1. Work Placement Finland Maaike Beenen 27.5.2005

2. Contents Why Finland Preparations The work placement Added value Advice After the work placement

3. Why Finland It all started in Hungary… Finland because… positive stories high quality education unknown country and language

4. Preparations Knowledge about Finland beforehand Language and other preparations Finding a work placement e-mails meeting people Arriving in Finland accommodation culture shock

5. The work placement Jyväskylä Polytechnic Work placement duties: Improving the communication within one of the English Degree programmes (Facility Management and Consumer Communication) Leonardo da Vinci IDEA-HUNT website Assisting the international co-ordinator and other staff

6. Experiences Work environment Cultural differences

7. Added value Development of… intercultural communication skills Finnish language skills own abilities and personality

8. Advice Important considerations: Finding a work placement Guidance of the student by the school Guidance of the student by the work placement Assignment(s)

9. Staying in Finland interesting possibilities for work beautiful country Current work as freelance graphic designer www.maaikebeenen.com After the work placement

10. Thank you for your time! E-mail: maaike@maaikebeenen.com