TESTIMONIALS
TESTIMONIALS
TESTIMONIALS
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FINLAND + Scandinavia AND THE BALtics:
A History of Deliberate Effort to
Leave No Child Behind
JUNE 2023
FINLAND: The Country of Educational Innovation
Global Education Allies invites all interested educators to Finland and Estonia to explore the educational systems that have astounded many with their top performing scores, while employing an approach to schooling that some call “unorthodox”. Finnish and Estonian schools are known for their high levels of trust and equity, lack of standardized tests, long outdoors recesses, minimal homework, shorter school days, and minimal pressure to perform. The Finnish school system has been in the limelight ever since the first results of the PISA surveys (conducted every three years by the OECD) put Finland at or near the top in reading, math, and science. Estonia is emerging fast and is now a leader in digital learning and cloud-based educational infrastructure.
This educational excursion will give participants an inside perspective and the opportunity to observe the Finnish education system on many levels, ask questions of experts, and make connections with local K-12 educators and administrators. The program is open to all interested educators and their guests. Non-educator guests will be considered based on availability.
PROGRAM INFO
Program participants will work directly with Finnish and Estonian educators in establishing lasting partnerships with local schools, while also discovering the rich history and culture of the Baltic region.
Participants in the main program will:
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Visit a variety of Finnish schools and the University of Helsinki to learn why Finland ranks among the highest in the world in education
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Enjoy an in-depth cultural family dinner experience in the home of a Finnish educator
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Meet many Finnish educators to exchange ideas and create classroom-to-classroom and/or school-to-school partnerships
Cultural Highlights
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Explore a state-of-the-art educational nature center at the Nuuksio national park
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Visit the Design District, the famous Farmers Market, and the Suomenlinna island fortress (a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Helsinki)
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Experience a traditional Finnish sauna on a lake
All full-time educators and administrators, as well as student teachers, may apply. All participants may have the possibility of bringing 1-2 guests, depending on space availability.
PLEASE SCROLL DOWN TO FIND PRE AND POST-TRIPS TO SWEDEN, ESTONIA, AND NORWAY!
DETAILS
SWEDEN &
THE ESTONIA
WHO
All interested GEA ALUMNI and friends are encouraged to apply. Non-educator guests will be considered based on availability. An additional fee of $150 for non-educators will be charged to cover additional expenses.
WHEN
Main Finland Program:
JUNE 17th - JUNE 23rd (6 nights)
WHERE
4 nights in Helsinki
2 nights at a Finnish lake resort in the forest
PACKAGE OPTIONS:
Option 1: Finland + Sweden and Estonia pre-trip package, JUNE 12th-17th (12 days): $2950 (savings of $150)
Option 2: Finland + The Arctic post-trip package (Norwegian and Finnish Lapland and midsummer celebration), JUNE 17th-23rd (12 days), $3150 (savings of $150)
Option 3: Entire package: Finland + Sweden and Estonia + The Arctic (Norwegian and Finnish Lapland and midsummer), JUNE 12th-June 28th (17 days): $4290 (savings of $360)
Educators are allowed to apply with a guest on their Scandinavian adventure. Guests will be allowed if spaces are available. An additional fee of $150 for non-educators will be charged to cover additional expenses.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Shared accommodations, most meals and program activities (including educational visits, sightseeing and entrance fees), local transportation and transportation (including flights) between programs are all included in the selected program price.
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
International airfare to Northern Europe, airport transportation to and from our meeting and ending locations, some meals, travel insurance, add-on or upgrade options that may be selected (including single rooms) or any covid-related testing costs are not included.
APPLICATION TIMELINE
Priority consideration: January 1st
Final deadline: March 1st (if spaces are still available)
The early consideration deadline is January 1, 2023. Those hoping to do the Lapland (Norway and Finland) post-trip are encouraged to apply by this date. The post-trip price may increase for late applicants, as prices of flights increase.
The final deadline is March 1. ZOOM interviews will be held January through March and all selection decisions will be made by March 15th, 2023. A non-refundable program deposit of $250 for each leg of the program will be required upon acceptance. The program balance (including any pre- or post-trips), must be paid in full by June 1st, 2023.
Zoom interviews will be held through mid March and all selection decisions will be made by March 15th. A program deposit of $250 per trip leg (refundable in case of Covid) will be due upon acceptance. Program balance must be paid in full by July 1st.
WHY PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT FINNISH EDUCATION
"Finland’s experience shows that it is possible to achieve excellence by focusing not on competition, but on cooperation, and not on choice, but on equity."
-Pasi Sahlberg
THE ARCTIC (NORWEGIAN & FINNISH
LAPLAND)
COVID STATEMENT
It’s a new world of travel and GEA is ready to navigate it safely and comfortably with our participants and partners in mind. We believe the benefits of travel outweigh the risks - when appropriately managed. GEA will be doing everything to navigate the situation on all our summer 2023 programs and to help everyone feel secure and comfortable. This means we may sometimes go above and beyond safety protocols in the US and abroad. There are also many ways you can personally manage a safe and happy travel experience and GEA will help remind you along the way.
we reserve the right to change the itinerary in consideration of Covid-19 and other unforeseen circumstances.