Program
PROGRAM
This is a preliminary program based on the successful 2023 program. There will be changes as we confirm next year’s speakers and add new elements.
The fundamental purpose of LIFE2024 is to see in person how students’ well-being is enhanced in Finnish kindergartens and schools. You get a chance to shadow daily life at local schools. You can choose the age range to ensure it is suitable for your needs*. If you want to know more about pre-primary education, note that in Finland, it usually takes place in kindergartens. Here are the age ranges for each visit:
- Kindergarten (age 0–6)
- Primary & lower secondary school (age 7-15)
- Teacher Training School (age 7–12)
- High School/Vocational School (age 16–18)
During the shadowing, you will observe teachers in their activities and talk about their daily teaching practices.
LIFE2024 offers engaging expert presentations, workshops focusing on different aspects of Finnish education, and learning outside the classroom “on the move”. The course also aspires to create an output. This involves working individually or in groups on a concrete project to be used in your own school, such as composing a (new) wellbeing plan.
Tentative program for LIFE2024 – Please note that changes are possible. **
Friday 26
10:00 – 19:00 Participating in Educa event (English program). You can join an optional Educa School Visit.
Saturday 27
10:00 – 17:00 Educa continues (English program)
Traveling to Rovaniemi (according to individual flight options). Recommended visit before going to Rovaniemi: Oodi Library.
NOTE! Educa-program will be streamed so you can also fly directly to Rovaniemi without missing the presentations.
Sunday 28
08:30 – 09:00 Registration at Santa’s Hotel Santa Claus
09:00 – 09:45 Conference opening
09:45 – 10:15 Educa event reflections
10:15 – 10:30 Coffee break
10:30 – 11:00 Introduction to Finnish education
11:00 – 11:30 Finnish pre-education & care
12:30 – 17:30 Visiting Santa Claus Village; includes an optional ride in Husky Park
19:00 – 22:00 Ice Restaurant Dinner Experience (optional)
Monday 29
08:30 – 13:00 Kindergarten or Comprehensive school visit (including lunch)
13:45 – 16:30 Program at the Santa’s Hotel Santa Claus (including coffee)
- 13:45-14:15 wrap up talk
- 14:20-15:20 Student welfare at Finnish schools (speaker to be announced later)
- Coffee break
- 15:30-16:30 Jussi Kainulainen: Local implementations of the national curriculum – case Rovaniemi
19:00 – 21:00 City Reception
Tuesday 30
08:30 – 13:00 High school, Vocational school or Teacher training school visit (including lunch)
13:00 – 13:30 Socratic walk & visit wrap up at Santa’s Hotel Santa Claus
13:30 – 14:30 Winter activities (ice swimming or sled slides)
14:30 – 15:00 Coffee break
15:00 – 18:00 group split in two:
- ‘Be a student’ – lesson simulations in a Finnish school*
OR
19:00 – 21:30 Excursion to Aurora Borealis Camp (optional)
Wednesday 31
09:00 – 11:30 Discovering elements of well-being
11:30 – 12:30 Lunch
12:30 – 15:00 Discovering elements of well-being
15:00 – 18:00 group split in two:
- ‘Be a student’ – lesson simulations in a Finnish school*
OR
19:00 – 21:00 Farewell Dinner at Santa’s Hotel Santa Claus
Thursday 1
08:30 – 09:00 Introduction to Finnish Teacher education – interviews with students.
09:00-10:00 Working on the action plans.
Coffee Break
10:15-12:15 Heljä Misukka: The ultimate Q&A session about the Finnish school system.
12:15-12:30 Closing words, feedback
12:30 – 13.30 Lunch
14:00 – 17:00 Snowmobile Safari to Reindeer Farm (optional)
AFTERLIFE EXPERIENCE: optional with an extra fee
Friday 2
09:30 – 12:30 A 3-hour hands-on workshop: Learning through and about nature
We have combined three different elements in one package. You get
- to experience Finnish nature education in the role of a student.
- to learn about Lappish lifestyle and survival skills needed in
Arctic environment. - concrete tools to use in your work.
This nature pedagogy workshop is designed and conducted by Kimmo Tuunala from Finncredible.
* IMPORTANT! All the school visits and lesson simulations have a minimum and maximum group size. The earlier you book, the more options you will have!
** NOTE! If there are differences between the brochure and the website, you can count on the website as it has updated information.
