More Before I am Finnished...

Our day started with several presentations at the Kauhajoki Technology Centre. It is now very clear to me why Finns are so efficient, technological, and entrepreneurial. There are all these companies that provide business services for all areas and stages of a business. Today we also learned about companies that provide IT systems for businesses so that they can collect and analyze data about various aspects of their business and look for ways to improve. From car washes to potato farms to trucking companies, there is a system for everyone! No wonder there is so much industry in Finland. Finnish entrepreneurs are well supported.

We also visited Done Logistics Oy. This is another company that produces automated machines to complete tasks in a workplace. Our host Pekka showed us a video of how some of these automated systems work. These machines that are packaging things like food and paper products are truly amazing!


We were also amazed to hear that our host Pekka takes part in 4 hour rowing events! Here is a picture of Pekka with his rowing team. I have got a lot of work to do this summer at the lake if I want to keep up with him!







Our day also included a tour of the Museum of Finnish Parliment. During World War 2, it was too dangerous for the Finnish parliment to meet in Helsinki. After much consideration, Kauhajoki was chosen as the secret parimentary meeting place. Kauhajoki was chosen because it was a small town located in the midst of the thick forest. The Finnish parliment met secrety in the school building for 10 months. The room where the meetings were held has been restored. One of the original artifacts is a graham cracker box that was used as voting box. Here I am casting my vote!






My favorite part of the day was our visit to Suupohja Vocational School. Once students are finished Grade 9 in Finland, they have the choice to go to highschool or vocational school. The school we visited today was a vocational school. At this school students can enroll in a variety of programs that concentrate on practical skills. For example, students can learn about agriculture, hair dressing, welding, computers, business, videography, and so on. There are very few to no behavior problems with the students that attend this school and it is easy to see why. Students in these programs (ages 15 to 19) are engaged in practical hands on work in an area of interest to them. It takes approximately 3 years to complete the courses and the 24 weeks of work experience. Then students will leave with a diploma or certificate in their area of specialty before entering the workforce, applying to a Univeristy of Applied Sciences, or writing the matriculation exam necessary for entrance into the academic universities. Below is a picture of Gailmarie sitting in the area where students would learn about broadcasting.






Another interesting education tidbit is that in schools, students call the teachers by their first name. There is no use of Mr. or Mrs.


This evening we attended a rotary club meeting where we gave our presentation. Then we each returned to our host families for the evening. I am enjoying my new host family. They are very interested in international ballroom dancing and I have already attended a practice session for some pointers. One of my hosts organized and was one of the pros for the Kauhajoki Dancing with the Stars. He is definately a Dancing Engineer and a Entertrainer!