🇬🇧 4C Explorers: Greece Meets Finland
Angela Giaklou
Some journeys are simply about travelling to a new place. Others transform the way you view school, learning, and the role of the teacher. Our trip to Raisio, Finland, as part of the Erasmus+ project “4C Explorers: Greece Meets Finland,” was exactly that kind of journey.
For one week, students and teachers had the opportunity to experience a different educational system firsthand, collaborate with Finnish students, and participate in activities that brought the four key 21st-century skills into practice: Communication, Collaboration, Critical Thinking, and Creativity.
From the very first day, we were impressed by the atmosphere of the school. Students moved around the school independently and calmly, collaborated naturally with one another, and actively participated in activities without pressure or tension. The school felt like a community built on trust, where students felt both safe and responsible.
The activities we observed and carried out were experiential and collaborative in nature. Students worked in teams, created presentations using Canva, participated in STEM activities by designing and building bridges, played mathematics games, collaborated on cultural projects, and communicated in English in an authentic and meaningful way.
Particularly noteworthy was the way technology was integrated into learning. It was not used merely as an impressive tool, but as a natural part of the educational process. Students were already familiar with digital tools, worked independently on their laptops, and created digital content with confidence and responsibility.
At the same time, we observed the importance placed on student well-being within the Finnish school system. The learning spaces were carefully designed and highly functional, relaxation areas were available, and students had access to counsellors, psychologists, and school nurses. Daily school life appeared to be based on balance and respect for students’ individual needs.
One of the most memorable aspects of the programme was the joint activities involving Greek and Finnish students. Through group projects, games, creative workshops, dance, and music, students were able to communicate, collaborate, and build shared experiences despite linguistic and cultural differences. It was inspiring to witness how easily cooperation and creativity could bring together young people from different countries.
Naturally, this experience was not viewed as a comparison or competition with the Greek educational system. Rather, it served as a source of reflection and inspiration. We returned home with ideas that can be adapted to our own educational context: greater learner autonomy, movement-based activities, creative uses of technology, meaningful project-based learning, and a stronger emphasis on student voice and participation.
Most importantly, however, we were reminded that a school can simultaneously be a place of learning, creativity, collaboration, and joy.
Erasmus+ gave us the opportunity to open our school to Europe, exchange ideas, build meaningful relationships, and return enriched with new experiences and inspiration.
And perhaps that is ultimately the most valuable lesson of every educational journey.
