More than AI: Student Camps that build confidence
Japanese and Finnish students work in teams during our AI & Coding camps.
“I was nervous at first, but after the first task it didn’t really matter anymore who was Finnish and who was Japanese. We were just a team.”
This comment from a student at one of our international student learning camps captures what truly defines a successful experience. At the start, differences feel big: new people, a new country, a foreign language. But when the learning environment is designed well, those differences quickly lose their importance.
For schools planning study visits to Finland, AI and coding camps, or other international learning experiences, the key question is simple: how do we help students feel confident enough to participate fully?
Content matters, but confidence matters more
Strong learning content is essential. Coding, AI, future skills, collaboration - skills that will be practised and learned during the camp. But content alone does not guarantee success. In international camps, learning only really takes off when students feel safe enough to speak up, try, and make mistakes together.
This is why the design of the experience matters just as much as what is being taught.
The most important work happens before the camp starts
Based on our experience running international AI and coding camps, small design choices make a big difference:
Balanced teams that support collaboration
Clear, well-structured tasks with a low entry barrier
A learning atmosphere that encourages participation from the first moment
When these elements are in place, students stop focusing on differences and start focusing on solving problems together.
What this looks like in practice
Once the camp begins, the impact is easy to see. Communication becomes more relaxed. Students help each other naturally. Teams form real connections across cultures.
Skills develop alongside confidence. Learning feels shared, not forced.
Why this matters for schools and parents
Schools, parents and students do not choose student learning camps or international study visits just for knowledge transfer. They are looking for growth: confidence, collaboration, and readiness to work in international environments.
When international learning experiences are designed with this in mind, students are free to focus on what matters most. Learning together, discovering their strengths, and realising that very quickly, they are no longer defined by where they come from, but by what they can build together.
A Prestigious Recognition: Authentic Visit Finland Experience
We’re proud that Code School Finland’s international learning program Future Skills Camp has been recognised with the “Authentic Visit Finland Experience” award. This is an official distinction from Visit Finland given to educational and travel products that offer genuinely meaningful, high-quality experiences rooted in Finnish culture and learning values. This award highlights the authenticity, educational depth, and cultural richness of our camps and study visits, setting them apart as standout experiences in international education marketing.
Interested in creating a meaningful learning experience in Finland?
If you are planning a student learning camp, AI and coding camp, or an international workshop, we would be happy to design it together with you.
Get in touch:
Sirkku Tahvanainen
Head of Education
sirkku@codeschool.fi