The BIDS project brought a total of 20 participants to Oulu from across Europe and even Canada in May 2025.

The overarching theme of the module held in Oulu is inclusion, which was examined from various perspectives. Over the course of one and a half weeks, students worked together on this broad concept from many different angles. A strong focus was on the perspective of working life: how diversity is reflected in the hiring process and how to find one’s strengths in the workplace. The theme was also addressed through strength-based thinking, the perspective of self-esteem enhancement, psychological safety and nature pedagogy.

Vanessa Woodacre, NBCC, Canada
Vanessa’s background in teaching students with special needs, mental health issues, and international students has influenced her views on inclusion. She has learned various languages, including sign language and Arabic, to meet her students where they are. Vanessa believes that cultural backgrounds need to be respected and included.

Vanessa described the impact of inclusion on her experience in Finland as deeply significant. “Inclusion seems to be a fabric of life in Finland, with values and ethics that are lived in daily life for everyone, not just in schools”. She appreciated the shared experiences between teachers and students that are filled with respect and the hands-on learning approach. She also highlighted the feelings of peacefulness, calmness, and the interplay of nature and education, which contributed to a friendly and inclusive environment. Overall, Vanessa found the inclusive and supportive environment in Finland to be inspiring and plans to share these ideas and experiences with her colleagues back in Canada.

Erin Chiswell, NBCC, Canada
Erin Chiswell shared some valuable insights about teaching and inclusion in schools during his experience in Finland. She found it very interesting to see how inclusion is implemented in the Finnish school system. “Teachers in Finland genuinely care for their students, not just the curriculum. They encourage students to explore new ideas and change their paths if needed, rather than sticking to a predetermined plan”, Erin told.

One of the most important aspects Erin noted was that students in Finland learn how to plan for their future. They are taught to identify their goals, strengths and areas where they might need improvement, and to adapt and change to meet their goals. This ability to plan and adapt is seen as a valuable skill that will serve them well in various areas of life.

Ashlie White, NBCC, Canada
Ashlie White had similar experiences to Erin Chiswell during their time in Finland. Both of them found the inclusive atmosphere and the welcoming nature of the people in Finland to be very positive.

Ashlie described the impact of inclusion on her experience in Finland as highly significant. Ashlie emphasized that inclusion is evident in every aspect of life, from gender and sexuality to race and individual values. Ashlie noted that helping someone with an intellectual or physical disability is integrated into daily life, and this inclusive approach is visible in family dynamics and other interactions.

Fatima Abbas Abdul Karim, Tradium, Denmark
Fatima had a very positive experience during her visit to Finland. ”The people in Finland are generally happy and welcoming. This experience is one of the best things in my life, especially the joy of meeting new people”. She appreciated the inclusive atmosphere in Finland, where everyone feels welcome, regardless of their race or religion. and has opportunities to find jobs.

At the same time, the Digitalization module of the BIDS project is taking place in the Netherlands, where the program focuses on the diversity and opportunities of digitalization.

BIDS – Bridging Inclusion, Digitalization and Sustainability

The BIDS project aims to strengthening partnerships to support the development and implementation of internationalization strategies in Vocational education. Project also targets to improve and ensure quality in the student and staff mobilities. The BIDS project is co-funded by the European Union.