Global Learning 24-25

Ireland

May 2025

Study Trip to Ireland, Spring 2025

This spring, students from Helsingin luonnontiedelukio and Alppilan lukio joined forces to embark on an unforgettable study trip to Ireland as part of the ENA8.Dublin course. The journey was filled with enriching cultural experiences, breathtaking scenery, and countless learning opportunities.

Exploring Dublin and Beyond

The week-long trip included guided tours of Dublin's historic landmarks, such as Trinity College, Kilmainham Gaol, and the Jeanie Johnston Famine Ship. Students also explored the beautiful coastal village of Howth, where stunning cliffside walks left many in awe. In addition, there were memorable day trips to Galway on the west coast and to Northern Ireland, where students experienced the dramatic landscape of Giant's Causeway and crossed the thrilling Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge.

Learning Through Experience

The students gained much more than just knowledge of Irish history and culture. Many commented on how the trip helped them build independence, time management, and social skills. The freedom to explore on their own allowed them to form stronger bonds with fellow students and meet new friends from both schools.

“The best part of the whole trip was having a small vacation to wind down from school, recharge my batteries, and use English all the time,” Aaryan reflected.

“I never felt bored, and I loved the balance between free time and guided tours,” added Casper.

Unforgettable Memories and Lasting Friendships

The social aspect of the trip was highlighted by many students. For some, it was a chance to meet new people and deepen existing friendships.

“The best aspect was definitely getting to know the other students in beautiful places. It was also nice to have a little freedom to go shopping or explore on our own,” said Leevi.

“The trip has created everlasting memories, new friendships, and strengthened trust with one another to a higher level,” Aaryan summarized.

A Journey Through History and Language

Dublin's rich history came alive during the guided tours, sparking interest even in those who hadn’t previously been drawn to historical studies.

“I learned a lot about Irish history, which we often overlook in the Finnish curriculum, and which was really fascinating for me as a history student,” shared Aada M.

“I feel like I could write a whole essay about it!” added Lumi, who was surprised by how much new vocabulary she picked up along the way.

Perfect Weather and Stunning Scenery

The weather played its part too, with sunny skies throughout the week, making the visits to Howth, Galway, and Carrick-a-Rede even more enjoyable.

“We got really lucky since the weather was fantastic. I enjoyed Howth the most; the views were absolutely amazing,” Lotta said.

“Galway had some really wonderful views, and the seawalk was the best thing there,” added Daniel.

Looking Forward to the Next Adventure

The ENA8 study trip once again proved to be an enriching experience, combining learning, exploration, and personal growth. Both Helsingin luonnontiedelukio and Alppilan lukio look forward to continuing this unique collaboration, giving more students the opportunity to broaden their horizons and strengthen their English skills in real-world settings.

“The trip was well-organized and allowed us to get to know everyone on the trip. I would recommend this course to anyone interested in improving their linguistic skills in English,” concluded Aada F.

Shanghai 24-25

May 2025

This spring, the students of the YH05 China Project had the incredible opportunity to spend a week in Shanghai! A year ago, our Chinese friends visited us here in Finland, and now it was our turn to experience life in their city.The trip was truly unique! Students got to explore Shanghai's rich food culture, experience local daily life and school environments, and visit some of the city's most iconic landmarks!

Beyond just learning, the trip was also about building connections and making new friends—not only with the Chinese students but also strengthening bonds within our own group.

The students themselves described the journey as unforgettable—a week filled with discovery, friendship, and memories that will last a lifetime.

Partner school: https://xnwy.xhedu.sh.cn/cms/

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Hellu Students in Shanghai 2025

Written by: Vilena Suslov, 23I

Our trip to Shanghai was filled with new experiences. I have personal experience with the Chinese language, and Chinese culture has been close to my heart since childhood. So, it was particularly exciting to finally see everything with my own eyes. Even from the airplane window, it was clear how enormous Shanghai truly is.

We visited the Southwest Weiyu School, where the school day starts as early as 7:40 am. Their daily routine is quite different from Finnish schools. Every morning, students gather outside for a flag-raising ceremony, and mobile phones are locked away in cabinets for the entire day. The school day ends at 4:45 pm, and during lessons, the focus is entirely on education. Although their approach differs from ours, the students were friendly and curious about us.

On the second day, we visited the KONE factory. KONE is a Finnish company that manufactures elevators, and Shanghai is home to one of its major production sites. We learned about KONE's global operations and its significant influence in the industry.

We also visited the Oriental Pearl Tower, a massive and iconic structure standing 468 meters tall. The breathtaking view from the tower spanned the entire city. From up there, we could clearly see how different Shanghai is compared to Helsinki—towering skyscrapers, the vast Huangpu River, and even taller buildings nearby. The view was truly impressive.

