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This program is open to in-service teachers working in Chatham, Durham, Orange, and Wake county public and private schools, the target area of the sponsoring Triangle Community Foundation. We have funding to run three summer programs in 2016, 2017, and 2018. Applications are accepted each November and December prior to the following summer's program. Selected applicants will be notified of acceptance or non-acceptance by mid-January. Approximately 15 teachers will be selected for participation in each summer program. For information on how to apply, visit this application page. |
Program FAQ's
Who is leading this program?
This program is led by faculty in NC State's College of Education: Dr. Kevin Oliver (Digital Learning), Dr. Ruie Pritchard (English), and Dr. Angela Wiseman (Literacy). Additional program leaders include: Dr. Michael Cook of Auburn University (English Education), and Ms. Megan Poole (Technology Consultant). This program is underwritten by a grant from the Triangle Community Foundation's Borchardt Fund. If you have any questions about applying, you can contact Dr. Oliver ([email protected]).
Who is leading this program?
This program is led by faculty in NC State's College of Education: Dr. Kevin Oliver (Digital Learning), Dr. Ruie Pritchard (English), and Dr. Angela Wiseman (Literacy). Additional program leaders include: Dr. Michael Cook of Auburn University (English Education), and Ms. Megan Poole (Technology Consultant). This program is underwritten by a grant from the Triangle Community Foundation's Borchardt Fund. If you have any questions about applying, you can contact Dr. Oliver ([email protected]).
Who is eligible for this program?
Any in-service teacher in Chatham, Durham, Orange, or Wake county, in a public or private school, is eligible to apply. While this is a technology-oriented program, teachers need not be experts in technology to apply, as we hope to help develop these skills in participants. However, teachers should be interested in incorporating global perspectives and connections into their classrooms. Unfortunately, teachers who have already traveled with us on previous trips to England are not eligible to apply for this program, to give other teachers a chance to travel internationally and learn technology-enabled strategies for cultural connection, collection, and reflection.
Any in-service teacher in Chatham, Durham, Orange, or Wake county, in a public or private school, is eligible to apply. While this is a technology-oriented program, teachers need not be experts in technology to apply, as we hope to help develop these skills in participants. However, teachers should be interested in incorporating global perspectives and connections into their classrooms. Unfortunately, teachers who have already traveled with us on previous trips to England are not eligible to apply for this program, to give other teachers a chance to travel internationally and learn technology-enabled strategies for cultural connection, collection, and reflection.
What are the dates of your program?
2016 Cohort: This program requires attendance at four Saturday classes held in NC State's College of Education in advance of travel (2016 class dates are Feb 13, May 21, June 11, and June 25), and three additional full-day classes held on-site in Helsinki (2016 travel dates are July 12-27).
2016 Cohort: This program requires attendance at four Saturday classes held in NC State's College of Education in advance of travel (2016 class dates are Feb 13, May 21, June 11, and June 25), and three additional full-day classes held on-site in Helsinki (2016 travel dates are July 12-27).
What are your selection criteria?
To guide selections, program leaders will independently review each applicant’s video and total their separate scores across several factors, including current incorporation of global perspectives, technologies, and literacies (readiness) matched against interest in and described opportunities for incorporating global perspectives, technologies, and literacies (potential). Depending on who applies, we will also attempt to achieve a balance across the foundation's target counties (Chatham, Durham, Orange, and Wake), across teachers' grade levels (elementary, middle, and high), across teachers' content areas, and across demographics. In the past, we have not received many applications from teachers outside of Wake County, or male teachers, so we do encourage teachers in these demographics to apply.
To guide selections, program leaders will independently review each applicant’s video and total their separate scores across several factors, including current incorporation of global perspectives, technologies, and literacies (readiness) matched against interest in and described opportunities for incorporating global perspectives, technologies, and literacies (potential). Depending on who applies, we will also attempt to achieve a balance across the foundation's target counties (Chatham, Durham, Orange, and Wake), across teachers' grade levels (elementary, middle, and high), across teachers' content areas, and across demographics. In the past, we have not received many applications from teachers outside of Wake County, or male teachers, so we do encourage teachers in these demographics to apply.
What is expected of participants (classes and travel)?
