Aihearkisto: kotikansainvälisyys

GBS St. Gallen in Jyväskylä

Board  members of GBS St. Gallen from Switzerland have visited Jyväskylä Educational Consortium for two very  intensive days 24-25 August 2017. 

The visitors were given an extensive overview of the organisation, education system and all the development going on at the moment. GBS St. Gallen is since several years a partner for the media  sector (printing, photography). They are also one of the external partners in the KA2 project Commercialpolis. One of the concrete aims of this visit was to expand this cooperation to other fields and to the strategic level as well.

Amongst many other things the principals and managers of GBS St Gallen (name list below) were introduced to Finnish vocational teacher training,  development regarding digitalisation of both processes and learning, quality assurance, language teaching and guidance processes. Teacher training was presented by Harri Keurulainen, Hannele Torvinen and Tuulia Kiilavuori from JAMK Teacher Education College.

Thursday afternoon the visitors met with Principal Pirjo Kauhanen to discuss the organisational changes and the VET reform.

Friday morning was devoted to regional development and global partnerships presented by Director of Development Anu Tokila and Programme Manager Marleena Tuuri.

 

During the visit both parties found out that, although there are significant systemic level differences, there are a lot of similiarities on strategic level that can be advanced through cooperation between the two VET providers. In the more immediate future there is hope to work on issues around digitalisation as well as staff and student mobilities. We are expecting the first mobilities to take place during this school year from electrical engineering and hairdressing programmes.

Participants from GBS St. Gallen

  • Lukas Reichle, director of GBS
  • Daniel Kehl,  deputy-director of GBS, head of vocational education and training at GBS
  • Thomas Klement, head of the technical departement of GBS
  • Patrik Forrer, head of the school of design of GBS
  • Nicole Bauer, head of KSD – social care team of GBS
  • Jürg Pfeiffer, head of paedagogical advice and support team of GBS
  • Michael Andrist, head of IT at GBS

More information on the Commercialpolis project:

http://www.commercialpolis.eu/project/about-commercialpolis/ project

Picture credit: Daniel Kehl

More information: Rea Tuominen, international coordinator

 

Business students in Jyväskylä

kotikansainvälisyys, opiskelijaliikkuvuus, saapuvat opiskelijat

This spring has been very international in the business department of Jyväskylä College.  Since March we have hosted twelve students from Slovenia, Netherlands and Spain for three to ten weeks. Their programme has consisted of studies at the college and work placements in various retail shops around Jyväskylä.

Teacher Jaana Eirtovaara with Gladys and Sara at K Citymarket Seppälä.

Gladys, Sara, Claudia and Laura came from Malaga, Spain already in the end of March and will be staying until 5 June.  They have already been with us for a month and a half and Sara has learned a little bit of Finnish:  “I’ve learned a few words in Finnish like moi, kiitos, terveydeksi, hyvää päivänjatkoa, no nii, some fruits and some numbers.”  

When we asked them what have been the best moments during their stay so far Claudia said she enjoyed especially the tour of the town and the frozen lakes. She also likes the fact that Jyväskylä seems to be (and is) a very safe place.  For Sara working at  K-Citymarket has been the best part of the stay. She says that people who work there try to make you feel as comfortable as possible which is wonderful to hear.

 

Niels (right), Len (left) and Aniek are business students from ROC Friese Poort in the Netherlands. They are staying in Finland for a total of five weeks and have been doing their placement in Palokka either at KCM or KappAhl.

 

 

Len recommends packing a good pair of shoes suitable for walking.  Aniek very kindly call our hills mountains 🙂 which is understandable considering how flat the Netherlands is compared to Finland but it’s true, in Jyväskylä you need to go up and down hills when getting from point A to point B! This can be especially challenging in the beginning when riding a bike but also a good way to get some excercise in while commuting from accommodation to the college or work.

Larisa, Dani, Mojca, Aljaz and Tina were the last group to arrive from Nova Gorica, Slovenia. They have been on placement in Minimani and Prisma Seppälä. For Mojca placement in Minimani has been the best part. “I really enjoy working since it’s my first time working and I’m glad I had a chance to work in such an amazing place for the first time.”

We asked everyone our standard question: give three tops and tips (based on your own experience) to someone who is planning to come to Jyväskylä. How should they prepare? What should they do/see/visit/experience and this is what they had to say:

  • Learn some Finnish before coming, like ‘en puhu suomea’ just in case.  (You can do it   free online here http://www.uuno.tamk.fi/ or  here http://www.oneness.vu.lt/fi/)
  • The people here are very nice and friendly, if you need anything they will always help you. The only disadvantage is that not all people speak English that good, but you can still talk about basic topics.
  • Visit Kuokkala bridge around 11 p.m. because at that time the lights turn on and it is just beautiful.
  • You should also see the ski jumping hill Matti Nykäsen Mäki, go on top of it and enjoy the view over Jyväskylä.

Regarding weather the opinions are mixed. Some recommend bringing a lot of warm clothes (it has been the coldest spring in over 50 years) and others recommend to prepare yourself to feel warmer than you expected – it isn’t as cold as they say.