Registration and Prices
**Registration is now open** Join Lapland International Forum for Education 2024!
All registrations for LIFE2024 must be done using the online registration form. Accepted methods of payment are credit card and bank transfer. Below are also additional links for booking accommodation in Santa’s Hotel Santa Claus and the winter activities with Lapland Safaris.
REGISTER FOR LIFE2024
REGISTRATION FOR LIFE2024 WINTER ACTIVITIES
Prices
(Read more about grants and other options for financial support.)
All prices exclude Finnish VAT 24%. For VAT exemption, you need to register as a representative/employee of a company or organization and during the registration, attach a tax certificate, trade register extract, or similar from your country. A screenshot/picture of a VAT-number or Erasmus-related OID (Organization ID) are also acceptable.
| Registration categories | Early bird fee (until 31 October 2023) | Standard fee (1 November – 31 December 2023) | Late/On-site fee (after 31 December 2023) |
| Normal | 660€ | 760€ | 860€ |
| Student* | 560€ | 660€ | 760€ |
| Accompanying person (spouse, friend, family member) | 190€ | 220€ | 250€ |
*Students: during the registration, you need to attach proof of full-time student status (ID card or letter from your institution or program director)
DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE FOR GROUPS OF 5 OR MORE PARTICIPANTS! Contact info@visitedufinn.com for more information.
Prices include (normal or student)
- Free 30-day access to Finnish Education Online Courses
- Admission to all sessions
- Event materials
- School visits
- Visit Santa Claus Village
- Certificate of attendance
- Possibility to participate in the optional workshop for LIFE2024 participants (additional fees apply)
- Possibility to participate in special winter activities designed for LIFE2024 (additional fees apply) – REGISTRATION
The meal package (190€ EXCL. VAT 14%) is obligatory and it includes:
- Five lunches and coffee/tea with snacks during breaks mentioned in the program
- Rovaniemi City Reception
- Farewell Dinner
Prices include (accompanying person – spouse, friend, family member)
- Rovaniemi City Reception
- Visit Santa Claus Village
- Ice swimming or sled slides
- Farewell Dinner
- Possibility to participate in special winter activities designed for LIFE2024 (additional fees apply) – REGISTRATION
Erasmus+ grant holders
LIFE2024 can be part of the Erasmus+ staff mobility, either a job shadowing experience or a course. VisitEDUfinn’s OID code is E10020922. Read more about the VisitEDUfinn’s Erasmus+ staff mobility opportunities. LIFE2024 is listed as a course in European School Education Platform.
Payments
Please choose your payment type on the online registration form. The options are
- Online credit card payment (Visa, MasterCard, American Express)
- Bank transfer (PDF-invoice). The invoice with the necessary information will be sent to you with the confirmation email. 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 annukka@visitrovaniemi.fi. If you do not cancel your participation at all, you will be charged the full fee. For cancellations received by 31 October 2023, the paid registration fee will be refunded. No refunds will be made for cancellations made after this date. Please note that a processing fee of 50€ (excl. VAT) per participant 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 Ms. Annukka Jarkko: annukka@visitrovaniemi.fi
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 refunding. However, participation is always possible, paying the normal fee (or the price difference).
In case the event is cancelled 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.
Any questions about the registration or payments? Please contact annukka@visitrovaniemi.fi
Frequently Asked Questions about Registration and Prices
Educational Experts
EDUCATIONAL EXPERTS IN ROVANIEMI
AULIS PITKÄLÄ
Aulis Pitkälä has had an exceptional career in the field of education. From 2012-2016, he was the Director General of the Finnish National Agency for Education.
Afterward, he worked as a Deputy Mayor of Education and Cultural Services in the city of Espoo. In 2017, he was awarded the honorary title for his distinguished career in education by the President of the Republic of Finland.
JUSSI KAINULAINEN
Jussi Kainulainen has extensive experience in the Finnish education system. He has working experience in primary and secondary education as a class teacher, SEN teacher, and vice-principal. Jussi has also been engaged with school administration as a Development Manager in the City of Kokkola and currently as Pedagogical Director here in Rovaniemi, supporting education in local schools from early childhood education until secondary education. In addition, Jussi has international working experience from, e.g., Namibia and Laos, where he worked for two years within United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). After Laos, he acted as Programme Manager with EduCluster Finland’s leading Education Partnership Program (EPA) in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Before relocating back to Finland and Rovaniemi, Jussi worked in Malaysia to improve education in Malaysian government schools.
