The two-year e-counseling/Ecco project will conclude at the end of 2023. The last international exchange for teachers as part of the project began in the festive mood of the National Teacher´s Day at Hanoi National University of Education. The festivities were interesting to follow, and we had the opportunity to wear the national dress of Vietnam. It was a great honor.

At the same time in Hanoi, there were three bachelor-level students from Savonia; Viivi was on a three-month exchange, while Emmi and Tanja were on a three-week exchange. The students had the task of developing micro-modules related to e-counselling as part of their learning activities.

Picture 1. Teacher´s Day in Hanoi on 21 November

The exchange included numerous collaborative meetings with university staff. The aim of these collaboration meetings was to develop and finalize the micromodules produced during the project and to prepare the program for the project’s final seminar. Additionally, we discussed how the collaboration could be continued.

During the exchange, we had the opportunity to deepen our collaboration with working life. We visited various workplaces during the exchange, including:

Private Midori Center, which provides day rehabilitation and collaborates with daycare and preschool. The center’s rehabilitation methods include individual, group, and family support. The center supports a child’s growth alongside the family. The center is suitable for practical training for Bachelor’s degree students in social services and physiotherapy. The staff and families speak English.

Another interesting field visit was to Clever Hands Library, a library designed for blind children. The activities are based on early support and storytelling. The core idea of the center is that every parent is the best and first supporter of their child’s rehabilitation. The center’s strength also lies in voluntary work. The staff speaks English. Handcrafted children’s books were truly remarkable. Read more at Lễ ra mắt Thư viện Bàn tay khéo léo – Grand Opening Day of Clever Hands Library | Facebook

Picture 2. Visit to Clever Hands Library

We also had the opportunity to visit Pham Rang City located in the Nihn Thuani region in Vietnam.  We had a field visit to Aloha School (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wZ0Dt5Iir0). The outdoor kindergarten is based on Emilia Reggio pedagogy, emphasizing child-centered thinking and experiential learning. The private kindergarten also has an English language teacher.

Edurainbow is a private rehabilitation service aimed at children with special needs. Families are supported with an individual rehabilitation program for each child, with rehabilitation sessions scheduled after school.

The exchange program was very interesting and impactful. We hope for our fruitful cooperation to continue. Warm thanks to the lecturers at Hanoi National University of Education and representatives from the working life for the exchange program.

Writers:

Pirjo Turunen, Principal Lecturer of Social Sciences, Savonia University of Applied Sciences
Johanna Komulainen, Lecturer of Social Sciences, Savonia University of Applied Sciences

Read more: http://english.hnue.edu.vn/