Second-year students Kangze and Kourosh: “The best part is the school’s spirit”

Kangze Wu and Kourosh Rahbarjou are second-year students at the Etelä-Tapiolan lukio upper secondary school. Both are very satisfied with the spirit at the school.

Kangze Wu and Kourosh Rahbarjou are in their second year at the Etelä-Tapiolan lukio upper secondary school, also known as Etis. Kangze came to the upper secondary school from the Tapiolan koulu secondary school and Kourosh from the Espoo International School. “This upper secondary school is located near my home. I’d heard that Etis has good matriculation examination results and high-quality teaching. Many of my friends also go here,” Kangze says.

Good matriculation exam results also drew Kourosh to Etis. Since he had attended an English-language elementary school, he had thought about applying to IB. Then he went on a guided tour of Etis. “The school’s good spirit was mentioned a lot. Even the teacher said that upper secondary schools was the best time of their life. If that’s the case, I think you should spend that time in a school with a good spirit,” Kourosh says. Kourosh’s home is more than an hour away from the school. He doest not mind this, as the time passes fast when he shares the journey with his friends who also go to Etis.

Kangze and Kourosh both praise the spirit at Etis. You can feel the good atmosphere in the school hallways. “It’s everywhere, 100%. No matter in which year you are, all students belong together,” Kangze says. Kangze tells how, after first year of upper secondary school, they gathered at a friend’s house for a barbecue and to talk about how everyone had experienced their first year of upper secondary school. “At Etis, everyone is an important part of the school.”

The various activities of the upper secondary school strengthen the school’s spirit. According to Kourosh and Kangze, the best moment of their upper secondary school journey until now was the school’s own football tournament. The tournament did not focus on students’ previous football background or experience; it was about having fun. “We also have activities such as chess and drama clubs where you can meet other students.

Kourosh and Kangze say that students are included in the tem spirit from the very beginning. First-year students had a camping trip and peer supporter students organised for them an evening where they could play different games and get to know each other.

The spirit and students’ ability to cope are also supported by the table tennis and billiards tables in the school lobby as well as the coffee machine. The student union contributed to their acquisition. “You can get to know new people through games. The games also give you energy for the next class,” Kangze says.

The teachers at Etis get a lot of praise. They get students excited about learning. At the beginning of upper secondary school, Kourosh had challenges with the Finnish language, because he had completed comprehensive school in English: “The teachers gave me lists of terms in English and Finnish. If necessary, they also explained things in English. This was not required of them, but they really want to ensure that all their students learn,” Kourosh explains. Kangze and Kourosh praise how relaxed and friendly the teachers are. You can talk to teachers about things like movies and life.

Kangze says that teachers clearly feel the responsibility to teach their students. No one needs to feel guilty if they do not know something. Etis has a place called Laskuliiteri where students can receive remedial teaching in maths and physics. “There students can also help each other,” Kourosh and Kangze say. The study atmosphere at Etis is such that students want to do their best and do not hesitate to ask for help. “Teachers give tips on how students can improve their work, not just quick assessments of whether something went well or badly.”

At Etis, students can expand their world view by going abroad. Kourosh is interested in a trip to Rome, where you can learn more about ancient history. Kangze was on a history course that included a trip to Tallinn. The students got to explore an apartment museum and a bastion. “It’s nice to travel with the school to places you would not otherwise be able to visit.”

Second-year students still have plenty of time to think about their plans for the future. However, Kourosh already has an idea. He is very interested in the aviation sector. “I want to be a pilot, either in the Finnish Air Force or an airliner. Another interesting profession in the aviation sector is engineer,” says Kourosh. Kangze’s plans are still open, but mathematical and natural science topics and history are of interest.

Kangze and Kourosh have advice for ninth-graders: “Apply to an upper secondary school with a good spirit. Enjoy your three years of upper secondary school. Do what you want to do so that when you are older, you won’t have any regrets.”