PIIA ROOS
Piia Roos has long experience as a teacher and a leader in Finnish childcare centers. For the past 10 years she worked as a teacher in vocational college for practical nurses majoring in early childhood education. Her special interests are children’s perspective and participation.
HELJÄ MISUKKA
Heljä Misukka has had an exceptional career in the field of education. For the last ten years, she was the Director of Educational Policy and Executive Team member at the Trade Union of Education in Finland; before that, she worked as a Permanent Secretary to the Minister of Education. During 2015-2022, she was also a board member of Finnish National Agency for Education, and during 2013-2016, she was an Executive Board member at the Laurea University of Applied Sciences. Currently, she is the Executive director and owner of LovEdu.
LIFE2024 COORDINATOR AND FACILITATOR
SUVI KRISTA WESTLING
Suvi K. Westling is an expert on educational psychology with a broad view of education and a deep understanding of the human mind. She 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 in teacher education. She has worked as an expert in educational program design at an academic level as well as in several 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).
NOTE: Other experts and speakers will be confirmed later
Outdoor pedagogies workshop
Friday, February 2
AFTERLIFE EXPERIENCE – LEARNING THROUGH AND ABOUT NATURE
IMPORTANT! If you are attending LIFE2024 but did not book the workshop at the moment of your registration, you can still do it:
REGISTER FOR AFTERLIFE EXPERIENCE -WORKSHOP
➢Date and time: 2.2.2024, 9:30-12:30
➢Place: At an authentic Lappish environment
➢Group size: 15 – 50 persons
➢Price: 190€ (EXCL. VAT 24%) per participant
➢Trainer: Kimmo Tuunala
➢Booking: as part of the LIFE2024 online registration process
Benefits of outdoor learning are undeniable and the connection for
learning 21st century skills is strong. In addition, nature affects very
positively on well-being and strengthening the connection with
nature improves self-esteem and confidence. Why not to use it then more
in learning? This workshop gives you very concrete and experiental
methods for outdoor learning.
In this 3-hour hands-on workshop we have combined three different
elements in one package. You get
1. to experience Finnish nature education in the role of a student.
2. to learn about the Lappish lifestyle and survival skills needed in
an Arctic environment.
3. concrete tools to use in your work.
FACILITATOR
Kimmo Tuunala (M.Ed) is a class teacher, teacher trainer, environmental
educator and facilitator. He is a nature enthusiast and has carried out
nature-related lessons, theme days, camps and workshops for years.
With his team, Kimmo designs experience-based sessions that are closely
connected to Lappish nature, the wellbeing effects of nature, the
human-nature connection, sustainable way of living and survival skills.
Social Program
SOCIAL PROGRAM
Visit to the Santa Claus Village
Sunday 28 January at 13:30 – 17:00.
Transport from Scandic Pohjanhovi and back.
Price: Included in the registration fee for all attendees. Optional visit and ride in Husky Park for an additional fee of 35€ – 45€.
Rovaniemi City Reception and light dinner
Monday 29 January at 19:30 – 20:30
Rovaniemi City Reception in Rovaniemi City Hall (Hallituskatu 7). There is a 10-minute walk from the Scandic Pohjanhovi. LIFE2024 organizers will lead the participants to the City Hall and back to the hotel.
Price: Included in the registration fee for all attendees.
Farewell Dinner
Wednesday 31 February at 19:00 – 21:00
The farewell dinner is organized at the LIFE2023 venue Scandic Pohjanhovi in the city center.
Price: Included in the registration fee for all attendees.
Winter Activities
Sunday 28 January at 19:00 – 22:00
Tuesday 30 January at 19:00 – 21:30
Thursday 1 February at 14:00 – 17:00.
For both LIFE2024 participants and avecs/accompanying persons, we have organized an exclusive winter activity program in the surrounding areas of Rovaniemi. More information is in Winter Activities -tab.
Price: NOT Included in the registration fee for all attendees.
