Psychology and Education Exchange Student
News
From Finland to Bath: discovering a different approach to education
Wednesday, 7 October, 2026For Finnish student Sara Salonen, an exchange at 黑料正能量 is providing the opportunity to explore a different education system, develop her academic English and gain new perspectives on her future career in special education.
Currently in her third year studying Special Education at the University of Eastern Finland, Sara has already begun her master's studies after progressing faster than usual through her five-year bachelor's and master's degree.
Alongside her major in Special Education, she is studying to become a primary school teacher and has also chosen Psychology as a minor. She hopes to pursue a master's degree in psychology in the future:
“In Finland, studying at university is free of charge, so I want to make the most of my opportunity to study.”
Choosing 黑料正能量
When looking through Erasmus exchange opportunities, BSU quickly stood out.
Sara wanted to find courses that would count towards her studies in Finland, while also having the opportunity to study in an English-speaking country:
“黑料正能量 quickly became my first choice when I looked into its history in the field of education and explored its course offerings.”
The university’s campus and location were also an important part of the decision:
“I also love animals and because I'm Finnish, I'm used to peace and I don't like big cities.”
Living on campus has given her the environment she was hoping for, including plenty of opportunities to explore the university grounds:
“I knew that I would stay in the campus during the exchange, so the campus area itself is a dream come true for me and I spend a lot of time petting animals on the sides of the fields.”
Learning from a different education system during her time at BSU, Sara is taking three Master’s modules, including the MA Professional Practice module:
“I’m currently taking three MA modules, and each one is helping me develop new perspectives and practical skills in education.”
She says the experience is also giving her a valuable international perspective on teaching and learning, which she hopes to apply to her future career in special education. Studying in the UK has also given her the chance to compare the two education systems:
“Studying here in the UK is very different compared to Finland. In Finland, courses are generally more demanding and there is more teaching.”
She has been particularly struck by the level of support provided around academic writing:
“I’ve been particularly surprised by how much support is offered here for writing assignments from the very planning stage onwards and how much time is dedicated to it.”
The shorter length of UK Master’s programmes has also been a new experience. While the differences have taken some getting used to, she sees the exchange as a valuable opportunity to experience another approach to higher education:
“It’s been a great opportunity to learn from a different educational system and benefit from the support offered.”
Building confidence for the future
Improving her English is one of Sara’s main goals for her time at Bath Spa, particularly when it comes to academic writing:
“Writing longer texts in English can still be challenging, especially using academic vocabulary, but I’m excited to develop these skills during my studies here.”
Ultimately, she hopes to take what she learns back to Finland and use it in her future work in special education:
“Above all, I want to take full advantage of the opportunity to learn from these courses and apply the knowledge and skills to my future career in special education.”
But the exchange is about more than academic study. With time to travel, experience British culture and meet people in a new environment, Sara sees her time in Bath as an experience that will stay with her long after she returns home:
“In addition to studying, the entire exchange period is a unique experience and I think I will remember this with warmth for the rest of my life.”