A Journey into Adult Education	March 2025
	What I Learned from AIPE in Turku
INSIDE __ First Impressions Step into AIPE, where every smile tells a story of resilience and hope. My first glimpse. __ School Atmosphere Warmth, inclusivity, and cultural exchange � a safe haven for growth and belonging. __ Teacher-Student Dynamics Discover what makes AIPE�s classrooms so unique.
__ Students� Stories Courage, adaptation, and dreams; hear directly from AIPE�s students. __ Lessons Learned What AIPE taught me.	First Impressions By Ronya Sleiman �It�s my first time studying at a school, back home we had groups in which we would study some English and a little bit of mathematics.� This is what a 20-year-old student told me when he was asked how he feels about studying at AIPE. This school prepares those above 17 years old without a study background/with incomplete comprehensive school studies and have a non-Finnish mother tongue. More about AIPE can be found here: https://tai.fi/en/basic-education-for-adults/ Upon arrival, I was greeted with many smiles from students with unfamiliar faces. When entering the classroom I was going to be attending and observing, the homeroom teacher (of graduating class) along with the teacher who was responsible for the upcoming lesson both warmly welcomed me. They assured that I was comfortable and not left without guidance. I immediately noticed how unproblematic the environment was. The students in class seemed eager to engage with me and many individually welcomed me as well. I�m ashamed to say that my expectations pre-visit were rather different, I assumed that there would be a simple and stale atmosphere, similar to other schools. Yet, I was proven completely wrong.

Teacher-Student Dynamics By Ronya Sleiman While observing the classes, my attention was taken by the interactions between the teachers and students. There was a specific patience when the teachers communicated with their students. Simply through their interactions, the mutual respect they had for each other was visible. A great example of this is the ruling on phones during class. I observed four different teachers teach, all with different styles. Yet something they all had in common was their attitude regarding phones during class time. Students freely displayed their phones out on their desks without a reaction from their teachers. On some occasions the student would use it to check the time or message someone. The moment the teacher believed it was distracting the student from the lesson, a small comment was given (e.g., �*students name* your phone�). And surprisingly, without any complain, groans, or even a single eyeroll, the students would listen immediately. When I asked one of the teachers about this, they replied, �I understand sometimes they need to use a translator.� & �These students are still dealing with the trauma and culture shock of arriving here.� This response meant a lot to me, it showed how mindful the teachers are with the students. A lot of energy isn�t wasted on strict rulings, but rather making the transition to this new place smooth for the students. Along with all of this, it was particularly rare to see a student not following the lesson. Active listening and participation seemed to be the standard. I understood this standard as the respect given back to the teachers by the students. Another element I adored about their interactions was good-natured teasing between them. Teachers and students interacted like close friends. Displays of humorous banter (e.g., winking/funny facial expressions to indicate joke, endearing nicknames, inside jokes, etc.) were tremendously common to witness. This was a very heart-warming and eye-opening observation for me.

School Atmosphere By Ronya Sleiman As previously mentioned, the school�s atmosphere was extremely positive. There was a certain warmth it. I soon noticed that this welcomeness of the environment wasn�t specifically presented for me, but it was integrated into the culture there. The cultural exchange within the school has led to this constructive atmosphere. Teachers are extremely considerate of students� backgrounds. It is an understatement to say that these students have experienced difficulties in life. Bearing in mind this knowledge, teachers make a great effort to add playful tones to the study atmosphere. I witnessed teachers make funny comments in the mother tongues of the students, displaying understanding, acceptance, and respect to the diversity in the class. In return, the students exhibited comfortability and security in their environment.

Students� Stories By Ronya Sleiman �I am twenty years old. I have lived in Finland for three years. I have been studying at this school for about three years. The school is good, and the teachers are good. I love the school and I love the teachers. I wouldn�t change anything about my school.� �I am eighteen years old. I have lived in Finland for around three years. I like this school because the teachers are very nice/cute. I am now studying at this school because I need a basic education certificate, and this is a good school. After studying basic education, I want to go to high school.� �I have been living in Finland for three years now because my home country is not a safe place to live due to the war. I have nothing much to complain about to the school, personally I would change the school timetable (to start later).�

Lessons Learned By Ronya Sleiman My two-day visit to AIPE, that I thought would merely provide me with writing material, led to be a spectacular experience leaving me with a fresh outlook on the daily life of students. After my visit, complaining about my studies/school feels arrogant. Students at AIPE deal with learning a new language (for most two; English as well), then studying in said new language, all while juggling adult life in a new country. My visit has shown me resilience of the students and the sympathy of the teachers. I believe the cultural diversity is faced with admiration at AIPE. Students are supported for their differences, encouraged to practice their culture/beliefs, all while simultaneously being taught Finnish culture. The students I met reminded me that learning has no age limit, and that every classroom is a gateway to new possibilities. When with them, I couldn�t help but think education isn�t just about learning, it�s about belonging, growing, and finding your place in the world. Let us now learn from AIPE, let�s not just tolerate diversity, let�s celebrate it. The more we learn from each other, the richer our communities become.

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