In a significant step towards international professional development, eighteen educators from Hungary recently participated in a four-day Erasmus+ job shadowing mobility in Jyväskylä, Finland. The delegation, representing Nagykun Baptist Education Center and Illéssy Sándor Technical School and Vocational School, engaged in a comprehensive program organized by Experience Workshop. The focus of their visit was to explore the renowned Finnish vocational education system, with particular emphasis on mentoring students who require special support.
About the Program
The program offered a first-hand understanding of the Finnish education system’s structure and philosophy through an introductory lecture by Jukka Lehtoranta. The program was built around experiences within Finnish vocational schools, offering the Hungarian educators—specializing in catering, technical studies, and social work—a highly relevant view into their own fields. Their visit to Jyväskylä Educational Consortium Gradia provided a comprehensive look at a large urban vocational institution, allowing them to observe facilities, teaching methods, and student interactions across diverse disciplines.
The group had a native guide Ágnes Lak Losonc who provided a personal touch to the tour when exploring Finland.
A central theme of the mobility was the exchange of pedagogical methods for talent management and supporting special educational needs. The participants observed Finnish workshops and classrooms in action, paying close attention to how teachers engage students with diverse learning needs. Through presentations and open discussions with Finnish colleagues, they explored innovative support systems, effective strategies for students with learning difficulties, and proactive measures to prevent early school leaving. These conversations were vital for developing new approaches to student mentoring and retention.
The journey to the POKE Vocational College in Äänekoski, however, was a particularly great opportunity, presenting the future of vocational training. Renowned as one of Finland’s most innovative vocational institutions, POKE impressed the group with its innovative Digi Lab, a dedicated learning environment for future technologies like virtual reality, 3D modeling, and 360-content creation. The group observed how these advanced tools are integrated into practical education for startups and how collaboration with companies provide a revolution of technical and creative studies. The visit was made even more personal through an innovative inclusion effort: the Hungarian teachers were greeted with AI-enhanced videos of Finnish staff introducing the school in their native language.
Take a look at the visit shared by POKE Vocational College:
Finnish welcome made Hungarian with AI by teacher Pekka Ouli:
https://app.heygen.com/guest/videos/95a786ffc5fb45bb863c02499a3e372c-hu_hu-HU
The visit also highlighted the critical role of partnerships between education and industry. The Hungarian delegation learned how Finnish vocational schools integrate practical training into their curricula through strong collaborations with local businesses. A meeting with Antti Taivalmäki, a chef and trainee manager at Restaurant Revolution, provided a clear example of how students are prepared for real-world work environments. This brought valuable insights for improving trainee support and follow-up mechanisms in their home institutions.
The mobility concluded with a session of methodological reflection and certification at Crazy Town, allowing the group to consolidate their learning.
Cultural Activities
Outside of the classroom, the program offered intercultural and professional exchanges. From a sightseeing walk through Jyväskylä and a visit to the Alvar Aalto Museum to the shared experience of a traditional Finnish sauna at Könkkölä farm, the participants built lasting relationships with their Finnish hosts. These moments contributed to a collaborative atmosphere where ideas and good practices were freely shared.
Feedback from Participants
“I learned to pay more attention to personalized development and trust in my own practice, inspired by the Finnish system.”
“I gained practical ideas for digital tools and project-based learning that I can’t wait to integrate into my teaching.”
“It reinforced my belief that patience and a motivating environment enable more effective learning than performance-oriented pressure.”
“I became sure that trust and flexibility are the most important parts, not only in education but in our lives.”
“I will provide more space for individual development and the realization of students’ ideas.”
“My intercultural communication skills improved through discussions with colleagues from different backgrounds.”
“I plan to share these best practices with my colleagues to promote a culture of continuous development.”
“An exceptionally useful and motivating experience, the impact of which will be felt in the long term.”
“It was inspiring to see the calm and trusting atmosphere present in Finnish schools.”
“The experience broadened my horizons, increased my motivation, and inspired me to initiate changes.”
Photo credits: Nora Somlyody, Ágnes Lak Losonc, teachers of Illéssy Sándor Technical School and Vocational School, POKE
The job shadowing mobility was realized in the frameworks of the Erasmus+ KA1 programme.
Would you like to participate in a similar educational program?
info@experienceworkshop.org
+358452560420
