What is Erasmus+ Job Shadowing?
Spend an entire week experiencing Finnish school life from the inside: observe lessons, follow teachers’ daily routines and discover how digital learning is used in practice. Designed for teachers and education professionals from across Europe, the programme gives you a close look at one of the world’s most respected education systems.
Other options:
What you’ll experience?
Join a professional development opportunity where you get to shadow Finnish teachers, experience the day-to-day of Finnish schools and reflect on educational practice in one of the world’s most respected education systems. According to our program survey: 92 % of participants rated the experience as “Excellent” or “Very Good”, and 88 % reported a direct impact on their teaching methods.
During your visit you will:
- Observe lessons and teaching practices in Finnish schools.
- Analyse how Finnish pedagogy emphasises student-centred learning, trust and digital tools.
- Interact with Finnish teachers and reflect on how the Finnish system could inform your own practice.
- Gain a certificate of completion and access associated online learning resources.
Who is this for?
This opportunity is designed for participants with Erasmus grant, including:
- Teachers and teacher students at all levels: kindergarten, pre-primary, primary, lower and upper secondary, and vocational education
- Educational support staff interested in observing daily school life, culture and practices
- School leaders, Erasmus+ coordinators and staff responsible for professional development
How it works?
- Registration – Complete our online form to register.
- Practical arrangements – After registration and payment, we will start the process of finding a school for the job shadowing visit. Information about your placement, schedule and logistics will be sent at the latest two weeks in advance.
- On-site shadowing week – Observe Finnish teachers in action, engage with school staff and reflect on your insights.
- Certification – You receive a certificate aligned with Erasmus+ requirements.
Dates & Destinations
- The standard format covers five days of job shadowing.
- Available dates are from January 15 to May 15, and from September 1 to December 15.
- Some dates in 2026 are unavailable due to holidays or exams:
- Winter holiday (in the Helsinki Metropolitan area) February 16 – 20
- Autumn holiday (in the Helsinki Metropolitan area) October 12 – 16
- National holidays April 3, April 6, May 1, May 14
- For high schools in Finland, job-shadowing is not available:
Spring: January 26 – February 3; March 9 – April 2
Autumn: September 14 – 30; November 16 – 24
- We arrange job shadowing in the Helsinki metropolitan area for groups of 2 or more; individual visitors will be placed in cities reachable via public transportation. For vocational placements, the location will be outside the metropolitan region but with a commuting time of up to two hours from Helsinki.
- Note that in the metropolitan areas, the one-way traveling time from the city center (central railway station) to your assigned school can take up to one hour using public transport.
What’s included? / What’s not included?
What is included:
- Five-day job shadowing week in a Finnish school.
- School lunch.
- Certificate of attendance aligned with your Erasmus+ mobility.
- Free 60-day access to Finnish Education Online Courses
What is NOT included:
- Travel to and from Finland (flights or other international transport).
- Accommodation, local living expenses, and meals (school lunches are included).
- Any visa or insurance costs if applicable.
Pricing
- All registrations must be completed via our online registration form. Payments may be made by credit card or bank transfer. Once payment is confirmed, we proceed to book a matching host school.
- Pricing (excluding Finnish VAT 25.5%):
- Standard fee: €350 per person.
- Mandatory lunch package: €50 per week per participant.
- Visiting a different school during your stay: additional €100 per participant.
- Extra days beyond the five-day week: €50 per participant per day.
- Registrations made less than 60 days before the visit date incur an extra €100 per participant.
Accommodation
Helsinki, Finland
You may select your preferred accommodation. We recommend staying close to the central railway station in the city centre for convenient access to public transportation and major sights. We have negotiated special rates or discounts with different companies for different budgets, you can read more here.
General Information
Click here for more information on Helsinki.