It’s been lovely to have you all in Jyväskylä and hope you have a safe trip back home when your stay with us is over!

More information Jaana Eirtovaara (at)jao.fi

Trainee teachers from Germany

kotikansainvälisyys, koulutusjärjestelmät, osaaminen

Who are you and where do you come from?
My name is Lisa. I am 30 years old and come from Darmstadt. I love music and traveling around the world to get to know different cultures. Before studying I worked as a hairdresser. I love the creativity of this job. Because of that I decided to become a teacher for the haidressers.

My name is Kathrin, I am 29 years old and I come from Frankfurt. Before I decided to attend the trainee teacher program, I studied “Social Work“. I worked in a bilingual kindergarten and an after school club for primary school pupils. During my studies, I spent an “Erasmus“ term abroad in Stockholm and worked for a social project in Buenos Aires, which definitely encouraged me to apply for the“Erasmus Plus Program“ in Jyväskylä.

I am Michaela, a 25 year old trainee teacher from Germany, living in a small town next to Frankfurt. Since September 2016 I teach the kindergarten teachers pedagogy and politics. Before that I studied social pedagogy and worked as a social worker in the kindergarten and later on in youth welfare services. I like traveling and getting to know new people and cultures.

My name is Janine, I am 38 years old and come from Kassel. I studied Business Administration and English. In my freetime I like spending time with my family and doing some sports like Yoga. I am interested in meeting people from different cultures and countries.

What are you studying?
We are trainee teachers at vocational schools in Germany. Our subjects are “Hairdressing“ and “Politics“ (Lisa), “Business Administration“ and “English“ (Janine), “Early Childhood Education“ and “Politics“ (Michaela and Kathrin).

What have you been doing in Jyväskylä?
We stayed three weeks in Jyväskylä and prolonged our stay with a cruise from Helsinki to St. Petersburg, Tallinn and Stockholm. During our stay we got to know the different campuses of “Jyväskylä AO“. We got a great overview of different programs related to our vocational subjects. We also presented the German school system to the students and teachers to compare similarities and highlight differences.

Trying to be typical Finnish, we went ice swimming! It was incredible and highly encourage it. The Finnish sauna afterwards was amazing! We also attended an ice hockey game, which we recommend. We also explored around the town, visited the Toivola Old Courtyard, went up the tower of Jyvläskylä and visited the church.

Do you think the time has been too short/long?
The length of time was exactly right. The program is mixed and well-organized which made the time fly by. It gave us a great overview about the Finnish school system from pre-school programs to vocational trainings and also the adult education training. Also the Introductions about the background of these programs where very helpful to understand the Finnish way of education. After school, especially in the evenings and on the weekends, we had plenty of time to explore Jyväskylä, with helpful recommendations of the teachers.

What have you learned during your stay?
In any case, all the Finish people we have met, left a great impact. They were all extremely friendly and helpful!

Concerning the vocational school, we realized that the school system is different to the German one. The main difference might be, that in Jyväskylä, they do a lot of practical work in school, whereas in Germany, most of the practical work is done at the workplaces. The hairdressers for example have their own client service at school or the practical nurses organized gym lessons for elderly people at school.

The practical nurse program is different to the kindergarten teacher program (Erzieherausbildung) in Germany. Finnish students get a great overview during their studies about working in child care, but also rehabilitation or dental care and working as a nurse for example. To become a kindergarten teacher, they have to continue studying at an university.

A big difference is also that Finnish students get free lunch at school!
Students at Jyväskylä College have a great chance to go abroad during their vocational programs, which the school encourages.

What have been the best moments during your stay?
We felt very welcome during the whole stay at Jyväskylä. Finnish people were cordial all the time. The teachers, the hosts, people in the streets and in the shops. They all were very helpful and made our trip great.

We saw nice places all around Jyväskylä as well, like old factories, shops and countryside.
At the hairdressing and beauty department we all were invited to enjoy a full-body-massage. It was an amazing experience to see (and feel) how independent the students of the first year were working.

We got to know a great overview of different situations of the schools daily routine. For example visiting elderly people and a kindergarten in the social and healthcare department or different workplaces in the business sector.

Also our weekends were very exciting. We stayed 2 days on a lake near Laukaa. We relaxed in nature directly at the lake while sitting in a hot tub and using a real Finnish sauna.
We also went to Lappland for 2 days to see Santa in the Christmas Village and some northern lights. Very impressing!

Give three tops and tips (based on your own experience) to someone who is planning to come to Jyväskylä.
1. Jump into frigid waters and ice swim followed by a traditional Finnish sauna!
2. Go to an ice hockey game!
3. Renting a cottage at the lake, equipped with a hot tub and sauna.
4. Dive into the Culture! Meet Finnish people, eat typical Finnish food and try local drinks.

More information: Rea Tuominen p.6159

Tourism Winter School

ECVET, kielitaito, kotikansainvälisyys, osaaminen, saapuvat opiskelijat

Who are you and where do you come from?

