PROGRAM
In Teacher Job Shadowing, you can choose the dates that are the most convenient for you. However, considering the Finnish school year and the holidays, Teacher Job Shadowing is only available between September 1st – December 15th and January 15th – May 15th. In Estonia, the available dates are September 15th – December 15th and January 15th – May 15th.
However, please note that there are certain periods and holidays in during the school year 2024-2025 when job shadowing is not possible:
- Autumn holiday (in the Helsinki Metropolitan area): October 14 – 18
- Spring holiday (in the Helsinki Metropolitan area): February 17 – 21
- National holidays: December 6, April 18, April 21, May 1
Additionally, there is no job shadowing in high schools during these periods:
- Autumn: September 9 – 30; November 18 – 27
- Spring: January 27 – February 4; March 10 – April 4
Our standard program includes three job shadowing days in the same kindergarten/school. Additional days or visiting more than one educational unit are possible for an extra fee.
DAY 0:
Briefing session, introduction (approx.. 1,5 hours)
DAY 1:
School visit (approx.. 5 hours), our host takes you to the kindergarten/school
DAY 2:
School visit (approx.. 5 hours), self-guided
DAY 3:
School visit (approx.. 5 hours), self-guided, wrap-up session (approx.. 1,5 hours)
Optional: visiting a different school
Note that in the Helsinki metropolitan area the one-way travelling time from the city center (central railway station) to the school can take up to one hour using public transport.
Timetable
School days start normally at 8 or 9 am and end at the latest at 3 pm. The job shadowing timetable depends on the teachers you and your colleagues are shadowing. Please consider that, especially in a primary school, the school days are short, 4-6h/day. If your plan requires more working hours, we offer online courses to complement the schedule.
Networking with Finnish and Estonian colleagues
Finnish and Estonian teachers are willing to share their thoughts with you, but it is good to bear in mind that they are often busy; the next lesson (or at least its preparation) can start immediately after the previous one. There will certainly be suitable moments during the week for Q&A and informal discussions. But, we want to be sure that you get undivided time with a Finnish or Estonian education expert, and for this reason, the program includes two separate meetings for in-depth discussions.
Group size and special wishes
You are welcome alone or with a group of colleagues. If you are more than 5 teachers coming together, then we will split you into different schools. We always try to find the best match according to your background (age group, particular subjects, special education, language immersion etc.), but it is not always possible to fulfill all wishes. The earlier you register, the more likely we are to find a school that is just right for you.
Schools, teachers, and pupils are all different, but they all welcome you wholeheartedly
The job shadow experience is created through interaction and is always slightly different, there is no ready-made formula. An adventurous spirit helps to make the most out of it!
“The destination Finland is very attractive as far as it concerns education, so I had the possibility to understand such a success observing it, talking with students, and comparing my practices with those in use in Finland. The outcome is plenty of new ideas and methods to get students more involved in the topics”
“The experience from every point of view was educational, interesting, and stimulating, not only from the point of view of personal training but because it gave me the possibility of connecting with many people and with different ways of doing school that opened my cultural and professional horizons.”
All registrations must be done using the online registration form. Accepted methods of payment are credit card and bank transfer. After the payment, we will choose and book the school(s) for your shadowing experience.
Our ambition is that job shadowing is always well-planned and a good experience for both: visitors and host schools. Therefore, we hope you register at least 2 months before your visit dates, to leave us enough time for the arrangements. For last-minute registrations (less than 60 days prior to the arrival), we charge an extra 100€ per participant.
If you have problems or questions about completing the online form, please contact us at info@visitedufinn.com.
REGISTER FOR TEACHER JOB SHADOWING
Prices
(Read more about grants and other options for financial support.)
All prices exclude Finnish VAT 25,5%. 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.
The prices for Teacher Job Shadowing are:
990€ for one participant
1290€ for two participants
1590€ for three participants
After that, 200€ for each additional participants up to 10 participants. For groups bigger than 10, ask for a quotation by sending an email to info@visitedufinn.com.
- An obligatory lunch package, 30€/person, is added automatically at the checkout. You will enjoy a warm and balanced school lunch with local teachers and pupils.
- If you want to visit a different school during your stay, the extra charge is 100€ per participant.
- After three shadowing days, the additional days cost 50€ per participant and per day.
- Teach in a Finnish or Estonian School, a new add-on service, is available for 490€ per participant
- For a guided cultural programme, don’t hesitate to get in touch with info@visitedufinn.com.
