Planning an educational trip abroad takes more than booking flights and hotels. Whether you’re organizing a group visit to Finnish or Estonian schools or joining one of our professional development courses, understanding the application process from the start saves time and sets your group up for a meaningful experience. If you’re ready to explore what we offer, our study tour programs are a great place to begin.
This guide walks through the key stages of applying for a study tour program with VisitEDUfinn, from initial preparation to what comes next once your application is accepted. The process is straightforward, and we’re here to support you at every step.
What to prepare before submitting your application
A strong application starts well before you hit submit. Taking time to gather the right information upfront makes the process smoother and helps us tailor the experience to your group’s needs.
Start by clarifying the purpose of your visit. Are you interested in inclusive pedagogy, digital transformation in education, well-being, or leadership practices? Knowing your group’s professional focus helps us match you with the right schools, expert sessions, and workshops. Our multi-day study tours cover a wide range of themes, and the more specific you can be about your interests, the better we can customize the program.
You’ll also want to have the following details ready before applying:
- Group size and the professional background of participants (teachers, school leaders, policymakers, etc.)
- Preferred travel dates or a general timeframe that works for your group
- Country preference: Estonia, Finland, or both as part of our benchmarking program
- Any special requirements, such as language preferences, accessibility needs, or specific school types (kindergartens, primary, secondary, or vocational institutions)
Having this information organized in advance means we can respond quickly with a relevant program proposal rather than going back and forth with basic logistics questions.
Walking through the application process
Submitting an educational travel application with us is designed to be simple and conversational rather than bureaucratic. We treat every inquiry as the start of a dialogue, not a form to be processed.
The first step is reaching out through our website or contacting us directly with your group’s details. From there, we’ll follow up to discuss your goals, suggest a program structure, and clarify any open questions. For groups with specific themes or tight schedules, this initial conversation is where we start shaping a customized itinerary.
Once the program outline is agreed upon, we’ll send a formal proposal that includes the schedule, school visits, expert lectures or workshops, and pricing. This is the point where you can request adjustments before anything is confirmed. We work with you to make sure the program genuinely fits your group’s professional development goals.
After you confirm the proposal, we’ll guide you through the next practical steps, which typically include signing a program agreement and arranging the initial payment. Our team handles the school coordination, logistics, and scheduling on your behalf, so you can focus on preparing your group for the visit itself.
What happens after your application is accepted
Once your professional development course application is confirmed, the real preparation begins on our end. We coordinate directly with the schools and institutions your group will visit, arrange expert speakers, and build a detailed day-by-day schedule tailored to your program.
You’ll receive a full program brief well in advance of your travel dates. This document covers the visit schedule, contact information, practical travel tips, and any pre-reading or preparation materials that help participants get the most out of each school visit or workshop session.
Throughout the lead-up to your trip, our team stays in contact to answer questions and handle any changes that come up. On the ground in Estonia or Finland, we provide support to make sure everything runs smoothly, from school arrivals to group reflections at the end of each day.
After the program concludes, we often follow up with participants to gather feedback and discuss whether a return visit, a virtual school tour, or a different program theme might suit the group’s next professional development step. Many of the educators who travel with us come back with new questions and a deeper curiosity about what both the Finnish and Estonian education systems have to offer.