Internship in Tampere, Finland

My experiences during the internship

My experiences during the internship were positive throughout. Right on my first day, I was welcomed most warmly, both by my mentor and by many other teachers. From the very beginning, I was given the feeling that people were glad I was there and were interested in me and my perspective. The entire time felt like a very warm welcome to me.During the four and a half weeks of the internship, I had the opportunity to accompany a wide variety of classes — in lessons, on excursions, as part of the preparations for a musical, during events in everyday school life (e.g., at a talent show or a dance break), … I was allowed to observe all the subjects that interested me, support the teachers in everyday lessons, ask questions at any time, try my hand at teaching, and even get a glimpse of the upper secondary level. In doing so, I learned an incredible amount about the Finnish education system and its pedagogical understanding, ways of teaching and learning, methods, and interpersonal interaction in the school context.The school grounds comprise a large school building, an asphalt schoolyard, and a small grove of trees with a playground for the youngest classes. Since the school is a Teacher Training School, it has an exceptionally large number of resources, both material and personnel. Numerous art, crafts, music, and woodwork rooms, three gymnasiums, several rooms with fully equipped kitchens, a cafeteria, a library, and an auditorium are all part of the school’s facilities. In this context, one should keep in mind that, as a Teacher Training School, this school has special resources at its disposal. In conversations with many teachers, it became clear that regular schools in Finland are equipped with significantly fewer resources.

My experiences with everyday life and leisure time on site

Since I was able to live right next to the school, my commute was of course very short. However, even with more distant accommodation, the way to school should not be a problem, as the city of Tampere has an extensive bus and rail network. In addition, numerous cycle paths are usable in summer. Publicly available bicycles can be rented inexpensively in many places and returned at other locations. The center of Tampere can be reached from the Nekala district within ten minutes by bus or bicycle.In my opinion, what makes Tampere so special is the following:Since Tampere lies between two very large lakes, the city and nature often merge directly into one another. This proximity and connection are, in my opinion, extremely impressive and enormously enhance the quality of life in this city. In Tampere, it is so easy to escape into the tranquility of nature and still enjoy all the benefits of a city!Because of its industrial history, its red brick buildings, and its towering chimneys, Tampere is considered the Manchester of the North. In my experience, the atmosphere of a working-class city is clearly palpable and gives the city a particularly individual charm.Tampere offers a comprehensive cultural program. You always find something!

My conclusion & tips

In conclusion, I can only say that the time of my internship was incredibly enriching for me and definitely represents a key moment in my personal development! I was able to learn so much, both professionally and personally, and I feel that I have grown enormously during this time. It is so worthwhile to step outside your own comfort zone! I look back on this time with a feeling of deep gratitude, and to this day I still light up, both inside and out, every time I think of the internship and the people I got to know and love during that time. The people I met in Finland were all really very open and friendly. Moreover, many of them speak very good English, which means that Finnish language skills are not necessarily required. I have also taken Tampere deep into my heart. Modern big-city flair combines with historical charm; old factory buildings, high-rise blocks, and typical Finnish wooden houses create an extremely varied cityscape; diverse sports facilities and cultural offerings, often freely accessible, provide the opportunity for a wide range of leisure activities; the city and its fabulous nature often merge into one another almost unnoticed; a pronounced sauna culture invites you to get to know Finnish customs; … In my opinion, simply a place to fall in love with. I would also like to recommend to everyone working in the field of education to really take an in-depth look at the Finnish education system. What impressed me most was the pedagogical understanding, which is characterized by trust in the students, in their sense of personal responsibility, and in the natural process of learning; by a focus on strengths and resources; by mindfulness and appreciation in dealing with oneself and others; and by support tailored to individual needs. I would like to thank everyone who contributed to this wonderful time!