Since 2014 Kvennaskólinn
in Reykjavík and Kadrina Secondary School have joined for the TESIC project
where its main purpose has been sustainability development. One group of
teachers and administrators have visited Iceland. Iceland has sent two groups
to Estonia on separate occasions. The
last group to visit Estonia stayed from the 17th of September until the 24th of
the same month. This type of project is to introduce the participants to
different ways of thinking about teaching and learning, and also compare notes
with colleagues; something that is beneficial to all in involved.
During our stay
great many things caught our eye. We
stayed three nights at Kuusike Nature Farm, a wholly ecological and sustainable
farm. The cuisine on offer was organically grown at Kuusike or on nearby
farms. The house itself and its
interiors where made completely from materials available in and around Kuusike;
very efficient and nature friendly way to build a house. We also collected wild
mushrooms which in turn was a good way to educate us about the possibilities of
how nature can provide a complete dinner.
We found the Estonian sauna culture interesting both the traditional
sauna and its modern counterpart.
We visited two
schools, Kadrina Secondary School and Jöhvi Gymnasium, which is a new secondary
school where the integration of Russian and Estonian speakers takes place
through innovative ways. Narva College
was also visited and a thorough walk around the institution got us well
acquainted with Estonian college life.
Our trip to the north-east made the history of Estonia come to live and looking
across the Narva Jögi towards Russia deepened our understanding of the Estonian
independence struggle.
We also got to
know some of the local businesses, especially Aru Grupp and Haka Plast which
was interesting. It would have been, had
there been time, interesting to visit other businesses as well.
Two workshops were
conducted with Icelandic and Estonian teachers. The first dealt with
programming computer games for teaching but the second dealt with the
possibilities of websites as a tool for education. Practical workshops that participants can
with ease apply to their teaching methods.
Last but not least
was the insight we gained into Estonian culture when we visited and explored
Vihula Manor and Rakvere Castle. Afterwards, a wonderful medieval experience
followed with a dinner, dance, and music.
Our stay in
Estonia was both entertaining and enlightening and the main purpose to acquaint
ourselves with sustainability development, and the history and culture of the
Estonian people was a great success. More importantly/Lastly we have met and
made new friends with our colleagues and we are pleased and grateful for a
successful stay in Estonia.
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