As this is a professional development program, teachers will be expected to attend four full-day Saturday classes at NC State in advance of travel (2016 class dates are Feb 13, May 21, June 11, June 25), and three additional full-day classes on-site in Helsinki (2016 travel dates are July 12-27). During class, participants will learn about technology-enabled strategies for connecting with other cultures, curating cultural media collections, and reflecting on culture in written and multimodal works. The desire is for teachers to learn about strategies they can apply in their own classrooms. As part of cultural connecting, teachers will be expected to run one inter-classroom project in the spring prior to travel with their own students, ideally with a Finnish or other Scandinavian teacher partner/classroom. Teachers will be introduced to sample collaborative project structures in February to help with setting up their own project and faculty will be available to help teachers implement their projects. In Finland, teachers will be expected to participate in four or five scheduled cultural excursions with the group, but will have approximately five free days to travel on their own or in small groups. |
What is expected of participants (research)?
Participants are encouraged but not required to participate in research we are conducting on this program to determine how the cultural connection, collection, and reflection activities support greater cultural understanding. Teachers who agree to participate in the research will complete short pre-post surveys on their global competence and program experiences, and help faculty study the impact of their collaborative classroom project on student cultural understanding with further K-12 student surveys and a short interview. Those participating in the research also agree to have their class projects analyzed for evidence of cultural understanding.
Participants are encouraged but not required to participate in research we are conducting on this program to determine how the cultural connection, collection, and reflection activities support greater cultural understanding. Teachers who agree to participate in the research will complete short pre-post surveys on their global competence and program experiences, and help faculty study the impact of their collaborative classroom project on student cultural understanding with further K-12 student surveys and a short interview. Those participating in the research also agree to have their class projects analyzed for evidence of cultural understanding.
How are participants exposed to Finnish culture?
This program introduces teachers to the Finnish education system through inter-cultural classroom projects, teacher partners, and Finnish graduate students and faculty who will visit our classes. Further, scheduled excursions to cultural sites and follow-up projects are purposefully selected to introduce teachers to other aspects of Finnish culture with reflection, including: art, craft, design, architecture, literature, popular culture, history, economics, food, and sustainable practices.
This program introduces teachers to the Finnish education system through inter-cultural classroom projects, teacher partners, and Finnish graduate students and faculty who will visit our classes. Further, scheduled excursions to cultural sites and follow-up projects are purposefully selected to introduce teachers to other aspects of Finnish culture with reflection, including: art, craft, design, architecture, literature, popular culture, history, economics, food, and sustainable practices.
What can I earn for participating?
Participants can earn CEUs for their participation (free), and any teacher who is also a graduate student can take an independent study from NC State and receive 3 graduate credits for participation (tuition payment required).
Participants can earn CEUs for their participation (free), and any teacher who is also a graduate student can take an independent study from NC State and receive 3 graduate credits for participation (tuition payment required).
What is covered and what costs will I have to pay?
With foundation funding, the costs of this program are greatly reduced for participants. Participants receive two weeks free lodging in a shared Helsinki apartment with two other teachers (three teachers per two-bedroom, one-bath apartment), $160 allowance for groceries (apartments come with fully-furnished kitchens, en suite laundry, television, and WiFi), airport transfers, a 3-day Helsinki card covering transit and major attractions in the city at no cost, coach transportation and admission to cultural sites in southern Finland on four day trips, ferry ticket to visit old Tallinn in Estonia on another day trip, access to the group meeting suite for classes and group cookouts three nights (food provided), and free lunch during the four NC State classes and one of the group excursions. The direct foundation-funded benefit to each participant is approximately $1900, or $3000 factoring instructional and facilities costs. Participants are responsible for their own airfare to Helsinki (estimate of $1500) and for eating out (optional).
With foundation funding, the costs of this program are greatly reduced for participants. Participants receive two weeks free lodging in a shared Helsinki apartment with two other teachers (three teachers per two-bedroom, one-bath apartment), $160 allowance for groceries (apartments come with fully-furnished kitchens, en suite laundry, television, and WiFi), airport transfers, a 3-day Helsinki card covering transit and major attractions in the city at no cost, coach transportation and admission to cultural sites in southern Finland on four day trips, ferry ticket to visit old Tallinn in Estonia on another day trip, access to the group meeting suite for classes and group cookouts three nights (food provided), and free lunch during the four NC State classes and one of the group excursions. The direct foundation-funded benefit to each participant is approximately $1900, or $3000 factoring instructional and facilities costs. Participants are responsible for their own airfare to Helsinki (estimate of $1500) and for eating out (optional).
