Destinations · Europe
Finland
Finland's education system is among the most studied in the world, and it is open to visiting educators in Helsinki and beyond. A faculty-led course here lets students compare policy, teacher preparation and inclusion with their own schools.
Overview
Finland as a classroom
Finland has built its reputation on public schools that are free, locally run and staffed by teachers with master's degrees. Children start formal schooling at age seven, homework is light, and support for special needs is built into ordinary classrooms. Beyond education, the country is known for its innovation economy, strong welfare state and careful use of forests and lakes. Students can see how trust, equity and long-term planning shape public institutions.
ARAMFO has run faculty development programs in Finland under the Teacher Leader Fellowship on innovations in education and on the special needs education system, as well as business and entrepreneurship seminars on Finland's economic dynamics. Every faculty-led course is customized to the professor's syllabus and travel dates.
Good to know
- Language
- Finnish and Swedish are official; English is widely spoken.
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- Best season
- Late May to September; March for the school year and winter scenery
- Typical length
- 10-14 days (customizable)
Highlights
What students will see and do
- Helsinki Central Library OodiOpened in 2018, this public library offers maker spaces, a cinema and meeting rooms alongside its book collection.
- SuomenlinnaThe sea fortress on islands off Helsinki is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a living neighborhood.
- Finnish schoolsComprehensive schools offer a model of equal access, teacher autonomy and integrated support for students with learning needs.
- Temppeliaukio ChurchThe Rock Church in Helsinki is carved directly into solid bedrock and lit by a skylight dome.
- Finnish sauna cultureSaunas are a part of daily life in Finland, and UNESCO has recognized the tradition as intangible cultural heritage.
- LaplandRovaniemi and the region north of the Arctic Circle show Sámi culture, northern ecosystems and the effects of a changing climate.
Faculty-led travel courses
Courses that fit Finland
Professors build their own syllabus; ARAMFO arranges the visits that bring it to life.
Education & Teacher PreparationStudents could study Finnish teacher education, national curriculum design and the role of trust and autonomy in schools.
Early Childhood & Special EducationA course could examine Finland's tiered support model for learners with special needs and its early childhood education and care.
Business & EntrepreneurshipStudents could study Finland's innovation economy, startup ecosystem and the role of public funding in technology and design.
Geography & Environmental StudiesA course could look at sustainable forestry, lake and archipelago ecosystems and climate change in the Arctic north.
Programs
ARAMFO programs in Finland
Programs ARAMFO has run or published here. Each can be adapted into a faculty-led travel course for your own students, on your dates.
On the ground
Academic and professional visits
Visits are chosen with the professor to match the course. ARAMFO also arranges flights, housing, meals, local transport, guides and entrance fees.
- Primary and secondary school visits with teachers and principals
- Meetings with national education agency and policy staff
- University teacher education department seminars
- Vocational college and innovation hub tours
Get started
Plan a course in Finland
Tell us about your course and we will reply with a draft itinerary and cost.
More destinations
Other destinations
Countries where ARAMFO has run or published faculty-led courses and faculty development programs.