Job Shadowing in Finland:
- 5 Job Shadowing days in a Finnish school
- Assistance for visitors when needed
- Choose your preferred school level
- Accommodation discount codes after registration
What our clients say
Read the latest testimonials from our job shadowing participants
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Teacher Job Shadowing and Erasmus+ Job Shadowing?
| What is the difference? | Erasmus+ Job Shadowing | Teacher Job Shadowing | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assistance with logistics, transportation, and cultural programs | ||||||||
| For participants without an Erasmus+ grant | ||||||||
| Tailored for Erasmus+ funding to fit within Erasmus+ requirements | ||||||||
| Basic fee includes 5 Job Shadowing days | ||||||||
| Briefing session and escorting to school on the first day | ||||||||
| A wrap-up meeting with our educational expert | ||||||||
| Basic fee includes 3 Job Shadowing days | ||||||||
Can I choose which school level I shadow?
Yes. Participants may indicate their preferred type of school — kindergarten, primary, secondary or vocational — and we do our best to place them in settings that match their background and interests.
Available options include:
- Kindergartens (ages 1–5)
- Pre-primary (age 6)
- Primary schools (ages 7–12)
- Lower secondary schools (ages 13–15)
- Upper secondary / high schools (ages 16–18)
- Vocational schools (ages 16–18)
Universities are not available for our Erasmus+ Job Shadowing -programme. We recommend contacting Finnish universities directly.
How can I choose my preferred dates for job shadowing?
You are free to select any available dates for your job shadowing experience (see the Dates & Destinations section above). During the online registration, you can include your preferred dates in the “Customer provided note” field on the checkout page.
Can I choose the school or the municipality of the school?
You cannot select the exact school or municipality yourself. We match you with a host school based on your professional profile, preferences, and the availability of suitable mentors. Your confirmed placement will be shared no later than two weeks before your visit begins.
If you are travelling individually — or if your group is placed in a vocational school — you can safely book your flights to Helsinki. We will inform you of the final destination city afterwards, along with clear travel instructions on how to get there.
Naturally, we recommend that other groups also consider experiencing the charm of the smaller cities, such as Turku, Jyväskylä, or Lahti.
We have specific focus areas in our Erasmus project. Can you find a school that matches them?
We always do our best to place you in a school that aligns with your professional background and interests—whether that relates to age groups, subject areas, special education, language immersion, or other priorities. However, it is not always possible to meet every request. Registering early greatly increases the chance of finding a strong match.
It is also important to remember that Finnish teachers have a high degree of professional autonomy. Each teacher chooses their own methods, so we cannot guarantee that specific themes—such as phenomenon-based learning, the use of AI, or outdoor learning—will appear in lessons during your visit.
That said, job shadowing offers many opportunities to discuss pedagogy, tools, and everyday practices directly with Finnish teachers. You will be able to explore how they approach your topics of interest, what they use in their classrooms, and what has worked well in their experience.
How long are the job shadowing days?
Most Finnish school days begin around 8:00 – 9:00 and finish by approximately 15:00. Your daily timetable will follow the schedule of the teachers you are shadowing, so the exact hours may vary from day to day.
Please keep in mind that primary schools often have shorter teaching days, typically 4 – 6 hours. If your project requires a longer working schedule, we can provide online learning modules to complement your job shadowing programme.
Note that in the metropolitan areas, the one-way traveling time from the city center (central railway station) to your assigned school can take up to one hour using public transport.
Will I receive a programme, schedule or agenda for the job shadowing days?
Finnish schools have the freedom to organise job shadowing in the way that best fits their daily routines. Some host schools prepare a detailed schedule in advance, but in most cases you will receive your timetable on the first morning, including information about which teachers you will follow.
Because job shadowing is based on real classroom observation and interaction, each experience is slightly different and cannot be fully standardised. This flexibility is part of its value — being open and curious will help you get the most out of your visit.
Will I go to the same school as my colleagues?
Groups of up to five people are usually placed in the same school. However, if your group includes teachers from different educational levels — such as primary and secondary — you may be assigned to different schools to ensure the placement matches your professional background.
We recommend that at least two colleagues visit the same school whenever possible, as it allows you to reflect on your experiences together.
