer School HEAT2026, you will gain practical tools to apply phenomenon-based, student-centered methods in your own work. Rooted in the Finnish tradition of drawing strength and inspiration from nature, these approaches emphasize balance, well-being, and curiosity—values essential for today’s learners. Sharing knowledge with teachers from around the world, you’ll deepen your professional self-confidence and bring your own voice to the dialogue.
Enrollment for this one-of-a-kind opportunity is limited. So, act fast and seize the day! We can’t wait to see you become part of something special in Helsinki in August 2026!
Our course can now be tailored for private groups to fit your specific needs and schedule. To get a quote, Contact us at info@visitedufinn.com. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to develop your skills!
What will you learn?
The Summer School curriculum is based on the Finnish national core curriculum. The pedagogical approach is holistic and student-centered. You will take part in the interactive and inspiring learning sessions. We will focus on phenomenon-based teaching and learning, a move away from subjects and towards interdisciplinary topics. HEAT Summer School is like a typical Finnish camp school aiming to strengthen cooperation and communication skills in the classroom. You will be able to learn by doing and sharing not only with the students but also with the local experienced teachers.
The Summer School opens you an opportunity to share ideas, knowledge, and local practices, which are ethically sustainable and culturally sensitive and could be transferred from one culture to another.
Tentative program – Please note that minor changes are possible!
Monday, August 24
8:30 Opening & introduction to Finnish Education
10:00 Everyone introduces themselves, followed by a team-building exercise
12:00 Group divided into two:
Group A: History & sports: Shadowing 6th graders’ outdoor mobile-adventure-game
Group B: School Visit, Primary
14:00 Late lunch
15:00 Time for independent cultural experiences
Tuesday, August 25
8:30 Shadowing at kindergarten
11:30 Lunch
12:30-15:00 Group divided into two:
Group A: School Visit, Primary
Group B: Researchers of the Baltic Sea – a biology & geography workshop in Suomenlinna
15:30-17:00 Debrief of the first two days
Wednesday, August 26
8:30 School visit, Middle School
11:30 Lunch at School
13-15 Be a student – lesson simulations
Coffee break/ free time
17:00 Cannons & tunnels – a guided history tour in Suomenlinna (optional)
Thursday, August 27
9:00 School visit, High School or Vocational (lunch at school)
13:00-16:00 Finnish afternoon: Canoeing, sauna, and swimming at Lake Tuusula.– Lake Tuusula is renowned as a cultural landscape, home to many Finnish artists, writers, and composers of the Golden Age of Finnish national romanticism.
Friday, August 28
9:00 Wrap up: A relaxed space to come together, share ideas, and envision the future of your school – exploring both what feels possible and what might once have seemed impossible.
12:00 Farewell Lunch
13:00 Discover HEUREKA science museum; Awaken your inner Archimedes or let your inner child play!
How can I participate?
All registrations must be done using the online registration form.
Discounts available for groups of 5 or more participants! Contact courses@euneos.eu for more information.
If you want to send a group, but you 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 (Registration takes place on our sister company, Euneos’ website)
Prices
(Read more about grants and other options for financial support.)
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 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 500€
Price includes
The meal & transport package (240€ excl. VAT) is obligatory, and it includes:
Other expenses
Airline tickets and accommodation must be bought separately.
Payments
When we confirm the course we send a link to pay with a credit card or an invoice to make a bank transfer. The participant should assume all the bank transaction fees.
Please note that all payments must be made in advance and in euros (€).
Cancellation policy
Cancellation by participant
All cancellations must be made by email to courses@euneos.eu at least a month before the course starts. If you do not cancel your participation at all, you will be charged the full fee. Please note that a processing fee of 50€ (excl. VAT) will be deducted from all refunds. If unable to attend, the registered person may substitute someone else from the same organization by sending a notification to courses@euneos.eu.
Cancellation by VisitEDUfinn
If the documents attached during the registration process are not valid, and the participant does not deliver proper documents immediately after requested, VisitEDUfinn has the right to cancel the participation without any refund. However, participation is always possible, paying the normal fee (or the price difference).