The food culture was quite different from what we are used to in Finland. Breakfast often consists of warm dishes like steamed or fried dumplings and noodles. Dinner is the most important meal of the day, bringing the whole family together around the same table.

We got to taste many new flavors, and some of them were surprising. I tried things like fried eel, sweet water chestnut jelly, and century eggs preserved in a special way. There were also more exotic options available, such as frog legs and fried pig tails.

We also visited the Finnish Consulate in Shanghai, where we learned about its operations and its role in supporting Finns living in China. It was interesting to hear about the work of the consulate and all the different tasks involved.

The trip was filled with new experiences, and although we walked a lot and the days were exhausting, it was all worth it. This was an unforgettable experience that will leave a lasting impact for the rest of my life. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be a part of it.

Greetings from Denmark!

February - March 2025

In February, a group of students from Hellu visited Vibenshus Gymnasium in Denmark as part of a study trip. During the visit, the students examined water samples collected from both Finland and Denmark. Using advanced techniques such as ePCR and morphological analysis, they studied fish species and their distribution across different water bodies.

Throughout the study trip, the students had the chance to connect with Danish students, learning not only about local culture but also new biological methods for handling DNA. In smaller groups, the students worked together with their Danish peers to create posters showcasing the findings and topics explored during the visit.

The trip, partly funded by Nordplus, was a fantastic opportunity for international collaboration and hands-on learning in the field of biology!

Partner school: https://www.nextkbh.dk/gymnasier/vibenshus-gymnasium/

Shanghai 25-26

January 2025

A Week with Shanghai Visitors: Unforgettable Memories and New Friendships

In January 2025, 15 students and 3 teachers from Shanghai arrived at Hellu! They spent a week with us, staying in the homes of Hellu students.

The first day with our guests went brilliantly! Hellu students truly showed their best sides—students chatted together, helped each other out, offered assistance, took responsibility, warmly welcomed the visitors, created a positive atmosphere, encouraged the shyer ones to participate, played games, entertained guests in the cafeteria, and even cleaned up after enjoying a huge amount of pizza and freshly baked cinnamon buns.

Exploring Helsinki and Learning Together
The rest of the week was filled with attending classes, visiting museums, and spending quality time together. Even in less than a week, we managed to experience so much! The Chinese students participated in lessons, visited the National Library, and explored Helsinki's landmarks, including Oodi, Senate Square, and the Rock Church.

We also visited Halosenniemi, the Lotta Museum, and Ateneum, tried bowling, and ended the week with a delicious meal at a Chinese restaurant.

Farewell for Now, Until We Meet Again in Shanghai
Last Sunday marked the departure day—emotional goodbyes, but we are all richer with unforgettable memories! ✈️ Now begins the long wait of over a year until the Hellu hosts make their return visit to Shanghai in spring 2026!

A huge thank you to everyone involved, especially the host families! ❤️ The experiences, friendships, and lessons learned will surely last for a long time.

Partner school: https://xnwy.xhedu.sh.cn/cms/

Read more on the project blog!

Field Trip to Tallinn - Exploring Tourism Geography

December 2024

On Tuesday, December 3, 2024, the Tourism Geography (GE07) students took a field trip to Tallinn. Despite the sleet coming down horizontally, the group stayed warm thanks to a hearty breakfast buffet on the Tallink ferry, an intriguing visit to the Viru Hotel and the KGB Museum, the festive atmosphere of the Old Town, and, of course, some shopping with friends.

A big thank you to everyone who joined the trip and made it a memorable experience!

Celebrating Cultural Diversity

October 2024

In October, we celebrated the richness of different cultures. During lunch, students had the opportunity to take part in a culture-themed Kahoot quiz, taste and buy traditional dishes from various cultures, and join workshops where they could learn the basics of the Finnish folk dance katriilli or try out henna tattooing.

The day culminated in a cultural parade, where we admired beautiful and colorful national costumes, accompanied by music and dance performances representing different cultures.

It was a joyful celebration of diversity, bringing the whole community together to appreciate and learn from one another's traditions and backgrounds.

First Global Challenge 2024 - Robotics Competition in Athens

October 2024

The international First Global Challenge 2024 robotics competition took place in Athens on October 24. This prestigious event brought together teams from 179 countries, showcasing the innovative spirit and technical skills of students from around the world.

Representing Finland, the team consisted of three talented students from Hellu and two from Otaniemi Upper Secondary School. The Finnish team demonstrated impressive problem-solving and teamwork, achieving an outstanding 27th place in the global ranking—a remarkable accomplishment considering the fierce competition.

Congratulations to our Hellu students for their hard work and dedication! 👏🤖 Your success on the international stage makes us proud!

Photo credit: Simo Naatula

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