Introduction - Kati Kotka

Hello everyone!

My name is Kati Kotka and I’m studying business at Centria.

I’m going to Centennial college, which is located in Toronto, Canada. I applied there because I’m interested in their culture and I want to improve my English. I also want to go on an adventure and become more independent and brave. This is a great opportunity.

-Kati Kotka

Introduction - Jesse #2

My name is Jesse, I'm originally from Kokkola Finland, but i moved to Ylivieska to study electrical engineering.

I applied to study in the University of the Highlands and Islands in Scotland because i think it's refreshing to study in different environment for a while, in  this 4 years of studying.

-Jesse Myrskog 

Introduction from Jesse #1

Hello!

My name is Jesse, I'm from Finland, I study electrical engineering in Ylivieska.
And I'm going abroad in Inverness, Scotland with my two buddies Joonas and Jesse #2.
Why we choce Scotland? We wanted country that is located at the same latitude and
a native language should be English (with Scottish accents, close enough.)

Plus I'm into hiking and Scottland Higlands will be hikers paradise.



- Jesse Petäjä (number one)

Materials from the course

 Materials from the course are found here:

Pre-departure traininig part 1 session on 16.3.2017
Pre-departure training part 2 session on 25.4.2017
Pre-departure training, part 1, session on 31.10.2017
Pre departure training part 2, session on 13.12.2017
Pre-departure training part 1 and Return ws 19.3.2018
Pre-departure training part 2 and Return ws 20.4.2018 
Return workshop 27.8.2018
Return workshop 9.10.2018
Pre-departure training, part 1 session on 9.10.2018
Pre-departure training, part 2, session on 7.11.2018
Return workshop, session on 20.3.2019
Pre-departure training part 1, session on 20.3.2019
Pre-departure training part 2, session on 11.04.2019
Return work shop, session on 27.08.2019

Introduction - Linda Krokfors

My name is Linda Krokfors and I work at Centria. I am an international cordinator, which means that I work with exchange studies from different aspects. I promote exchange studies and internships and teach all first year students about global competence and how to develop global competence. 

I have been on exchange 4 times. First time as a 17 year old to the US for a year. Second time as a Uni student to the Netherlands. Third and fourth times were internships in Peru and Venezuela. These experiences have shaped my world view, as well as personality. They have also developed my language skills. I have 4 active languages and have studied 10.

This course is about the core of my work. Guiding you with practical aspects about exchange, but foremost, guiding you in your intercultural development process. Opening the door for you, if you let me. 

I strongly believe that preparing for a period abroad is necessary. Yes, you can land of your both feet if you are dropped into a new country, but will you know where you should start walking?

I'm very exited about the course and am looking forward to working with all of you!

Blogging

Blogging is to write about situations and topics from a contextual but also more personal point of view. Blogs are updated regularity and are usually open to the public. Blogs can be personal, but also open to groups.
Our blog is an educational blog, where we share knowledge and reflections and learn together from each other.


Blog posts in our blog need to stick to the topic and the questions. Write in your own way, but with correct language and full sentences.

Reflection means to write about one's thoughts, feelings and opinions. Write your posts so that you use full sentences and correct language.

Ethics: Remember to respect others when writing in the blog. Writing about others in a negative manner is absolutely not allowed. When commenting others posts, write in an encouraging manner.

To get started: 

In order to write in this blog, you need to provide me with you gmail account so that I can add you to the blog. Send your g-mail account to linda.krokfors@centria.fi

After that I will invite you to the blog.

After you accept the invitation, you can start writing in the blog.

To write a post, click new post. Add the suggested title and labels (in the right hand-side). After that you can just start writing :-)

You can save the post and continue another time. Your post will be seen in the blog when you push publish! Check always what the post looks like in preview and make modifications if needed. You can also modify already published posts by opening the post and pushing "update".

BLOG TASK

1. Introduce yourself and tell us at least one thing you want to learn while studying or working abroad
2. Add a picture of yourself. If you do not want to add a picture, add a drawing or something that describes you!
3. Put in labels, your first and last name e.g. Linda Krokfors
4. Comment on at least one post of a fellow student!

Have your post done in March 2017, so that we have a chance to get to know you before our next meeting. 

Learning objective:
- Learn basics about blogging and how to make a post and how to comment in a blog.

Welcome!

Welcome to learning and training abroad!

This blog will be our common diary throughout the year. You will make blog posts here as well as read your friends posts.

The blog is part of the Training course for studies and work placement abroad course arranged at Centria University of Applied Sciences. By taking part in 3 workshops, and doing your blog posts, you will be awarded 2 ECTS and the Centria Global Competence Open Badge.



Your pilots will be Mr. Vesa Nurova and Ms. Linda Krokfors.

The important dates for the course are:
16.3.2017 at 12:20-15:55 Pre-departure traininig part 1
25.4.2017 at 11:00-15:00 Pre-departure traininig part 2
25.8.2017 at 9:00-12:30 Return workshop for summer trainees
Return workshop in March and August