In case the event is canceled due to COVID-19 or a similar situation, all the payments will be refunded without any processing fee. VisitEDUfinn is not responsible for any damage caused by the cancellation and strongly recommends purchasing flexible flight tickets and accommodation.
Invitation letters
VisitEDUfinn will write invitation letters only after the full payment. If the participant cannot get a visa and sends evidence about the rejected visa application, VisitEDUfinn will refund the paid amount. However, 100€ (excl. VAT) will be deducted as an administrative fee.
TEAM HEAT 2026
Ms. Johanna Havisto studied foreign languages, educational sciences, and psychology at the University of Turku. She has worked with learners of different ages for several years. Since 2019, she has been hosting international teachers in Finland and coordinating programs that introduce them to Finnish educational culture. Currently, she is furthering her expertise by completing a qualification in special education.
She believes that learning is intrinsically joyful for humans, and her guiding philosophy is that the best form of pedagogical love is creating a culture where everyone feels valued as they are.
Ms. Suvi Krista Westling is an expert on educational psychology with a broad view of education and a deep understanding of the human mind. She has graduated from and later taught students in an innovative program of educational psychology at the University of Helsinki. Her teaching has included lecturing, supervising pre-service teachers’ practice, and facilitating group processes and phenomenon-based group studies. In her research, she has studied the quality of regulation of students’ learning and activity both at school and at teacher education. She has worked as an expert in educational program design at an academic level as well as in a few international organizations.
Suvi has also gained grassroots experience with children and teenagers while working as a classroom teacher, youth worker, and camp supervisor in various places at earlier phases of her life. She has developed an international mindset and understanding of different cultures by participating and working in different international communities and networks, living and studying in Latin America (Chile).
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: HEAT2025 – Helsinki Education in Action for Teachers
Audience
Working Methods
Outcomes
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.
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. Forenom offers comfortable accommodation in different locations around Helsinki area, and our clients get 10% discount (ask for a code). For those with a limited budget, Eurohostel is an excellent option.
Tell us what kind of accommodation you prefer, and we can help to find a place for your stay!
How to get from the airport to the hotels
Several Taxi companies are offering their services in the airport. The price to the city center is approximately 50€. There are also public transportation options; both the railway and bus stations are located in the airport. The price is around 5€, depending on whether you pay cash or use an application or ticket machine.
Weather in Helsinki
Depending on the time of the year, the temperature can be anything between -30 and +30 Celsius. Please visit the Finnish Meteorological Institute’s website for updated news on the weather in Helsinki.
Language
The official languages in Finland are Finnish and Swedish, but practically everyone knows basic English, and especially the people involved in tourism speak very good English.
Currency
The Finnish currency unit is the Euro. There are numerous cash machines (ATMs) open around the clock and accepting all major credit cards. Besides, Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted almost everywhere (hotels, restaurants, shops, taxis, cafeterias, bars, etc.).
Voltage
The electric current in Finland is 230V, 50Hz. Plugs are two-pin continental size.
Time
The time in Finland is GMT/UTC+2 (During Daylight Saving Time +3)
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.
How is education in Finland?
During our events and courses, you will get familiar with all the characteristics of Finnish education:
Read more about Finnish Education.
For additional information about the registrations, payments, and invoices, please contact:
Euneos Corporation
Mäntyviita 7H
02110 Espoo
Email: courses@euneos.fi
For other inquiries about this course, please contact:
VisitEDUfinn Ltd.
c/o Sofia Helsinki Members
Sofiankatu 4 C
00170 HELSINKI
Tel. +358 407 516 478
Email: info@visitedufinn.com
Ms. Rauhala (B.A.) is an educational sciences student at the University of Turku with studies also in the fields of psychology, business and HR, and sociology. As an education major, she is passionate about lifelong learning and the Finnish education system. She believes in change through education. In addition, Ms. Rauhala loves to learn new languages. She completed an Erasmus + university exchange in Spain as a part of her studies and wants to work toward everyone getting international learning opportunities. Ms. Rauhala is working for VisitEDUfinn part-time while finishing her studies.
Contact:
melina.rauhala@visitedufinn.com