Travel FAQ's
Where are we staying and what is nearby? As Finnish universities do not have dormitory accommodations, we have secured reservations at one of TripAdvisor's top-rated aparthotels in Helsinki, the Aallonkoti Hotel Apartments. This is a new, centrally located, modern hotel with elevator and conveniences in each apartment (furnished kitchen, full bath, living room with tv, WiFi, balcony, washer/dryer). We will hold our Helsinki classes in the same aparthotel in a meeting suite on the top floor with projector, screen, WiFi, and outdoor balcony space for group cookouts on select evenings. The aparthotel does not have exercise facilities, but it sits on a lake surrounded by a park with a several-miles long paved walking/jogging trail for exercise. It is a two-block walk to a convenience and grocery store, a three-block walk to Tokmanni (Finland's Target brand) for non-food supplies, a one-block walk to Helsinki's main train station and transit hub (trams, subway, buses) for transportation throughout the city and region, and several restaurants can be found within just a few blocks including Basti's on the aparthotel's first floor (see also, Chelsea Sports Pub, Crazy Hedgehog, Eatos Mexican Diner, JuFu, Nom, Red Apple, and Woolshed). The main shopping platz in Helsinki and the harbor and harbor market can be reached in 10-20 minutes on foot. Other popular attractions are within 5-10 minutes walk from the aparthotel (art museums, music hall, Finnish national museum, rock church, and more). |
What are the sleeping arrangements at the aparthotel?
We have reserved five two-bedroom, one-bath apartments, which will house three teachers per apartment. In one bedroom, there is a queen bed that will be separated into two single beds, and in the other room, there is either another dividable queen bed or bunk bed depending on the apartment. Apartments also have living rooms with large couches that someone could sleep on. After our second or third class meeting, participants will have the opportunity to choose their roommates, and these persons can divide up their sleeping arrangements as they see fit. Everyone is guaranteed a bed, but not necessarily a private bedroom--you may have to share a bedroom with one other person. Apartments will be shared by persons of the same gender, not mixed. If you would like to apply for this program with another teacher at your school with the possibility of sharing a bedroom, you are welcome to do so. Each teacher will need to apply separately, and will be evaluated separately, but you can indicate in your application that you are applying with a peer teacher, and we will take that into consideration. |
What will we see in Finland?
Participants will receive a three-day Helsinki card through the grant, allowing them to visit dozens of museums and attractions in the Helsinki area, and access local transit to easily move between sites. In addition, the grant will pay for participants to travel by coach with the group on several planned excursions. In 2016, we are planning group excursions to: Hame Castle, Haltia nature center, Raseborg ruins, Forngarden folk museum, seaside Hanko, old Porvoo, Luostarinmaki handicrafts village in Turku, and old Naantali. In addition, we will travel by ferry on a day trip to old Tallinn, a few hours across the Gulf of Finland in Estonia.
Participants will receive a three-day Helsinki card through the grant, allowing them to visit dozens of museums and attractions in the Helsinki area, and access local transit to easily move between sites. In addition, the grant will pay for participants to travel by coach with the group on several planned excursions. In 2016, we are planning group excursions to: Hame Castle, Haltia nature center, Raseborg ruins, Forngarden folk museum, seaside Hanko, old Porvoo, Luostarinmaki handicrafts village in Turku, and old Naantali. In addition, we will travel by ferry on a day trip to old Tallinn, a few hours across the Gulf of Finland in Estonia.
How will we travel to Finland?
As airfare to Finland is not covered by the grant, participants can use any means at their disposal to arrange air travel (e.g., frequent flyer miles, professional development scholarship from their school, personal credit card). Several routes are available with one stop (RDU-JFK-HEL on American, RDU-YYZ-HEL on Air Canada, RDU-LON-HEL on American, RDU-CDG-HEL on Delta). At our first class meeting in February, we will discuss travel arrangements and how participants want to fly. Participants should be able to find others to travel with and make reservations early enough to sit together and receive advance purchase discounts. Participants who opt to take the agreed upon "group flight" will be met by a coach at the airport for free transfer to the hotel. Participants making travel arrangements outside of the agreed upon "group flight" will need to find their own way to the aparthotel, which is easily accessed by taxi (~$50) or the ring rail train line that connects the airport to the central train station, only a block from the hotel. The instructors will not be traveling with teachers, as we will arrive a day early for setup.
As airfare to Finland is not covered by the grant, participants can use any means at their disposal to arrange air travel (e.g., frequent flyer miles, professional development scholarship from their school, personal credit card). Several routes are available with one stop (RDU-JFK-HEL on American, RDU-YYZ-HEL on Air Canada, RDU-LON-HEL on American, RDU-CDG-HEL on Delta). At our first class meeting in February, we will discuss travel arrangements and how participants want to fly. Participants should be able to find others to travel with and make reservations early enough to sit together and receive advance purchase discounts. Participants who opt to take the agreed upon "group flight" will be met by a coach at the airport for free transfer to the hotel. Participants making travel arrangements outside of the agreed upon "group flight" will need to find their own way to the aparthotel, which is easily accessed by taxi (~$50) or the ring rail train line that connects the airport to the central train station, only a block from the hotel. The instructors will not be traveling with teachers, as we will arrive a day early for setup.
