You know the saying (in Slovenian) … “you have such a big leg, you could walk on water” … and so we did … on the Baltic Sea, frozen but still counts. Our Finnish practical lessons, prof. Teemu, took us to experience a Finnish adrenaline sport … ride on the icey Baltic Sea.
We drove with a Toyota C-HR, knowing that on a snow or frozen surface, a car with an internal combustion engine is better than an electric car … “you feel this adrenaline better,” he said.
Before driving on the ice sea, he gave us some safety instructions; we unfastened our seat belts and opened the car windows a little so in the case of sinking we would have a better chance of getting out of the car.
He told us, that many Finns have their weekend houses on the sea, however they are not allowed to have electricity and running water or even living in them for a longer period, “such are the rules”, he said and showed us his temporary holiday house.
We drove to a bar nearby where they have a traditional Finnish KARHU beer, which in Finnish means bear. He gave us car keys and left us to experience “drifting” on our own. We turned off the electronics and tested the handbrake, which worked excellent … and the show started …
Tired of driving and all the adrenalin, prof. Kranjec was the one driving us back. Prof. Teemu suggested a visit of the branch restaurant of Vamia Educational Center managed by the students.
In the restaurant we digged in a salad bar and tried a non-alcoholic beer brewed by student. I must admit it was delicious, nice on the eye and stomach … the satisfaction lasted until afternoon when we were hungry like wolves again.
After lunch, we discussed about the school program. Prof. Teemu said that the “Car Service” program in Finland lasts the same as in Slovenia, with a small difference that the 3 + 2 Car Service Technician program does not exist, students continue their education directly on the selected faculty that lasts four years.
I see as a great advantage the fact that the program gives huge emphasis on practical work, besides that, students here work more independently and autonomously. The professors assign them a task and only supervise them, at the end of the lesson they check whether the task has been successfully completed. The words of prof. Teemu where, “I completely trusts them”.
I’m enthusiastic about the implementation of educational programs in Finland, the approach of professors, the openness and innovation of the system to the acquisition of new knowledge.
Finland is beautiful… despite the low temperatures and abundance of snow people are positive and happy.
