So I'm over halfway done my first course. I have to say it's been pretty intense, with assignments due every class. I'm missing my babies but I'm really enjoying the class and I'm very glad I'm doing this.
The environment is amazing, everybody is so supportive and motivated and happy to be there. We've been doing presentations in class and you can just feel that everybody in the room is rooting for you to do a good job. It's a wonderful feeling.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Back to School!
Well, Monday marked my very first day back to school in the Aalto University Part-time MBA Program!!!! It was only three hours but I have to admit it was quite exhausting - it's been a long time since I've sat through 3 hours of intellectual conversation (no offence, Charlie!).
In my class of 37, there are only 9 women. There are only 6 of us who are not Finnish. I am the only one whose first language is English, which hopefully I can use to my advantage.
My first course is called Management Communication and is taught by Dr. Sherron Bienvenu from Emory University in the US. Most of our courses will be taught by professors who are flown in from all over the world. Of our 18 courses, I think only 3 are taught by Finnish professors. It's a very international program and that's one of the things that attracted me to it in the first place.
8 classes and then my first course will be complete. It's quite intense, so it's good that we have two weeks of class and then two weeks off before the next course begins.
Andrew has survived two nights with the kids so far and he still has a smile on his face. Charlie is really taking a liking to him, so now they are buddies.
Already starting to miss my kids with the thought of being away from them so much. Maddy and Charlie were both sleeping by the time I got home on Monday, and that made me sad. But it just means I need to take advantage of the time we do get to spend together.
I wonder if I can get the student discount anywhere....
In my class of 37, there are only 9 women. There are only 6 of us who are not Finnish. I am the only one whose first language is English, which hopefully I can use to my advantage.
My first course is called Management Communication and is taught by Dr. Sherron Bienvenu from Emory University in the US. Most of our courses will be taught by professors who are flown in from all over the world. Of our 18 courses, I think only 3 are taught by Finnish professors. It's a very international program and that's one of the things that attracted me to it in the first place.
8 classes and then my first course will be complete. It's quite intense, so it's good that we have two weeks of class and then two weeks off before the next course begins.
Andrew has survived two nights with the kids so far and he still has a smile on his face. Charlie is really taking a liking to him, so now they are buddies.
Already starting to miss my kids with the thought of being away from them so much. Maddy and Charlie were both sleeping by the time I got home on Monday, and that made me sad. But it just means I need to take advantage of the time we do get to spend together.
I wonder if I can get the student discount anywhere....
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Charlie 1.25
Charlie is 15 months old today! Can't believe how fast time is flying by. Knock on wood, he's been healthy for the past four weeks and have seen a big improvement in him. His legs continue to get stronger and he's mobile in his own way. He has been sleeping better at night and is on a sleep schedule (for the most part).
Looking forward to the day that he can get up and walk around, and hoping that day comes soon. But for now, he's perfectly happy sitting and watching and reaching and scooching.
We've received the appointment to see the ear, nose, throat specialist on January 25 at 6pm. I actually have class that night, so Andrew will have to take him and Maddy.
Overall he's a very happy kid who loves some attention, some cuddles, and a good laugh.
xoxo
Kim
Finland is famous....
for putting American Idol star Adam Lambert into jail!!
He spent several hours in a Finnish jail after being arrested outside a Helsinki gay bar for having a brawl with his Finnish boyfriend.
He spent several hours in a Finnish jail after being arrested outside a Helsinki gay bar for having a brawl with his Finnish boyfriend.
Monday, January 9, 2012
16 Surprising Facts about Finland's Education System
Finland's school system has consistently come at the top of international rankings for education systems. So how do they do it? It's simple - by going against the evaluation-driven, centralised model that much of the Western world uses.
I found this article in the Helsinki Times this weekend and thought it was interesting to share with you.
1. Finnish children don't start school until they are 7.
2. They rarely take exams or do homework until they are well into their teens. The children are not measured at all for the first six years of their education.