We are a group of six students from East Frisia in Germany. Our names are Angelina (24), Fenna (25), Nadja (27), Imke (23), Julia (23), and Deike (23).

What are you studying?

We are in the second and third year of a school for business administration with the subject tourism in Wittmund, Germany. We learn a lot about marketing, accounting and the management from companies, especially tourism companies like tourist information, bus companies or hotels.

Our school includes three work placements, each of them takes 6 months. We can collect many experiences in that time.

What have you been doing in Jyväskylä?

We were on a school for tourism and did many interesting things in Jyväskylä. The special attention was sustainability in other European countries, how to do tourism activities in bigger groups and how to act with problems while guiding a group. We did many winter sports like snowshoeing, fat biking and cross-country skiing. We were doing some sports we have not done before and we have collected great experiences.

How long have you stayed in Jyväskylä?

We were in Jyväskylä for two weeks. (11.03.-25.03.2017)

Do you think the time has been too short (why?), too long (why?)

It was a perfect time for winter tourism. The time was not too long or too short. It was very physical to do all the kinds of sports all day but in the two weeks we had the chance to do some sports two times to assure the skills.

What have you learned during your stay?

At first, we learned how to work in a group and of course the new sports. As a second aspect, we learned lots of the culture and the people in Finland. It was awesome to become friends with some classmates, to spent time with them and to be in another country.

What have been the best moments during your stay?  

The best moments were definitely the excursions to different places, the flexibility of the teachers and the program, the different kinds of sports and the people. Our class became more a class like before the trip and we are now a good team. The people we met were also great, they were so nice to us and it will be a pleasure to meet them again.

Give three tops and tips (based on your own experience) to someone who is planning to come to Jyväskylä. How should they prepare? What should they do/see/visit/experience?

  1. Visit the tower of Jyväskylä. You will have a great view of Jyväskylä and the lakes around the city.
  2. Go to an Ice-Hockey game. The spirit is incredible.
  3. If you have, the chance enjoy a finish sauna and go after it into the icy lake to cool down.
  4. On a nice clearly evening in the right time, you have to see the northern lights.

More information Timo Lehtonen and Hanna Syvälahti

Josef and Quirin from Germany

ECVET, kotikansainvälisyys, saapuvat opiskelijat

Two students from our MusicXchain partner school,  Neue Jazzschool mMchen e.v,  stayed with us for two weeks in March 2017 and answered some questions: 

Who are you and where are you from?
Josef Meixner from Germany

What are you studying?
I study Music. Main instrument is guitar.

What have you been doing in Jyväskylä?
I visited the Music Conservatory. Went to jamsessions in Poppari jazzclub. I was in a sauna and jumped into the lake.

How long have you stayed in Jyväskylä?
2 weeks. I arrived on March 12th and fly back to Germany on March 27th.

Do you think the time has been too short (why?), too long (why?)
I think 2 weeks are perfect because I have my final exams in June so it’s not good when I miss so many lessons.

What have you learned during your stay?
I learned a few songs in the jazzband workshop. In world music i learned many samba rhythm patterns. In music theory i transcripte songs. In my 2 guitar lessons i learned different ways in improvising.

What have been the best moments during your stay?
There were many good moments here in Jyväskylä. But one of my favorites was the jamsession were i played with Marian Petrescu.

Give three tops and tips (based on your own experience) to someone who is planning  to come to Jyväskylä. How should they prepare? What should they do/ see/ visit/ experience?
Buy good shoes because in winter you need shoes which don’t get wet inside. Go to a sauna and jump in a lake. You feel newborn after that. Eat typical Finish food. It’s very good.

**************************************
Who are you and where are you from?
My name is Quirin Schuhbeck and I'm from Munich (Germany)

What are you studying?
I study music, my main instrument is drums

What have you been doing in Jyväskylä?
I took part in an exchange programm for european music students.

How long have you stayed in Jyväskylä?
For two weeks

Do you think the time has been too short (why?), too long (why?)
I think two weeks are quite a good time to get to know a different school system. When it comes to forming a band and setting up a concert it surely takes a little more time to get to know the other players as well as possible.

What have you learned during your stay?
Some nice new songs with the Jazz -band-workshop, a lot about playing together especially in brasilian Samba music (world music workshop) and I have also had great lessons with Raimo the drum teacher.

What have been the best moments during your stay?
When we went to a jamsession and both got to know and play with Marian Petrescu. We visited a few fantastic concerts and the people around here are some really nice and cool guys, so spending time with them was kind of a highlight, too.

Give three tops and tips (based on your own experience) to someone who is planning to come to Jyväskylä. How should they prepare? What should they do/ see/ visit/ experience?
Go to sauna, to poppari club and climb up the the tower of Keski-suomen Luontomuseo (You have a breathtaking view over the city and surroundings of Jyväskylä)
One should also reckon with the sometimes capricious weather situation 😉 And it can get very slippery, too.

More information Markku Rinta-Pollari