What are the dates of travel to Finland?
Participants in the 2016 program should plan to fly out of the United States on Tuesday, July 12th, arriving in Helsinki on Wednesday, July 13th, typically in the morning. Participants will check into the aparthotel on the 13th, and everyone will check out of the aparthotel on the morning of Wednesday, July 27th (14 nights lodging). There are no formal activities scheduled for arrival day, July 13th, other than a quick tour of the local area, giving teachers time to rest and buy groceries/supplies. Thus, teachers can arrive at any time on July 13th, morning, afternoon, or evening. The formal program in Helsinki begins on July 14th. Teachers cannot check into the aparthotel before Wednesday, July 13th, unless they want to make separate arrangements at their own cost.
Participants in the 2016 program should plan to fly out of the United States on Tuesday, July 12th, arriving in Helsinki on Wednesday, July 13th, typically in the morning. Participants will check into the aparthotel on the 13th, and everyone will check out of the aparthotel on the morning of Wednesday, July 27th (14 nights lodging). There are no formal activities scheduled for arrival day, July 13th, other than a quick tour of the local area, giving teachers time to rest and buy groceries/supplies. Thus, teachers can arrive at any time on July 13th, morning, afternoon, or evening. The formal program in Helsinki begins on July 14th. Teachers cannot check into the aparthotel before Wednesday, July 13th, unless they want to make separate arrangements at their own cost.
Do I need a visa or passport to travel to Finland and neighboring countries?
American citizens do not need a visa to enter Finland or Estonia, the two countries on our schedule, but they do need a valid passport. You must have a valid passport to participate in this program and travel to Finland and Estonia. If students plan to travel before or after our study abroad trip to other locations in Europe, they should check what is required to enter those countries. Russia, for example, has rather strict visa requirements in addition to needing a passport, and these must be acquired months in advance.
American citizens do not need a visa to enter Finland or Estonia, the two countries on our schedule, but they do need a valid passport. You must have a valid passport to participate in this program and travel to Finland and Estonia. If students plan to travel before or after our study abroad trip to other locations in Europe, they should check what is required to enter those countries. Russia, for example, has rather strict visa requirements in addition to needing a passport, and these must be acquired months in advance.
Can I bring my family?
As participants are sharing apartments with other teachers, no family members or overnight guests are allowed in the aparthotel. Further, we expect you to stay with the group during the formal two-week immersion in Finland, rather than traveling separately with family. Participants can travel with family in Finland before or after our formal program if they would like to make those separate arrangements.
As participants are sharing apartments with other teachers, no family members or overnight guests are allowed in the aparthotel. Further, we expect you to stay with the group during the formal two-week immersion in Finland, rather than traveling separately with family. Participants can travel with family in Finland before or after our formal program if they would like to make those separate arrangements.
Can I use my cell phone in Finland?
It is possible to use your cell phone in Finland using one of the following methods. 1) You can pay your American provider for an international cellular/data plan which tends to be quite expensive. 2) You can turn off your cellular roaming and data, and just use your cell phone in establishments with WiFi. With the Skype app and an account with some money loaded, you can call home via WiFi. 3) If your phone is "unlocked" and your American provider allows it to be connected to other international providers, you can purchase a Finnish cellular chip, put it in your phone, and get low-cost access. Finland is known for cheap cellular service, and Dr. Oliver linked his phone to the Finnish provider DNA for five euros. Their office is only a few blocks from our aparthotel. Note, most American phones are not "unlocked," so this will probably not work for most of you. Check with your individual provider.
It is possible to use your cell phone in Finland using one of the following methods. 1) You can pay your American provider for an international cellular/data plan which tends to be quite expensive. 2) You can turn off your cellular roaming and data, and just use your cell phone in establishments with WiFi. With the Skype app and an account with some money loaded, you can call home via WiFi. 3) If your phone is "unlocked" and your American provider allows it to be connected to other international providers, you can purchase a Finnish cellular chip, put it in your phone, and get low-cost access. Finland is known for cheap cellular service, and Dr. Oliver linked his phone to the Finnish provider DNA for five euros. Their office is only a few blocks from our aparthotel. Note, most American phones are not "unlocked," so this will probably not work for most of you. Check with your individual provider.
