December 2nd, 2023

The collaboration with the students from Embrun, France, kicked off in earnest on Thursday, although the students had already gotten to know each other through communication services for a couple of months. We initially worked on the theme of well-being at school, and afterwards, under the guidance of our counselor Hannele, we visited Oodi. Oodi, celebrating its 5th anniversary next week, is indeed a prime promoter of well-being!

La collaboration avec les étudiants d'Embrun en France a vraiment démarré jeudi, bien que les étudiants se soient déjà rencontrés via des services de communication depuis quelques mois. Nous avons travaillé initialement sur le thème du bien-être à l'école, puis, guidés par Hannele, nous avons visité Oodi. Oodi, qui fête ses cinq ans la semaine prochaine, est vraiment un promoteur du bien-être par excellence !

The sauna is a haven for relaxation, providing an opportunity to connect with others and engage in meaningful conversations. Löyly stands out as a modern and luxurious public sauna with a cozy atmosphere. It boasts three distinct saunas: a smaller, more intimate private sauna that can be booked for events, a smoke-heated sauna, and a larger, more spacious traditional Finnish sauna.

The sauna offers various health benefits, including detoxification, stress management, and relaxation. Following a stress-relieving session in the warmth of the sauna, it's a delightful experience to take a dip in the icy yet invigorating waters of the Baltic Sea. Ice swimming, for instance, contributes to mood enhancement and improved blood circulation. You can also pause your sauna experience by savoring a refreshing drink by the fireplace and engaging in conversation with fellow visitors.

December 8th, 2023

On the last morning, the exchange group focused on project work before enjoying a fun afternoon activity: ice skating at Tapiola Ice Garden. The project work will continue in January when Finnish students, in turn, head to the French Alps to experience student exchange life.

Le dernier matin du groupe d'échange a été consacré au travail sur le projet avant une activité joyeuse l'après-midi : du patin à glace au jardin de glace de Tapiola. Le travail sur le projet se poursuivra en janvier, lorsque les étudiants finlandais se rendront à leur tour dans les Alpes françaises pour goûter à la vie d'étudiant en échange.

January  25th, 2024

Bonjour! Terveisiä Ranskasta! Greetings from France!

The highlight of our Erasmus+ exchange project is the study trip to the Alps. Some students stay with host families, while others stay at the school's boarding facilities. The first day was short because in France, Wednesdays are either completely free or only last until lunchtime, which may not be ideal since the other days have school until 8 am - 6 pm (!). We explored the village of Embrun (population 6,500), which was an important religious center in medieval times. In addition to the cathedral from the 14th century, the small village had no less than 7 churches. Many of them were destroyed, but fountains were always built in their place. Embrun's small medieval center only expanded in the 1960s when the new artificial lake began to be utilized, and tourism began to flourish: in the summer, activities such as sailing and surfing are available, while in winter, there is skiing and snowboarding. Embrun has the driest and sunniest climate in the area, which is why it has earned the nickname "The Nice of the Alps". Sunglasses are definitely needed.

January  29th, 2024

Bonjour!

Each student spent the weekend with their host family. Some of them lived here in Embrun, while others came from farther away. This is why they stay in the school dormitories during the week.

The weekend program included attending the Monte Carlo Rally, which was taking place nearby in Gap, as well as rock climbing, skiing, shopping, and indulging in local delicacies.

* The weekend was spent skiing on the sunny slopes of the Alps and enjoying Fondue Bourguignonne!

* We climbed a mountain.

* We visited Gap, where we went shopping and watched rally cars.

* We went to see the Monte Carlo World Rally and got to see one of Gap's most famous celebrities: Sebastien Ogier.

* We went shopping in Gap and explored Embrun.

* On Saturday, we went skiing in the beautiful landscapes of Les Orres ski resort. In the evening, we enjoyed raclette with the host family's relatives, and it was lovely to join them for dinner.

* We spent the weekend shopping, having coffee with friends, sunbathing, and swimming.

* We visited Marseille to admire the scenery and do some shopping.

* On Saturday, we went for a walk by the lake with the host family. On Sunday, we went skiing.

How does sauna affect health?

Sauna is very prevelant and important in Finnish culture. (It was inscribed as UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage in 2020.)Saunas have also many health benefits

Health is a “ Complete stage of physical-, mental- and social health not only the absence of diseases infirmity” for the World Health Organisation in 1946.