Malta Training Course 2026

First Impressions of Malta

We arrived in Malta and had our first contact with Maltese culture.

We visited Valletta, exploring its typical streets and surroundings, and enjoyed a beautiful view from the Upper Barrakka Gardens overlooking the Three Cities, including Birgu.

 We visited St. John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta, one of the island’s most impressive  bulding

Its richly decorated interior, full of gold details and artistic masterpieces, reflects the deep historical and cultural heritage of Malta. The cathedral is also home to a famous work by Caravaggio, making the visit even more meaningful as we connected art, history, and culture..

Enjoying Grand Pace 

After enjoying the atmosphere of the Grand Place, we headed back to the hotel for dinner. We spent the evening relaxing and getting ready for the bext  big day ahead where we discovered Brussels and learnt about the working of the Eurooean Community. The first day of our trip to visit the European Parliament had finally arrived. We arrived in the late afternoon, around 6 p.m., full of excitement and ready to explore.

Visit to the European Parliament 

Today we learned about the functioning of the European Parliament thanks to the Member of the European Parliament Oihane Agirregoitia. However, due to family reasons, we were finally welcomed by her assistant, who gave us a very clear and detailed explanation of the work carried out in this The European Parliament is one of the main institutions of the European Union and directly represents the citizens of the Member States. . 

Visit to the Parlamentarium

 Before entering the hemicycle, we visited the Parlamentarium, the European Parliament’s visitor centre in Brussels. It is an interactive exhibition space where visitors can learn about the history, structure, and work of the European Union.There, we learned in an interactive way how the European Union works, how laws are made, and how its decisions affect citizens’ daily lives.  .

 A taste of Finnish Tradition

 During the visit, we were also told how the voting process works. MEPs can vote in different ways: by a show of hands, by electronic vote, or, in some cases, by roll-call vote, where each representative’s vote is recorded. Most votes are carried out electronically from their seats.

In addition, we had the opportunity to visit the hemicycle, the space where the most important debates and votes take place. It is a large and modern chamber designed to accommodate representatives from all Member States. Important decisions that directly affect the lives of millions of European citizens are made there, which makes the atmosphere especially solemn and meaningful.

Reflection on our role as European citizen 

The visit helped us better understand how democracy works at the European level and appreciate the importance of dialogue, cooperation,  among countries. It was a very enriching experience that brought us closer to the institutional work of the European Union from the inside.

The visit also made us reflect on our role as responsible European citizens. Sometimes Europe may seem distant from our daily lives, but experiences like this help us understand that the decisions made there have a direct impact on all of us

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 Brussels City Hall

During our trip, we also visited the City of Brussels Town Hall, located in the beautiful Grand Place.

We learned that the Town Hall is responsible for the local government of Brussels, managing public services, urban planning, culture, and other daily matters that affect citizens. This visit helped us understand the difference between local institutions and larger ones like the European Parliament, which makes decisions at a European level.

Reflection on Today's Visit

 The visits to both the City of Brussels Town Hall and the European Parliament were especially interesting and enriching. They allowed us to understand how different levels of government work , from local to European, and how their decisions impact citizens’ daily lives. It was a valuable experience that helped us see democracy in action and better appreciate the importance of civic participation. 

 Exploring Medieval Beauty and Modern Life Ghent 

During Our visit to Ghent was a truly enriching experience, combining history, culture, and stunning architecture. From the moment we arrived, we were impressed by the charm of its streets, canals, and historic buildings, which reflect the city’s important role in medieval Europe.

Reflection on today's visit

In Ghent, the students took part in a cultural visit around the historic city center. They discovered Flemish art at Saint Bavo´s Cathedral, and walking around the picturesque Graslei and Korenlei . Throught the day , they observed the medieval architecture, worked together on a small culture tasks, and reflected on the historical and artistic importance of the city.

 Reflection on the trip to Ghent

During students´trip to Ghent, students were  impressed by the city´s beautiful medieval architecture, especially the canals and historic buildings in the city centre. Walking through the old streets allowed them to better understand the history and culture of Flanders while enjoying its atmosphere. The visit helped them appreciate the importance of perserving cultural heritage.

Exploring the Atomium: A Journey Through Science and Architecture

 During students´visit to the Atomium , the students explored this iconic structure .Theysaw it from outsede and took some pictures. The visit was very memorable for them as they had already seen many times in the books. AThes the weather was very good, it was also a good time for a picnic .

Relaxing and walking in Petit Sablon Park 

The students and teachers´ next visit was Square du Petit Sablon, they explored the beautiful gardens and they walked along their paths. They also  admired the nearby Church of Our Lady of the Sablon and learnt about its history. 

The viusit allowed them to apprecdiate the ombination of art, history, and nature, and thry reflected 

Discussion on Digitalization I 

During our visit, we were shown the English Matriculation Exam, a six-hour assessment that includes multiple listening and reading tasks, an audio-based production of 217 words, a response to a prompt, and a writing task requiring students to tell a story. The exam is very similar to the First Certificate (B2 level), although the English teacher noted that its difficulty is closer to C1. The exam is highly comprehensive and demanding.

We also had a discussion about digitalization in Finnish schools. Most students use digital books, and even exams are conducted on computers. The Biology teacher told us that he  used a combination of digital and paper book, and mentioned that he encouraged students to occasionally set aside their computers, pay attention to his explanations, and take handwritten notes. Interestingly, many students do not bring pens to class. He also observed that Biology answers are now generally shorter than in the past.

 Discussion on Digitalization II

Similarly, a Mathematics teacher explained that she used both paper and digital books. She would like students to come to the whiteboard more often, but her lessons were constrained by time, especially since some courses lasted only six weeks. Students had a mix of long and short Mathematics courses. Overall, while students enjoy digital books, they did not mind using paper books for certain tasks.

One English teacher highlighted that she preferred paper books for in-class corrections because students has to correct exercises with the whole class, whereas with digital books they often corrected themselves individually. In a class survey, only a few students preferred paper books. For exams, however, teachers agreed that online exams are preferred, as they are easier to grade.