How can I use maps in Finland?
If you don't plan on having international cellular service while in Finland, use the download feature of Google Maps before your leave for Helsinki to capture different regions of the city. Then you can use the downloaded maps when you are offline. This may be helpful to navigate the center city until you find your way around. It doesn't take long to figure out Helsinki, as everything is fairly compact. |
Is there an emergency contact number in Finland?
If anyone needs to reach you from the United States for an emergency, they can call the aparthotel (+358 20 735 0130) or Dr. Oliver's Finnish cell phone number (+358 044 945 2469). They should also send you an email, since it may be quicker to reach you by email. If you plan to call home from the United States regularly, you should set up a Skype account in advance of travel, add some money to it, add the Skype software or app to your laptop/cellphone, connect your laptop/cell phone to WiFi, and this will allow you to call international phone numbers for pennies a minute.
If anyone needs to reach you from the United States for an emergency, they can call the aparthotel (+358 20 735 0130) or Dr. Oliver's Finnish cell phone number (+358 044 945 2469). They should also send you an email, since it may be quicker to reach you by email. If you plan to call home from the United States regularly, you should set up a Skype account in advance of travel, add some money to it, add the Skype software or app to your laptop/cellphone, connect your laptop/cell phone to WiFi, and this will allow you to call international phone numbers for pennies a minute.
What do I need to pack?
- Participants should bring a laptop to Finland, as we will be working on a variety of multimodal composition projects in our classes. Participants should also bring a digital camera or smart phone with camera, and have this available throughout the trip, as we will be creating curated collections that require digital imagery.
- Apartments do not have land line phones, so participants will need to make other arrangements for phone calls. We suggest adding the Skype app to your laptop and/or cell phone, and using wifi (free in apartments) to dial-out to local or international phone numbers. Calling phone numbers via Skype is possible, and very cheap at only pennies per minute.
- Participants are welcome to travel casually. Jeans/shorts and t-shirts are perfectly acceptable for all excursions and class meetings. Pack comfortable shoes, as there will be a considerable amount of walking around the city and on some excursions (e.g., Tallinn). You might bring a light jacket, as Helsinki is the northern-most capital in Europe, and it's possible there might be a light chill late at night. Conversely, you might also bring a small fan, as the aparthotel is air-circulated but not air-conditioned. We do suggest participants pack a rain jacket or small umbrella, in case it rains on the day of one of our excursions. Excursions are scheduled in advance and can't be changed due to inclement weather.
- Apartments will come with a starter supply of paper products, but you and your apartment mates might need to make a run to the nearby grocery store for replacement products. There is no need to pack these in your suitcase, however.
- Apartments do have furnished kitchens with pots/pans, plates/silverware, glasses, a mocca-master coffee pot, etc. Each apartment also has a washer/dryer and iron, so you may want to pack some travel-sized detergent cubes and dryer sheets. Aparthotel housekeeping is offered weekly, so your sheets will be changed once mid-way through our trip, although you are welcome to wash sheets/towels more often if you wish. The Finnish norm we have experienced is for bedding to consist of a pad and a wrapped comforter. If a comforter is too heavy for you in summer, you might want to pack a twin/double sheet for your bed, or you can buy one in Helsinki if this proves problematic.
- Apartments come with a television, radio, and dvd player. Note, American dvd's may not work in the European player. If you wish to watch dvd's, you may need to do so on your laptop.
- Apartments do not come with an alarm clock, so please make arrangements for an alarm clock, or use an app on your laptop/phone. Our group excursions by coach will begin fairly early in the day (8am'ish), so you may need an alarm to wake up early on select days.
- At its northern latitude, Helsinki's sunset in mid-July is 10:30pm at night and its sunrise is 4:20am in the morning. Participants may wish to pack a sleep mask to cover their eyes if bright light affects their sleep, as Finland has considerably less night time compared to North Carolina.
- Participants should purchase and pack a European adapter to use their electronics in Finland. The adapter that will work in Finland has a rounded end with two long round prongs. This will allow you to plug your devices into the wall for charging. Note, Finland uses a higher 230 voltage compared to the U.S. 120 voltage. Most laptops, tablets, and cell phones are dual-voltage, meaning you can just plug them straight into an adapter and they will charge with the 230 voltage the same as with the 120 voltage. Make sure your device is dual-voltage before plugging it into the wall, as you can destroy it. If you have a product that is not dual-voltage like a sleep machine or hair dryer, you can buy a product that both adapts the plug type and converts the voltage down to 120.