In 2023 I had the privilege of joining an Erasmus+ professional development course on sustainability in Ivalo, Finnish Lapland. The programme combined rigorous input on education for sustainable development with inspiring examples of how local traditions—reindeer herding, Sámi crafts, and respect for nature—can meet modern pedagogy and digital tools. Workshops and lesson-design sessions helped me translate big concepts such as climate literacy, circular economy and responsible tourism into practical, age-appropriate classroom activities for English lessons. Outdoor field activities and reflective discussions made the learning memorable and transferable. Equally valuable was the collegial atmosphere: exchanging ideas with fellow teachers, observing different school cultures, and building lasting networks. Encounters with the land and its people; winter walks, cultural visits and shared meals; deepened my understanding of place-based learning. I returned highly motivated, with concrete materials and renewed confidence to embed sustainability meaningfully in everyday teaching.
Sebastian Schröder in Ivalo, Finland, October 2023