Alajarvi, 19-25/1 2020
Mobility in Finland was based on teaching students successful storytelling methods upon stories in Kalevala. Prior to mobility each school got a special task-a part of Kalevala story that students needed to adapt and enrich with it´s own intangible heritage elements together with drawings and photos. Of course that meant that every student had to read Kalevala story and get to know elements of Finnish culture. Based on the material Finnish school made a digital book that was presented to all students and teachers during the mobility.
Also, students had opportunity to take part in storytelling workshop in cottages far away from wi-fi and modern life. That was also an opportunity for them to try ice-fishing, walking on frozen lake, sauna and ice-swimming and picknick under the open sky. That night we could also see Aurora Borealis for a few minutes even though it is not so often in part of the Finland the mobility was organized in.
Alajarven ylakoulu is a well organized school with excellent furnished Home economics classrooms. Teachers and students of other partners countries were impressed by all that they offer to students. During whole morning students prepared different Finnish food that was later offered at the Meet and Eat Festival were students, teachers and parents gathered to an cultural exchange. All the students and teachers involved got an apron made on a workshop during the mobility as a gift.
Getting to know more about Alajarvi was organized by using Actionbound application and making a Treasure Hunt game through the town. That was the occasion to visit library, hockey arena (and to try skating), bowling room and other open and closed spaces. At the end of the day students were very satisfied. Students also had the opportunity to visit different very well equipped classrooms: for example music rooms and art classrooms. They were living witnesses how Finnish education system prepares students for life providing students possibilities to gain new skills and not just theoretical knowledge. This mobility was also an opportunity to visit Helsinki and Tampere, two big Finnish cities. Except the ordinary cultural heritage places as cathedral, Rock Church and city centre, in Helsinki we visited OOdi, one of the most modern world libraries where people can use and fully enjoy space to make music, read, watch films, make new clothes, use 3D printer, make presentations etc. This library is called “the biggest Finnish living room” and it truly is.
