Studying in Finland is very different from studying at our school. Compared to Finland, every day looks about the same in Slovenia. When we arrive in the classroom, we sit at the school table and listen to the theory. In Finland it is completely different. Their classroom is a kind of workshop. There they perform various practical tasks and exercises. They have simulators, manual, warehouse and electric forklifts as well as a loading lift, and different types of trucks and tractors with different attachments (fork, snow plow,…) and many other things. I was able to try out quite a few activities. From the beginning, we got a feel for driving a forklift on simulators, but shortly after that they set up a training ground for us and we overcame obstacles with a warehouse forklift.
The students there are dressed in bright yellow work clothes and wear work shoes. To distinguish the professor from the student, they wear bright orange work clothes. They said that this is a kind of security measure, because if there is any accident, it is easier to spot the professor. After three years of schooling, students have a lot of knowledge in the practical work. By studying at this school, they can also obtain the truck licence. During the last four weeks, I was able to test myself in many things. For the first time, I drove a warehouse forklift, maneuvered a loading lift and also drove a truck. Since there was quite a lot of snow, I had the opportunity to drive the tractor with the attached snow plow.