3. There is only one mandatory standardized test in Finland, taken when children are 16.
4. Finland spends around 30% less per student than the US. All children, regardless of ability, are taught in the same classrooms.
5. 30% of children receive extra help during the first nine years of school.
6. 66% of students go to college.
7. The difference between the weakest and strongest students is the smallest in the world.
8. 93% of Finns graduate from high school.
9. 43% of Finnish second-level students go to vocational schools.
10. Teachers only spend four hours a day in the classroom, and take two hours a week for professional development.
11. The school system is 100% state funded.
12. The national curriculum is only a broad guideline.
13. All teachers in Finland must have a masters' degree, which is fully subsidized.
14. Teachers are selected from the top 10% of graduates and their average starting salary in 2008 was 22,235 euros. Last year, 6600 applicants vied for 660 primary school training positions.
15. High school teachers with 15 years of experience earn 102% more than other college graduates.
16. In an international standardized measurement in 2001, Finnish children came top or very close to the top for science, reading, and math.
I found this article in the Helsinki Times this weekend and thought it was interesting to share with you.
1. Finnish children don't start school until they are 7.
2. They rarely take exams or do homework until they are well into their teens. The children are not measured at all for the first six years of their education.
3. There is only one mandatory standardized test in Finland, taken when children are 16.
4. Finland spends around 30% less per student than the US. All children, regardless of ability, are taught in the same classrooms.
5. 30% of children receive extra help during the first nine years of school.
6. 66% of students go to college.
7. The difference between the weakest and strongest students is the smallest in the world.
8. 93% of Finns graduate from high school.
9. 43% of Finnish second-level students go to vocational schools.
10. Teachers only spend four hours a day in the classroom, and take two hours a week for professional development.
11. The school system is 100% state funded.
12. The national curriculum is only a broad guideline.
13. All teachers in Finland must have a masters' degree, which is fully subsidized.
14. Teachers are selected from the top 10% of graduates and their average starting salary in 2008 was 22,235 euros. Last year, 6600 applicants vied for 660 primary school training positions.
15. High school teachers with 15 years of experience earn 102% more than other college graduates.
16. In an international standardized measurement in 2001, Finnish children came top or very close to the top for science, reading, and math.
Friday, January 6, 2012
MBA, here we come!!
I am very happy to announce that I have been accepted into the MBA program at Aalto University!!!!
I have been staying at home for almost two years and feel that I am ready for a challenge. I have always dreamt of getting my MBA, but had assumed I would be completing it later in life. The timing now seems perfect, since Andrew's work schedule is very flexible and it doesn't appear that he's ready to leave Finland anytime soon.
So, I will be going to class on evenings and weekends. Two weeks on, two weeks off. 20 courses total.
I signed my acceptance letter and received an email from them two weeks later. "Orientation is this day. Classes start this day. Here are four articles that must be read before your first class. You have an assignment that must be handed in on the first day. Oh, and by the way, come and pick up your textbook, which also must be read by the first day." Oh boy, what have I gotten myself into????
I have been staying at home for almost two years and feel that I am ready for a challenge. I have always dreamt of getting my MBA, but had assumed I would be completing it later in life. The timing now seems perfect, since Andrew's work schedule is very flexible and it doesn't appear that he's ready to leave Finland anytime soon.
So, I will be going to class on evenings and weekends. Two weeks on, two weeks off. 20 courses total.
I signed my acceptance letter and received an email from them two weeks later. "Orientation is this day. Classes start this day. Here are four articles that must be read before your first class. You have an assignment that must be handed in on the first day. Oh, and by the way, come and pick up your textbook, which also must be read by the first day." Oh boy, what have I gotten myself into????
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Cheesecake update
I am happy to report that the cheesecake turned out well!!! The Dutch in me kicked in and I refused to pay 7 euros ($12) for a single can of cherry topping, so I used raspberry jam instead. And it was still a hit. Too bad we didn't have enough people over here to help me eat it before we left for Paris.
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