EDUCATION: DIFFERENCES ​BETWEEN FRANCE AND FINLAND

Hello guys, 

I am new in here!!! It is so wonderful writing for Xamk Magazine. I am so excited about this. So, my name is Elizabeth (but you can call me Lizzy). I am from originally from Lagos, Nigeria but I live in Dunkirk, France. Dunkirk is a very important and strategic place during the 2nd World war. Info: We also have the best Waffles and confitures in France.

1. RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PROFESSORS AND STUDENTS

So, I was pondering about what to write and I eventually wanted to point out differences in studying between Finland and France. I love France “Le pays de Baguette, French cheese, wine, chocolates and even perfumes. And yeah… I would love to tell you differences in the French educational system and that of Finland. I have been schooling here for more than two months now, but I must confess that education in Finland is more fun and interesting if you know how to manage your time. Lecturers are really open in here in Finland than in France, so this fear of asking them questions is automatically eliminated as the bridge between students and lecturers are really close. For example, you must call lecturers “Madame or Monsieur” (Madame or Mister). It is a sign of respect but here in Finland, we call them by their first names and that is really hard for me.

2. TEACHING METHODS (FRANCE VERSUS NIGERIA)

Second, Individual work is highly embraced in France. Projects at high schools and Universities are all about ‘YOU’ alone meanwhile in Finland, I have come to realize that 95% of projects are made in teams (groups of at least 3-4 students). That was a shock for me!!! As I was already used to the “DO IT YOURSELF METHOD”. But this Peer-learning technic is really good.  I am becoming more and more creative and curious about other people point of view. Furthermore, I have never worked in a very diversified environment, there are a lot of international students here than universities in France. For example, International students in a French class could be only between four to five students. But in Finland, 95% of the students come from abroad, Russia, Belarus, Estonia, Sweden, Germany, etc.

3. STUDENT OVERRALLS

Uniform: We don’t have Overalls in France. Students could wear whatever they like to their get together parties. In Finland, I really loved the idea of the overalls and also belonging to a Student Union.  Going to a student party and getting badges in return is a very amazing idea. Students parties start from Wednesdays while in France, we rarely have parties. We always look forward to weekends and enjoy mostly with our family.

4. COMPARING UNIVERSITY RESTAURANTS

In addition, before moving to Finland I have always thought that Finland will be a very expensive country, this wanted to even draw me back from coming here. But when I found out that the school canteen fee is just 2,60€ per meal for a very balanced meal. My heart was leaping for joy. I paid 3.50€ per meal in France. Yes, France canteens are more expensive. Of course, you can always have French fries, Boeuf Bourguignon etc.

5. MOODLE SYSTEM AND PEER LEARNING

Moodle system in Finland is really amazing. The website is very attractive for students. In there, you can find Discussion Forums with students and teachers, materials resources for homework and studies, etc. In France, we also have quite the system, but we only have direct messages to our teachers and no forums. Forums in Moodle is very useful as we get to communicate and share our ideas publicly to our teachers as well as our colleagues. 

To Conclude: I have studied in three different countries, (Nigeria, France, and Finland). I highly recommend studying in Finland if anyone of you out there is looking for quality, innovative ideas, and supportive professors.