Please note that Finnish schools organise job shadowing so that no more than two visiting teachers observe the same Finnish mentor teacher at a time.
Will I have meetings with Finnish teachers to learn more about Finnish education?
Finnish teachers are generally happy to share their experiences, but their schedules can be tight, as lesson preparation often begins immediately after teaching. Throughout the week, you will naturally find short moments for questions and informal conversations, and these often provide valuable insights.
If you would like guaranteed, uninterrupted time with a Finnish education expert, we recommend our hosted Teacher Job Shadowing programme, which includes two dedicated meetings for deeper discussion and reflection.
What are the benefits and learning outcomes of participating in Erasmus Job Shadowing?
Erasmus Job Shadowing gives you the chance to observe daily school life in another country, learn from experienced colleagues, and return home with practical tools you can use immediately. The experience is designed to support your professional growth, broaden your educational perspective, and strengthen your role within your organisation.
Professional development
You will deepen the competences that are essential for your work—whether you are teaching, coordinating, or supporting learners. By observing real classroom practice, guidance routines, leadership structures, or support services, you gain concrete methods you can apply in your own context.
Insight into different education systems
Job shadowing helps you understand how schools abroad organise learning, support students, use digital tools, collaborate with families, and develop inclusive environments. This wider perspective often leads to new ideas and better decision-making when you return to your own organisation.
New ideas and inspiration
Seeing how other professionals work—how they plan lessons, manage learning environments, assess progress, or use technology—provides fresh inspiration. Many participants report improved motivation and renewed enthusiasm for their daily work.
Stronger intercultural and communication skills
Living and learning in an international environment naturally strengthens your intercultural awareness, language skills, and ability to collaborate across cultures—competences that are increasingly important in modern education.
Impact on your organisation
Your job shadowing experience can support the development of your whole school or training centre. You return with new practices, examples, and tools that can help improve teaching quality, teamwork, international activities, and the overall learning environment.
Personal growth and confidence
Experiencing a new setting builds confidence, independence, and a broader understanding of how diverse classrooms and communities function. Many participants describe the experience as professionally meaningful and personally transformative.
How can I get a VAT exemption? What kind of document is needed?
There are two options to qualify for VAT exemption:
- If your country is part of the European Union, and your school/organization has a valid VAT number (you can check it in VIES), please introduce the number, including the country code, on the checkout page in “EU VAT Number”.
- If your country is not part of the European Union, please send an official document, such as a tax certificate or trade register extract from your country, to info@visitedufin.com, and we will provide you with a link for registration without VAT.
What should I do if I need to cancel my participation?
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation by participant
All cancellations must be made by email to info@visitedufinn.com. If unable to attend, the registered person may be substituted by someone else from the same organization by sending a notification to info@visitedufinn.com. In case of a cancellation after the payment, the amount paid to date remains as a cancellation fee.
Cancellation by VisitEDUfinn
In case the shadowing is cancelled due to force majeure situation, we will postpone the visit until the shadowing is possible again. VisitEDUfinn is not responsible for any damage caused by the cancellation and strongly recommends purchasing flexible flight tickets and accommodation.
I need an invitation letter for visa purposes. Can you send me one?
We can provide an official invitation letter once full payment has been received. If your visa application is rejected and you provide official proof of the refusal, we will refund your payment. Please note that a 100 € (Excl. VAT) administrative fee is deducted from the refund.
What if I want to do job shadowing in Spain?
No worries, we offer job shadowing in Spain as well! Experience a one-week school immersion in Spain’s large urban areas, where you can observe classroom practices, school culture and digital learning in action. This option offers teachers and education professionals a chance to learn directly from Spanish schools while using Erasmus+ funding. You will follow everyday lessons, gain new pedagogical insights and receive a certificate suitable for Erasmus+ staff mobility. In Spain, the job shadowing schools are located in the biggest Spanish cities with more than 500,000 inhabitants. Contact us at info@visitedufinn.com for more information.