Winter Activities
WINTER ACTIVITIES
For both, LIFE2024 participants and avecs/accompanying persons, we have planned an exclusive winter activity program. To participate in these activities, please register before January 21, 2023, using the following links:
LIFE2024 WINTER ACTIVITIES (NOT HUSKY RIDE)
SUNDAY, 28 JAN
12:30 – 17:30 (time slot) Husky ride at Santa Claus Village (registration closed, fully booked)
Meet the genuine Siberian Huskies, enjoy the environment and get thrilled by the speed of the sled! Embark on a wonderful journey through the beautiful wilderness of Finnish Lapland on a husky-led sleigh. This adventure captures the charming spirit of the North. Glide through old, snow-covered forests, feeling the cool arctic breezes as you explore this winter wonderland. With every step of the hardworking huskies, feel the rhythm of the wild, showcasing the lasting charm of Lapland. This journey is not just a ride; it’s a close encounter with nature, a touching experience of the old wilderness that promises to leave your heart wanting more.
You can choose between two ride options, Jenga (500 m) and Tiny Quarter (2 km).
DURATION: A couple of minutes (Jenga) – 8 minutes (Tiny Quarter)
PRICE (Jenga): 35 € (adults) / 20 € (children 4 – 12 years)
PRICE (Tiny Quarter): 45 € (adults) / 30 € (children 4-12 years)
Max. 100 persons
SUNDAY, 28 JAN
19:00 – 22:00 Ice Restaurant Dinner Experience
What could be a more exciting start for your stay in the Arctic than a dinner surrounded by snow and ice?! Ice restaurant is located within the Arctic SnowHotel, a 30-minute drive from Rovaniemi. Before the dinner, SnowHotel’s guide will tell you about the construction, operation and special features of the SnowHotel during the memorable guided tour through the beautiful rooms of the hotel and arctic specialities, such as the snow sauna. At the end of the tour, there is a possibility to order a shot from the ice bar for an additional fee, served in a glass made from ice. The Ice Restaurant built of snow and ice provides a unique setting for an unforgettable dinner serving up hot Lappish delicacies savoured around ice tables. You can pick your culinary experience from four different menus: Elk, Chicken, Salmon, or Vegetarian Menu. Guaranteed to taste as good as it looks!
DURATION: 3 hours
PRICE: 139€ (adults) / 79€ (children 2-12 years)
Min. 5 persons – Max. 80 persons
TUESDAY, 30 JAN
19:00 – 21:30 Excursion to Aurora Borealis Camp
Discover the phenomena of the northern sky at our Northern Lights base. At the resort, you’ll find the Aurora Borealis theatre built inside a massive snow igloo, where a film and spectacular photos of the Northern Lights are presented. You’ll also have time to roam around the resort, take a brisk snowmobile sleigh ride, or can just lay back by an open fire admiring the northern sky. And don’t forget to enjoy the traditional reindeer burgers in the Kota teepee! With a little luck, the sky is clear and the moon, stars, and even the Northern Lights may show up. Transfer to the camp and back by bus.
DURATION: 2,5 hours
PRICE: 132€ (adults) / 66€ (children 4-14 years)
Min. 15 persons – Max. 46 persons
If the minimum number of participants is not met, you will have the opportunity to participate in Lapland Safari’s weekly departure at 21:30.
THURSDAY, 1 FEB
14:00 – 17:00 Snowmobile Safari to Reindeer Farm
Go on an exciting snowmobile safari to real reindeer farm! First you will learn about our Lappish culture and reindeer husbandry. Everyone who passes a reindeer-driving test will be issued an international reindeer driver’s license and you will have the possibility of participating in a special Lapp ceremony of crossing the Arctic Circle. Enjoy a cup of hot coffee or berry juice before returning back to town. NOTE! In this safari two participants share a snowmobile, single driver option available.
DURATION: 3 hours
PRICE: 181€ (adults) / 90€ (children 4-14 years)
Min. 10 persons – Max. 40 persons
IMPORTANT NOTICE: For all Winter Activities, you should be at the Lapland Safaris office located right in the center of Rovaniemi 30 minutes before the activities start.
LIFE2024 WINTER ACTIVITIES (NOT HUSKY RIDE)
Looking for daily activities for avecs/accompanying persons? Please contact directly the well-known operator Lapland Safaris: info@laplandsafaris.fi. They have plenty of amazing options for each day, and you will be taken care of by a very professional team.
Accommodation
ACCOMMODATION
LIFE2023 has two venues. Educa venue is Messukeskus in Helsinki. There are plenty of excellent options for accommodation in the city center or near Messukeskus.
In Rovaniemi, the venue is at Santa’s Hotel Santa Claus, and you can reserve a room there on the hotel website. The buses for the school visits also leave from that hotel.
