Day 3: Meeting New Faces

Waking up and New Adventures 

When waking up on day three I did not want to get out of bed, the jet lag was still hitting hard. Evidently I wasn't the only one as there were a few group members still late to our 9:20 meet up. From the hotel the majority of us took a bus to the Tikkarinne campus of Karelia University however a few members decided to use the free bikes that the hotel offers this along with the electric scoters that you can rent across Joensuu is a great example of environmental sustainability. Once arriving we got to meet a few members of the university's business academy. They took us on a short tour where we asked loads of questions on the school itself, Finnish culture, and sustainability. From there we ate food in the cafeteria. The food selection varies each day and the hot meal is only available at certain times, however there is a small selection of snacks and drinks that are available 24/7.

A Karelia notebook that was given to students

New Ways to Learn
After lunch the Finnish students led us through a dialogue. This is where teams of students discuss and debate different topics. In their school systems these teams consist of the same people throughout several years of schooling. They meet once or twice a week and it allows them to build communication skills, problem solving skills and so much more. I personally really enjoyed this dialogue and I feel as if it would be an environment that I could learn in. At one point we separated into different groups to discuss team learning in Finland vs Canada and the pros and cons of each. My group went to this amazing study area. It was a soundproofed room with comfy chairs, tables and white boards to make learning and communication so much easier. We passed other single use study areas and smaller group rooms on the way there and they all looked to promote comfort and concentration while. Most study areas were soundproofed which allows for noise while not bother others making a great socially sustainible study area. One other thing I valued when doing the dialogue is that we sat in a circle. This was not done only for the fact that it allows for a better flow of communication but to symbolize that no one is above another, not even the professors or as they are called in Finland coaches. 


Eating and Group Bonding

Once we were done on campus some of us went our separate ways to walk, bike or scooter back to the hotel. I ended up walking and on our way back we explored some stores in a shopping center. I stopped for pizza as I was starving and then we made our way back to the hotel. Even though I personally had already eaten, I joined the rest of the group that went to eat at Friends & Brgrs, a really good burger place that we found on our first day. After hanging out for a bit I went to sleep to try and get a good night's rest for our early morning tomorrow.


#GlobalSkillsCA #CompétencesMondialesCA #Finland # Adventure

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