This blog post presents a research-based social-support intervention designed to address the mental health challenges faced by international students at the University of Helsinki. Based on survey data, Social Support Theory, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), the project proposes a structured peer-support and mentorship activity to promote belonging, resilience, and community connection. The post highlights how strengthened social networks can serve as an effective

This poster presents a short research project based on classroom observations at Espoo International School, focusing on experiential learning practices in everyday teaching. About the Author Lucía Liting Jorge Gómez, Ayumu Ochi and Ichiro Hondo are master’s students at the University of Helsinki. As part of the Practical Observation course, they carried out a five-day practical observation period at Espoo International School, where they observed different grade levels and

As 2025 tutors for the Changing Education (CE) programme, we organized several activities to welcome the newcomers. It’s always exciting to meet new people and refreshing to see passionate educators from all over the world. Every discussion and introduction lights up new opportunities and inspires me as a second-year student. Among all the activities we held, I would like to highlight the collage workshop . It was intentionally designed to create an inclusive space, especiall

Introduction In contemporary educational discourse, the image of the "ideal student" is often taken for granted: self-motivated, emotionally regulated, compliant, and high-achieving. However, it must be noted that this figure is not a neutral benchmark, but rather a construct shaped by underlying power relations. This essay draws upon Moya Lloyd's Beyond Identity Politics (2005) to explore how power is manifested through educational norms, constructing and privileging ce

Adolescence (typically ages 10 to 19) is a crucial developmental period characterized by rapid cognitive, emotional, and social growth (APA, 2018). During this stage, teenagers navigate increasing demands for independence, identity formation, and academic development. Our research explores how incorporating play-based learning (PBL) into secondary education can fundamentally transform the classroom to meet adolescents' core psychological needs and strengthen vital teacher-stu

This study design aims to explore Indonesian adolescents’ awareness of the risks associated with TikTok, using focus group discussions to understand how they perceive and navigate both immediate and cumulative dangers, such as privacy issues, addiction, and mental health effects. It aims to fill a research gap by examining not just the risks themselves but also how adolescents learn about them and the factors influencing their awareness. 1. INTRODUCTION TikTok has rapidly