From upper secondary school to the world – how an inspiring exchange programme will take Edith from Finland to Wyoming
Edith Oinonen is a second-year student at Espoon yhteislyseo Upper Secondary School (EYL). “I was planning on applying to an entirely different school, but then I participated in a presentation arranged by EYL. It was really good, and the school’s communal spirit and international aspirations seemed really exciting, so I decided to apply here instead,” says Edith. The good public transport from Veikkola in Kirkkonummi also played a part in her decision.
Edith has been impressed by her upper secondary school’s good and relaxed atmosphere. She is particularly pleased with its international options. “We’re given a lot of different opportunities for travel. For example, some of the students recently visited the Åland Islands and Iceland.”
Environmental responsibility and collaboration across the Atlantic
Edith herself will be leaving in May next year for Jackson, Wyoming, for a 10-day visit to Jackson Hole High School. During her trip, she will stay with local families. The trip is part of the Transatlantic Classroom programme, which includes EYL and Otaniemi Upper Secondary School, with four students and two teachers participating from each school.
The Transatlantic Classroom is an exchange programme arranged by the Finnish National Agency for Education and the U.S. Embassy in Finland. It is aimed at upper secondary schools, to supports collaboration and mobility between Finnish upper secondary schools and U.S. high schools. Its primary objective is to increase the international aspirations of its participating schools while providing other benefits, such as developing students’ English language skills.
For EYL and Otaniemi Upper Secondary School, the project aims to strengthen their students’ environmental responsibility and global agency. Before the trip, the Finnish students will get to know each other during a visit to Nuuksio National Park, and they will prepare a presentation on their trip to their counterparts in the United States. The participating students from all schools will introduce themselves and present their natural parks and sites in advance on an online platform.
The students from EYL and Otaniemi will learn in advance about topical issues related to conservation – such as the EU’s Biodiversity Strategy, restoration, the protection of old-growth forests and environmental legislation – as part of the Sustainable Future courses organised jointly by Otaniemi and EYL. In addition, before their trip, the students will familiarise themselves with English-language literary texts related to the environment and nature in the English Literature and Creative Writing course arranged by EYL, where they will write both creative and non-fiction texts about nature in English.
“I’m fairly interested in environmental matters. But while I’m concerned and worried about climate change, I don't feel like I can have an impact on any environmental issues, except on a personal level,” Edith explains.
“For me, the most important aspects about the programme are its international approach and the opportunity to gain new experiences – but the focus on environmental issues is also a good plus!”
Protecting the environment at national parks
During the trip, Edith and the other students will visit Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park, as well as other public lands. Park Ranger Jeremy Barnum from Grand Teton National Park will lend his expertise at a remote event for planning the visits to the parks in Wyoming, and he will also lead the excursions themselves. Their park visits will involve a host of activities, such as canoeing.
At Jackson Hole High School, the Finnish students will participate in environmental and English lessons. During the visit, Jackson Hole High School will host an event for the environment together with participating American students.
However, the theme of the trip will not end after the students’ visit is over. The materials collected during the project will be utilised in a 3D exhibition that will be arranged in honour of Earth Day, so that everyone can take a virtual trip to the national parks in Wyoming and Finland. This experience will help young people appreciate biodiversity in a new way.
Looking forward to next spring’s Senior Ball
Before her trip to the U.S., Edith will participate in another traditional highlight for every Finnish upper secondary school student – the Senior Ball. She is already looking forward to her dance: “I have a dress, and I even have a dance partner, so it’s all looking good so far!”
Many comprehensive school pupils often feel intimidated by the nuances of upper secondary school, such as test weeks and being responsible for their own timetables. According to Edith, however, these fears are misplaced: “You’ll be told everything you need to know at the start of your first year. And each course includes a textbook and material review, which makes preparing for the test week a lot less stressful.”
Edith has the following advice to everyone who is unsure about where they want to head after the end of their comprehensive schooling: “Don’t be afraid of looking at different upper secondary schools, and remember to trust your intuition!”
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