ERASMUS CHANGING LIVES OPENING MINDS fOR 25 YEARS

Elina
Ylipelkonen
‘Going abroad helped me decide what I wanted to do’
Home institution:
Seinäjoki University of Applied
Sciences, Finland
Host institution:
Protestant University of Applied
Sciences Berlin, Germany
Field of study:
Social work
Duration:
3 months (2006)
Having previously been to Berlin, Elina Ylipelkonen knew the city presented
many opportunities to study social work. Her Erasmus exchange combined
academic study for two days per week with practical placements in a probationary
service for young people for the rest of the week. ‘In Berlin there were
many chances of seeing places and working methods that were rare in Finland.
I learnt a great deal and saw many new ways of doing social work.’
The experience confirmed her decision about her choice of profession and
strengthened her interest in multicultural issues. ‘It helped me to decide what
job I wanted to do.’ Her practical placement in Berlin had mainly involved
migrant communities. This, combined with working full-time for three years at
the Helsinki Reception Centre for asylum seekers, gave her the focus for her
ideal job – working with the Immigration Police.
She is now training to be a police officer in Finland and believes this, combined
with her professional training as a social worker, will provide the ideal career.
‘I would recommend that other social workers spend time abroad. Erasmus
should be for everyone if you have this possibility, you should take it.’
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