INTERNATIONAL
SCHOOL
Young people from all around the world can now work together to solve global challenges at Panka. Through our networks the studies will help to influence the decision makers around the world.
UNIQUE
OPPORTUNITY
There are few opportunities for young people to actually dedicate their full attention and time to solve global or even local problems. We at Panka acknowledge the huge potential the young people have to make a difference in the world.
THE BEST
EXCHANGE YEAR
Panka offers an exchange year or gap year program for young people aged between 13-17. The program involves identifying, researching, planning, debating and working together with the Panka staff members to come up with solutions for various global challenges.
STUDENTS IN CHARGE
The Student Life
Students will be participating in managing the community together with the teachers and staff members. Solving conflicts in the community helps them solve problems also in the outside world.
LIFE AT PANKA
As the students and staff members all live in the community, we will learn to solve common problems and take care of each other and foster a family atmosphere.
SCHOOL MEETINGS
Every student and staff member has equal power in the school meeting, where decisions concerning the everyday running of the school will be made. Listening and appreciating others’ thoughts is central.
EXCHANGE YEAR
We welcome students currently in middle or secondary level education and also homeschoolers. We offer an exciting year of phenomena-based studies in cooperation with local schools.
TRUST AND COOPERATION
At Panka the students are trusted to make their own decisions regarding the work they’re doing and the responsibilities they’re taking. We will build a non-hierarchical community based on cooperation and sharing.
IN THE MIDDLE OF FOREST
The Location
Panka is located in the middle of Finland, the world’s cleanest and safest country. The students will be selected from around the world so that we will have a truly global community. The number of students is limited to 80, so that everybody in the community has the possibility to get to know everyone else. The campus is located on a lake and surrounded by pine forest with wild berries, mushrooms and wild animals. There’s an inside swimming pool and other recreational possibilities like kayaking, fishing, skiing and outside and indoor sports on the campus and nearby. Students can also create their own gardens and plan the yard and experiment with natural building materials.
The nearest village with shops and restaurants is Pielavesi which is located 13 km (9 miles) away, and the nearest city is Kuopio, which is one hour’s drive away. We will have daily transportation to both the village and the city.
SOLVING GLOBAL CHALLENGES
At Panka we study global phenomena, not subjects. We do actual research to make a change in the world.
Our mission is to offer young people a platform to influence global affairs, connect young people with the decision makers and to find creative solutions for global challenges.
The best education in the World
Panka is based on a modern understanding of learning and education. Participation and authenticity are seen as key factors in learning. Based in Finland, where education is already top of the world, we want to raise the bar even higher.
LEARNING BY DOING
The students learn by participating in problem solving, research, social activities and self-initiated activities. Learning happens all the time. At Panka we create an environment where the learning is meaningful and inspiring.
OUTSIDE COMMUNITY
Panka is an initiator and a hub for solving global challenges. We will use social media and online problem solving platforms to reach out for the wider global community.
CHOOSING THE CHALLENGES
Our partner organizations will send us suggestions on what kind of problems we should concentrate on, but the school community can freely choose which challenges to tackle.
INTERNATIONAL NETWORK
Panka is a center of new ideas and inspiration. We are constantly in touch with research institutions and organizations already working on solving global challenges.
Join us! The World needs your ideas
Co-Working Space
At the Panka Center we offer a co-working and co-living space for 10 people, who wish to work in an inspiring and youthful social environment but who also wish to have clean nature and peace around them.
We offer a good Internet connection, several working stations to choose from, three daily meals and comfortable rooms.
Comfortable and Affordable
The co-living is provided in two-bed shared rooms with a private bathroom. You can book one bed or the whole room for yourself if you prefer privacy. We also offer rooms with a double bed. The rooms have a lake view and a door directly to the backyard so if you wish, you can wake up and jump straight into the lake!
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Modern Equipment
The Panka Center is equipped with lots of modern technology. You can bring your own laptop or use one of the shared computers that are scattered around the campus. There are several small rooms and few bigger ones where you can work and loads of workstations.
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Fast Internet
Finland has one of the best Internet connections in the World. We have fast and reliable 4G and Wi-Fi connections available at the venue to allow you to connect to your customers wherever you decide to work.
learn moreOUR SUPPORT TEAM
International Advisory Boards
Panka has a broad spectrum of educators, researchers, business people and world changers supporting the project on the Advisory Boards.
See the Advisory Boards
Our Team
Panka Academy Association is the background organization of Panka Center. We are currently building a core team to get everything running and ready for the upcoming school year.
Panka Academy Association
Marko Koskinen
Panka Project Coordinator
EdTech
Entrepreneur
Finland
Kinga Rozsa
Chariperson of Panka Academy Association
Teacher, Adult Educator
Hungary/Finland
Alexandra Ewa Berg
Anthropologist, Educator
Poland/Portugal
Milja Heinonen
Classroom Teacher
Founding member of Turku Phoenix School
Finland
Aki Saariaho
High School Teacher
Finland
Latest News
Contact us
We are happy to receive feedback and reply to any questions you may have.
Disclaimer: Background video features clips from “2050 – A Documentary”.
You can find the full documentary on YouTube.