Education and sustainability are mutually reinforcing; leading to supporting healthy livelihoods for people in stable societies. A community which puts its resources into both educational development and sustainability promotes a balance between environmental harmony, cultural diversity, spiritual well-being, and economic stability, creating a unique sense of place. The Finland Study Abroad focuses on the connections between education, sustainability, culture, and place.
The program will start on campus for approximately five weeks and will travel abroad in Finland for approximately seven weeks. The program will conclude back on campus in Elsah for the remaining weeks of the semester. Students will leave this abroad program with an understanding of how Finland operates educationally, sustainably, and how a sense of place and cultural identity connects the two. Students will learn firsthand why Finland is ranked number one in each of these areas on a global scale and how to transfer new insights and ideas gained from their experience abroad back to their home communities.
The program will offer classes from the Educational Studies Department and Sustainability Department. Classes from the Special Studies course offerings in the catalog will be taught as well. Two of the classes will be taught by professors both on campus before traveling abroad and also by “dropping in” on location for a shorter amount of time.
This program is open to all students.