Prior to the exchange programme in Loimaa, Finland, students selected a business idea to share with the partners. The Hungarian team had decided to elaborate the idea of a self customised diary. The aim of the Shark Tank activity of the first day was to compare and evaluate the business ideas of the different country teams. The activity was moderated by the president and three members of the local JCI chapter. The teams presented their ideas and after a question answer section the jury gave immediate feedback to the groups. The groups were also given an evaluation sheet to comment the others' pitches. At the end of the session the jury announced the final results of the competition where our team was third together with the Finnish team.
The pitch talks were followed by a presentation skills workshop. The JCI people reflected on the speakers' presentation skills as well besides giving advice and role playing some situations, e.g. 20-second introduction.
On the following days we visited several companies. First we went to Fazer, a family-owned, traditional chocolate factory. In the visitors' centre we learnt about the history of the company, the other businesses they have, e.g. restaurants, bakeries, cafés, etc.
At Pemamek, a welding robot producer company the CEO and the marketing manager introduced their company to the students. They spoke about the history of the company, how it developed from a family business into an international company. They also introduced the values of the company such as reliability, efficiency and close customer relationship. They advised students to work hard at school, develop a positive attitude to hard work and emphasised the importance of languages and maths. After the presentation the group was guided through the workshops.
DINOlift, which produces trailer mounted aerial work platforms, is the market leader of the small machine segment in Finland but also sell widely abroad. One of the sales representatives gave a presentation to students about the history of the company which was quite similar to that of Pemamek. She also spoke about her personal career: her studies and the skills that are necessary for a job like hers. For example speaking three or four languages, knowing about cultural differences, having good communication skills.
In Turku we had the chance to listen to an extremely inspiring speech about the skills young entrepreneurs need: tolerate and learn from failure, work hard and do your best whatever you do, meet people and build networks, dare to take risks, be open to other subject areas than your basic studies especially at university. As a workshop students had to come up with a business idea in 15 minutes than comment the others' ideas in a gallery style. When all groups have added their own questions and ideas to the original ones the groups presented these ideas and reflected on the questions and suggestions. Finally the presenting professional pointed out the importance of the time element and the communication skills when you present your idea to potential partners or investors.
Teachers had an extra programme, which was a meeting with the representatives of the local vocational school. We got deep insight into the Finnish education system and the position of the vocational training within. Taking the hairdressers' course as an example we learnt about the structure of the curriculum, the ratio of general and profesional subjects, the ratio of theoretical and practical training and the exam requirements. We also talked about the international cooperations with foreign vocational schools who provide on-the-job training opportunities for students. E.g. Erasmus, Kam'oon China, ThaiGo.
Partner schools of the project introduced themselves and their coutries and cities in the annual international event of Loimaa Lukio. In these events exchange students and volunteers of international organisations working temporarily at the school speak about their projects, studies, their home or host countries.
Social programmes of the visit were as important, or even more important than the professional ones because these were organised by the host students themselves. They worked outstandingly as a team. They took charge of all tasks of organising, conducting and closing all activities from preparation of materials through giving instructions to cleaning the premises. They proved their good planning, communication and colaboration skills.
All in all it was an inspiring, informative, properly organised and enjoyable learning experience for both students and teachers.
Events and experiences of the week will be published in the project blog, the local newspaper, on the school website and will be part of the student portfolios.
The pitch talks were followed by a presentation skills workshop. The JCI people reflected on the speakers' presentation skills as well besides giving advice and role playing some situations, e.g. 20-second introduction.
On the following days we visited several companies. First we went to Fazer, a family-owned, traditional chocolate factory. In the visitors' centre we learnt about the history of the company, the other businesses they have, e.g. restaurants, bakeries, cafés, etc.
At Pemamek, a welding robot producer company the CEO and the marketing manager introduced their company to the students. They spoke about the history of the company, how it developed from a family business into an international company. They also introduced the values of the company such as reliability, efficiency and close customer relationship. They advised students to work hard at school, develop a positive attitude to hard work and emphasised the importance of languages and maths. After the presentation the group was guided through the workshops.
DINOlift, which produces trailer mounted aerial work platforms, is the market leader of the small machine segment in Finland but also sell widely abroad. One of the sales representatives gave a presentation to students about the history of the company which was quite similar to that of Pemamek. She also spoke about her personal career: her studies and the skills that are necessary for a job like hers. For example speaking three or four languages, knowing about cultural differences, having good communication skills.
In Turku we had the chance to listen to an extremely inspiring speech about the skills young entrepreneurs need: tolerate and learn from failure, work hard and do your best whatever you do, meet people and build networks, dare to take risks, be open to other subject areas than your basic studies especially at university. As a workshop students had to come up with a business idea in 15 minutes than comment the others' ideas in a gallery style. When all groups have added their own questions and ideas to the original ones the groups presented these ideas and reflected on the questions and suggestions. Finally the presenting professional pointed out the importance of the time element and the communication skills when you present your idea to potential partners or investors.
Teachers had an extra programme, which was a meeting with the representatives of the local vocational school. We got deep insight into the Finnish education system and the position of the vocational training within. Taking the hairdressers' course as an example we learnt about the structure of the curriculum, the ratio of general and profesional subjects, the ratio of theoretical and practical training and the exam requirements. We also talked about the international cooperations with foreign vocational schools who provide on-the-job training opportunities for students. E.g. Erasmus, Kam'oon China, ThaiGo.
Partner schools of the project introduced themselves and their coutries and cities in the annual international event of Loimaa Lukio. In these events exchange students and volunteers of international organisations working temporarily at the school speak about their projects, studies, their home or host countries.
Social programmes of the visit were as important, or even more important than the professional ones because these were organised by the host students themselves. They worked outstandingly as a team. They took charge of all tasks of organising, conducting and closing all activities from preparation of materials through giving instructions to cleaning the premises. They proved their good planning, communication and colaboration skills.
All in all it was an inspiring, informative, properly organised and enjoyable learning experience for both students and teachers.
Events and experiences of the week will be published in the project blog, the local newspaper, on the school website and will be part of the student portfolios.