Students Experience Studying Changing Education (CE) in Finland: The Good, The Challenges, and What Needs to Change

Students in the Changing Education (CE) programme at the University of Helsinki have reported that their academic experience has been both unique and eye-opening. Given that students in the programme come from diverse parts of the world, they have had the opportunity to share varied experiences, engage in deep reflection, and express honest opinions about aspects of the programme that are effective as well as those that require improvement.

This finding is based on feedback collected from participants who attended the 2026 CE Edu Café event held on 18 March 2026 at Condoori. Prior to the commencement of the event, three key questions were written on separate A3 sheets and displayed on the wall. The questions were: “What is/are the best thing(s) about studying in CE?”, “What has been the most difficult thing(s) while studying in CE?”, and “What do you want to be fixed or changed in CE?”.

Participants were instructed to provide their responses anonymously by writing on sticky notes and attaching them to the corresponding A3 sheets. The responses gathered through this process represent the collective views of the students and provide valuable insights into their experiences within the programme. The responses are as follows:

What is/are the BEST thing(s) about studying in CE?

One of the best things about CE is the diversity. You meet people from different countries, cultures, and educational backgrounds. This exposure helps you understand how education works globally and opens your mind to new ideas.

Another strong point is the freedom in research. Students can tailor their research to their own interests, which makes learning more meaningful and relevant. The programme also provides a wide range of research opportunities, supported by experienced lecturers who guide rather than pressure students.

Interestingly, CE is quite different from traditional systems. There are no rigid tests, and the learning environment is very democratic. Many students feel safe expressing their opinions, debating ideas, and exploring solutions to real-life educational problems.

Also, the people make the programme enjoyable from supportive lecturers to helpful senior students and classmates. Group work and collaboration are common, helping students develop practical solutions and teamwork skills.

Most importantly, CE equips students with tools and resources to improve education systems globally, while also giving them time and space to explore new ideas they may not have considered before.

What has been the most DIFFICULT thing(s) while studying in CE?

Despite all these benefits, the programme is not without its difficulties.

One major issue is the fast pace and heavy workload. Some periods, especially periods 3 and 4, are very intense, with overlapping courses and multiple assignments like mini studies. This makes it hard to balance other activities or even personal life.

Another challenge is time management, especially with frequent group work. It can be difficult to find a common time that works for everyone.

Some students also struggle with quantitative and qualitative courses, while others mention that some lectures are not interactive enough, making them hard to follow.

Adjusting to a new education system and culture can also be challenging, especially for international students. Add to that seasonal depression during winter, and the experience can become overwhelming.

There are also concerns about programme organization, such as inconsistent schedules, overlapping timetables, and limited opportunities for deeper learning in some courses.

What do you want to be FIXED or CHANGED in CE?

Students have shared several suggestions to make the CE programme better:

To improve the programme, students believe there should be more practical and hands-on experiences, such as internships in educational organisations, increased fieldwork, and more visits to Finnish schools and institutions to learn directly from the system.

There is also a strong need for courses to go deeper into topics instead of covering many areas at a surface level, while ensuring the schedule is more balanced and consistent, especially during busy periods.

In addition, lectures should be more interactive and engaging, rather than relying mainly on reading slides. Students also emphasised the importance of having more global discussions, particularly on how Finnish education policies and practices can be applied in other countries.

Better coordination between courses is needed to reduce overlap and confusion, alongside more action-based learning opportunities that allow students to actively contribute and act as experts. Some students even suggested that the name of the programme could be reviewed to better reflect its strong focus on educational research.

My Final Thoughts

Overall, the CE programme is a powerful and transformative experience because I am also a student of CE. It creates a safe and inclusive space where students can grow academically and personally. However, like every system, there is room for improvement.

by Olugbenga Samuel Adegoke - 2026 CE Trainee.