At the end of September, two lecturers from our faculty — Mgr. Jarmila Štěpánová, Ph.D. and Mgr. Eva Schwartzhoffová — represented FTK at the International Teacher Week hosted by our partner institution Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences in Vierumäki, Finland. This year’s theme, “Wellbeing and Mental Health”, focused on mental health and overall wellbeing in both sport and education.
The event took place at the Sport Institute of Finland, a long-standing partner of Haaga-Helia University and one of the country’s leading centers for sport education. Fourteen participants from various European countries — including Sweden, Portugal, the Netherlands, and Lithuania — came together to exchange experiences, discuss innovative approaches, and share their teaching practices.
Both FTK representatives took an active role in the teaching program.
Eva Schwartzhoffová delivered a lecture titled “Medical Wellness in the Czech Republic – Unexpected Wellbeing”, introducing students and faculty to the Czech concept of medical wellness and its connection to sport and recreation.
Jarmila Štěpánová presented a workshop “Breathing as a Bridge to Wellbeing in Sport”, combining elements of physiotherapy and sport psychology. The theoretical part focused on the kinesiology of breathing from the perspective of developmental kinesiology and the Czech DNS concept, followed by practical exercises demonstrating various breathing techniques used in both physiotherapy and sport psychology.
The week also included lectures by Finnish experts on wellbeing in education, positive psychology, and psychological safety in the learning environment. Both lecturers found the PERMA framework particularly inspiring — a model promoting mental wellbeing and a healthy educational environment.
Beyond the academic program, the week offered a rich cultural experience, from a campus tour and traditional sauna evening to a cycling trip through the surrounding nature. As both participants agreed, the immersion in Finnish culture, lifestyle, and approach to balancing work and personal life was truly inspiring.
“Finland is a country where wellbeing isn’t just a topic — it’s a way of life. Our stay in Vierumäki allowed us not only to share our experiences but also to see how the principles of wellbeing can be woven into everyday study and work,” said Eva and Jarmila.
During the week, they also met with four FTK students currently studying at Haaga-Helia through the Erasmus+ programme. The informal meeting outside the official agenda offered a pleasant opportunity to exchange experiences and insights about studying abroad.
Participation in the International Teacher Week brought new perspectives and inspiration for teaching, while also strengthening the long-term collaboration between FTK and Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences. This partner institution is among FTK’s key collaborators in the fields of sport, coaching, and adapted physical activities, hosting both our students and staff each year through Erasmus+. Most recently, FTK and Haaga-Helia have also launched a joint project titled COOL-APA.
