2. Travel

Vaasa, Finland 2014

What makes the schools so wonderful in Finland? It all comes down to the national mindset about education. Because being well-educated is part of the national identity of Finland, it only makes sense that ALL students have access to the highest quality education possible. So, despite the fact that there is no standardized testing, very little homework, shorter school days and compulsory education in only grades 1-9, Finland continues to top the charts. And with free higher education, the learning rarely stops at grade 9. That's just "the way it is." We here in the U.S. could learn a lot...
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More interesting street names.
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More interesting street names.

  • The lab school associated with the Abo Akademi University. This building housed grades 1-9. In Finland, school is only compulsory through grade 9.
  • Untitled photo
  • Another shot of the lab school.
  • View of the town square from my hotel room.
  • The independence monument in the Vaasa town square.
  • One of the many choir performances I saw during my week in Vaasa. This group of students was doing a number from "The Lion King."
  • Untitled photo
  • The Masterpiece Quartet from Los Angeles. They are the current national champs of barbershop quartets. These guys were GOOD!
  • Vaasa church, with City Hall in the foreground.
  • Typical street name in Vaasa. Try to say THAT three times fast!
  • Train station
  • More from the Vaasa waterfront.
  • Craft, or sloyd, class at the university. All teacher education students must take sloyd classes, which include woodworking, textiles, and technology.
  • Textile class.
  • More interesting street names.
  • Spring was just sprung the week I was there.
  • Another shot of the Vaasa church.
  • City hall, with the water tower in the background.
  • This is the bridge that connects the mainland to the Kvarken Archipelago, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  • Lots of people have boats, for easier access to the Kvarken Archipelago.
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