Prices include
- Free 30-day access to Finnish or Estonian Education Online Courses
- Introduction to the Finnish or Estonian education system (1h)
- Three job shadowing days in Finnish or Estonian schools
- Transportation on the first visit day from your hotel to the school, other jobs shadowing days are self-guided
- Wrap-up session with an expert from VisitEDUfinn
- A Success Story book
- Assistance for visitors when needed (timetables, transportation, cultural program, etc.)
- Telephone service 24/7
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 client 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 info@visitedufinn.com. If unable to attend, the registered person may be substituted by someone else from the same organization by sending a notification to info@visitedufinn.com. In case of a cancellation after the payment, the amount paid to date remains as a cancellation fee.
Cancellation by VisitEDUfinn
In case the shadowing 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€ will be deducted as an administrative fee.
Frequently Asked Questions about Registration and Fees
TEACH IN A FINNISH SCHOOL
“Teach in a Finnish School” is an exclusive, three-day add-on extra service for participants of the Teacher Job Shadowing program, offering a deep dive into the Finnish or Estonian educational system within the same three-day visit.
This service starts with a day of observation, where educators immerse themselves in the Finnish or Estonian classroom environment, followed by a reflective meeting to discuss insights and prepare for hands-on teaching. On the second day, participants develop and submit a lesson plan showcasing their best teaching practices, which is then refined with feedback from a Finnish or Estonian educator, ensuring alignment with Finnish or Estonian educational principles. The finale is a day of teaching, allowing participants to apply their strategies in a real classroom, capped off with reflective feedback to integrate Finnish or Estonian pedagogical values into their own teaching styles.
Completing this program not only provides educators with a richer understanding of Finnish or Estonian educational excellence but also awards them a unique certificate acknowledging their direct teaching experience in Finland or Estonia. With a fee of 490€ per person, this immersive experience promises significant professional development, making it an invaluable investment for educators committed to innovation and excellence in teaching.
READ MORE
FINNISH OT ESTONIAN EXPERT
SUVI KRISTA WESTLING
Ms. Westling is our primary coordinator and host/guide for Teacher Job Shadowing. She 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 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).
CULTURAL PROGRAM
We suggest you give yourself plenty of time to enjoy the wonderful experiences and cultural opportunities Finland has to offer before, during, or after your visit. We are happy to organize a customized cultural program before/during/after your shadowing days, having one of our education professionals as your host/guide.
If you prefer to discover the city on your own, below are some useful links.
What you can do in Helsinki, Finland:
What you can do in Tallinn, Estonia:
ACCOMMODATION
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.
TALLINN, ESTONIA
Whatever your budget and taste, you can be sure to find a suitable accommodation in Tallinn.
The best districts of Tallinn to stay in are 1) Toompea (Old Town), 2) All-Linn (Old Town), 3) Kalamaja, and 4) Kadriorg.
You can choose your accommodation in this page.
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 transportationoptions; both the railway and bus station 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 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)
TALLINN, ESTONIA
How do I get from Tallinn Airport to city Centre?
Buses 20 and 20A go to the city centre from in front of Terminal D. Tickets can be bought with a contactless payment card on board (€2) or the ticket machines located at the A and D terminals (€2).
5 seasons
In addition to the traditional four seasons, some areas of Estonia also have a fifth — the natural flood — beginning at the end of March or early April. Water levels can rise as much as five meters, creating possibilities for canoeing.
Weather in Tallinn
Summers are moderately warm (the mean temperature in July is 16 – 17°C) and winters are moderately cold (the mean temperature in February is between -2.5 and -7°C). lease visit the Finnish Meteorological Institute’s website for updated news on weather in Tallinn.
Wild orchids
With the high time in June, 38 blooming species of orchids have been counted. The richest area of orchids is Saaremaa where 36 of them can be found. The area has even its own orchid called Saaremaa dactylorhiza.
The language
About 1.1 million people speak Estonian, one of the world’s smallest official national languages. It is used successfully in all areas of society. Estonians also speak a variety of other languages…as well as English, Russian, Finnish and German.
Love for culture
By culture consumption, Estonia is one of the leading countries in Europe. Our 1.3 million inhabitants make about 3.4 million museum visits, 3.5 million cinema visits, 2 million concert visits, and 1.2 million theatre visits annually.