Santa’s Hotel Rudolf is located 500 meters from the Hotel Santa Claus, and they share the same reception and breakfast restaurant. This is a more affordable option, but still very comfortable. Special prices for LIFE2024 participants (just tell the hotel that you are joining LIFE2024):
single room/ 135 EUR / night
double room / 141 EUR / night
triple room/ 171 EUR / night
Another highly recommended option is Forenom’s 3-year-old apartment building located only 100 meters from the venue. LIFE2023 participants will get a 10% discount using discount code VISITEDU10.
As January-February is the high season in Rovaniemi, we recommend booking your hotel room
quickly. All bookings directly to the hotel/hostel/apartment/igloos:
Want a unique experience that you will never forget?
Spend the last night of your trip in the SnowHotel or Igloo!
Other accommodation options in the city center
General Information on Rovaniemi
GENERAL INFORMATION ON ROVANIEMI
Rovaniemi is the administrative capital and commercial center of Finland’s Lapland.
The city is about 800 km north of Helsinki, the capital of Finland. In the past few decades, Rovaniemi has grown into a busy and active town with now more than 63,000 inhabitants. Rovaniemi is also the educational center of Lapland, and there are two universities located in Rovaniemi. The University of Lapland is the northernmost university in Finland and the European Union. Lapland University for Applied Sciences has its home base in Rovaniemi. The unique location of Rovaniemi on the Arctic Circle attracts more than 400,000 tourists each year from all over the world. Visit Rovaniemi‘s website for more information.
How to get there
Despite its northern location, Rovaniemi is well connected to the rest of the world. From abroad, it’s easiest to reach the city via a short flight from Helsinki. Daily flights between Rovaniemi and Helsinki are operated by Finnair throughout the year. In addition, more and more airlines offer direct flights to Rovaniemi.
Finnair
Norwegian
Train
For those who don’t wish to stay an extra night in Helsinki or Rovaniemi, a night train and sleeping compartment can be an interesting, exotic, economical, and sustainable option. There are two night trains available every day, and the trains during the daylight offer a good opportunity to see more of Finland. Visit VR for more information.
How to get from the airport/railway station to the hotels
Airport Express
This bus service from the airport to the city center and back drives to all the central hotels and the bus station in approx. 15 minutes for 7-12€ per person. Airport Express departs from the airport after every flight arrival. Check your hotel reception about the pickup time from your hotel back to the airport. For further information call +358 (0)16 – 362 222.
The railway station is located about 1.5 kilometers from the city center. There is no direct bus connection. The easiest way to get to the hotel is to either walk or take a taxi.
Taxi
Normal Taxi: The price from the airport to the city center is approx. 20€.
Finnish taxis are reliable and accept credit cards. The following taxi companies operate in Rovaniemi:
Rovaniemi Taxi Service
Taksi Rovaniemi
Menevä
Car rentals
All major car rentals have an office in Rovaniemi for those interested in traveling around the surrounding areas and Lapland by themselves.
Weather in Rovaniemi
In January-February, the average temperatures are around -11 degrees (Celsius). So have that in mind when choosing your clothing. For the winter activities, however, there is always proper clothing available for the participants. Please visit the Finnish Meteorological Institute’s website for updated news on weather in Rovaniemi.
Language
The official languages in Finland are Finnish and Swedish, but most people speak basic English. Those who work in tourism speak excellent English. The language of LIFE2023 is English.
Currency
The Finnish currency unit is the Euro. There are numerous cash machines (ATMs) open around the clock and they accept all major credit cards. In addition, 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 UTC/GMT+2
General Information on Helsinki
GENERAL INFORMATION ON 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!
Contact Information
For additional information about REGISTRATION AND PAYMENTS, please contact:
Visit Rovaniemi
Maakuntakatu 29-31
96200 Rovaniemi
Tel: +358 16 346 270
E-mail: annukka.jarkko@visitrovaniemi.fi
For additional information about LIFE2024, please contact:
VisitEDUfinn Ltd.
Ensi Linja 1
00530 Helsinki, Finland
Tel. +358 504 128 179
Email: info@visitedufinn.com
For additional information about the WINTER ACTIVITIES, please contact:
Lapland Safaris
Koskikatu 1
96200 Rovaniemi
Tel: +358 16 33 11 200
E-mail: info@laplandsafaris.fi
Suvi K. Westling is an expert on educational psychology with a broad view of education and a deep understanding of the human mind. She 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 in teacher education. She has worked as an expert in educational program design at an academic level as well as in several international organizations.
