Photo Credit : Shuana Niessen
An Exchange student from finland reflects on her educational journey
Jenna Balk is an exchange student from the University of Eastern Finland . She is in her final year of a 3-year B . Ed . degree , taking three courses at the University of Regina .
“ Snowy and great ” are the two words that Jenna chooses to sum up her time here in Regina as an exchange student from Finland .
Jenna started her Bachelor of Education program in 2012 at the University of Eastern Finland ( UEF ), located in the city of Kuopio , close to the Russian border . Jenna is in her final year of a 3-year program , and and will transition directly into a 2-year master ’ s program . As a teacher in Finland , she is required to have a master ’ s degree .
Jenna knew from an early age that she wanted to be a teacher . She started school at the age of 7 , attending an elementary school in her home community for Grades 1-4 . She then moved into secondary school . While in secondary school , as part of her workplace experience , she spent two years working in an elementary school . Jenna says , “ I knew I liked teaching before I even started high school .”
After secondary school , Jenna could choose to go to high school or professional school . Jenna says , “ High school used to be the route students chose if they planned to go to university , but now students can enter university whether they take high school or professional school .” Thus , Jenna says , “ more students are choosing the professional school route so that they can gain a vocation before going to university .” Jenna chose the high school route , however , where she studied psychology . “ In Finland ,” Jenna clarifies , “ high school marks do not count towards university entrance . Post-secondary candidates must pass an academic , multiple choice exam , and then they are interviewed and given a group task to see how well they work together with others ." Postsecondary education is publicly funded in Finland , so anyone can attend , but candidates must go through a rigorous entrance process , and the number of seats open are based on professional and labour force demands .
When Jenna graduated from high school , she travelled for a year before going to university . After travelling , she knew she wanted to do an exchange program . Thus , Jenna says , “ I looked up the exchange options and took extra classes my first and second years so that my program wouldn ’ t go longer .” It was difficult to find an exchange program , “ because programs are quite specific and not all universities take exchange students ,” Jenna explains . But then she found the International Student Exchange Program ( ISEP ),
By Shuana Niessen
which gave her the option of going to Canada , to one of four universities . Jenna says , “ I looked into the Canadian universities where I could study both English and education . I chose the University of Regina because I could study both English and education , and I had more options ( not just 100-level courses ) to choose from .” Jenna is glad she came , and recommends ISEP to other students . The process of applying took a year , but ISEP managed some of that process and set up accommodations for her in Luther College dorm . Living in the dorm was good because it helped her to make friends . “ If I lived off campus , it would have been hard ,” says Jenna .
A highlight for Jenna while at the U of R was a road trip to Edmonton and Banff with a group of friends . She also enjoyed her EPSY 400 ( Working with Diversity and Difference ) course with Instructor Carrie Dutkiwch . “ There was lots of discussion , and many students sharing from their own experiences . Now I can take students with special learning needs into better consideration .”
Jenna still has the travel bug and wants to travel more after she finishes her master ’ s program . “ I want to see the world . I like to learn different cultures ; you have to actually live in a country to learn more ,” says Jenna . The exchange has been beneficial for Jenna . As the only foreign student in her education class , she says , “ I have realized my own socialization process is different than others . And , I can be more empathetic when someone has trouble with language , because I ’ ve experienced that .” �
Faculty of Education Education News Fall 2014 / Winter 2015 Page 11