Fulbright Finland is a organizational powerhouse. This foundation supports and coordinates so many programs, exchanges, and learning opportunities. The most recent events included three events in one week. I am continually amazed at how this team does it all! To learn more about their programming, see: https://www.fulbright.fi/en.
Last April, when I learned that I was coming to Finland on a Fulbright, I also knew that I would be sharing my project at the March Fulbright Forum 2019: Education, Innovation, Science and Art at the University of Helsinki. Therefore, for several months I have been thinking about how to share my inquiry project with the broader Fulbright group. As it turned out, I knew most of the audience by the time we met in Helsinki, and I enjoyed the opportunity to talk about what I have learned so far about Finland’s basic education program.
Our group from the US this semester consists of Fulbright Scholars who are teaching and working at Finnish universities, graduate students in various disciplines, and Fellows who are pursuing research for their doctoral programs. Fulbright Finland also welcomed the first cohort of Fulbright Leaders for Global Schools for ten days, so I met ten US school administrators who are also eager to observe and learn about the Finnish educational model.
Finally, and most importantly, my fellow US Fulbrighter from Denver, Celine, visited on an Inter-Country Travel Grant in order to share her experience with pathways for adolescents as they pursue high school and look toward the future. We had a wonderful week together, and she talked to counselors in my city of Jyväskylä to share US perspectives and practices. In just a few months, we will both be back in the American West, so hopefully we can keep sharing and moving ahead with our new learning.
Leslie Baker's Fulbright Journey to Finland 