Our school has recently embarked on a journey of participating in international projects aimed at enhancing educational experiences, promoting cultural exchange, and building global partnerships. In just two years, we have taken significant strides in fostering academic growth and international cooperation. Below is an overview of our ongoing and upcoming international initiatives for the 2024-2025 academic year:

1. Short- & Long-Term Individual Student Mobilities (Erasmus+)

• Overview: We are facilitating 16 reciprocal one-month student exchanges with partner schools in France, Germany, Austria, and Spain. These exchanges offer students immersive experiences that contribute to personal and academic growth.

• Objective: To provide students with unique opportunities to live and study in a different country, broadening their perspectives and enhancing their global awareness.

2. Science Camp to CERN & ITER, France/Switzerland

• Timeframe: November 2024

• Details: A specialized science camp that includes visits to the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Geneva, Switzerland, and the ITER experimental nuclear fusion reactor in Caradache, France.

• Objective: To give students a deeper understanding of advanced scientific research and the future of energy production.

3. Group Mobility to Aix-en-Provence, France (Erasmus+)

• Timeframe: April 2025 for our visit; Fall 2025 for their return visit

• Details: A collaborative initiative with St. Eloi High School focusing on energy production and sustainability. Ten second-year students from our school will join ten French students for a joint program.

• Objective: To encourage cross-border cooperation and share ideas on sustainable practices.

4. Ireland Study Trip

• Timeframe: May 2025

• Details: A joint English language and culture study trip for Alppila Upper Secondary School and Helsinki School of Natural Sciences. The itinerary includes Dublin, Galway, Belfast, and the Giant’s Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

• Objective: To enhance English language proficiency and deepen students' understanding of Irish history and culture.

5. Rožňava, Slovakia (Erasmus+)

• Timeframe: February 2025 (hosting Slovak students); April 2025 (our students' visit)

• Details: A reciprocal exchange with Gymnasium Pavla Josefa Šafarika, where students will stay with host families and engage in local school life and cultural activities.

• Selection Criteria: Good academic standing, punctuality, regular class attendance, respectful behavior, and a cooperative attitude.

• Objective: To build long-lasting international connections and cultural understanding.

6. Copenhagen, Denmark (Nordplus)

• Details: Part of the Nordplus program, which promotes cooperation across Nordic and Baltic countries. Students will visit Copenhagen, followed by a return visit to Helsinki.

• Objective: To strengthen and promote Nordic languages and cultures and encourage cultural exchange among students.

7. Shanghai Study Trip

• Timeframe: Spring 2025

• Details: A study trip linked to the Social Studies unit YH05, focusing on exploring Chinese culture and strengthening cross-cultural understanding.

• Objective: To provide firsthand insight into Chinese society, fostering global awareness and broadening students’ worldviews.

8. Paris, France (Erasmus+)

• Timeframe: Spring 2025

• Details: A study trip to Vincennes, France, focusing on the theme of Agenda 2030. This collaboration includes a reciprocal visit and an eTwinning project as part of the GE01 course.

• Objective: To emphasize sustainable development and engage students in activities that promote environmental awareness and global responsibility.

9. Job Shadowing and Erasmus Courses (Erasmus+)

• Details: Teachers will participate in job shadowing and Erasmus courses aimed at enhancing their professional development, learning innovative teaching strategies, and fostering international collaboration.

• Objective: To enrich teaching practices and contribute to the quality of education through exposure to diverse educational systems and methodologies.

10. International Ambassadors Program

• Details: A group of students dedicated to promoting internationalism and language skills will help welcome international visitors to our school. Their efforts will be recorded in the students’ Activity Pass and supervised by a teacher.

• Objective: To encourage students to take an active role in hosting international guests, develop leadership skills, and act as ambassadors of our school’s international ethos.

Overall Goal of Our International Engagement:

The aim of our Erasmus and international activities is to actively involve students and teachers in global learning, fostering a sense of international citizenship and responsibility. These initiatives are designed to strengthen student participation in their education and encourage them to contribute as active citizens, both locally and globally. By participating in diverse international projects, students not only enhance their academic and personal development but also experience meaningful engagement that empowers them to take ownership of their learning and actions. Through these experiences, our school enhances educational quality, promotes sustainability, and deepens cultural understanding, preparing students to be proactive and responsible members of an interconnected world.

Thanks to the Erasmus+ program, we had the incredible opportunity to host seven students from France, Germany, Austria, and Spain for a one-month visit in November 2023. Immersed in the rich cultural tapestry of our host families, each day was a vibrant exchange of traditions, languages, and experiences.

Their presence enriched our lives in countless ways, fostering lifelong connections and deepening our understanding of diversity and unity. We invite you to delve into their inspiring testimonies, each one a testament to the transformative power of international exchange.

Read their testimonies here!