Developing Nature-Based Experiences (project) (5cr)

Evaluation scale

H-5

Schedule

The student group (about 15 students) will be in Finland from February 26 to March 8, 2026.

Your presence and active participation will be required for approximately six days (8:00–16:00, note: also on Saturday, February 28) during their stay in Finland.

Before the group’s arrival, planning meetings will take place about once a week starting from week 4 (wks 4 – 8/9 at 17 – 19.30), mainly online on Zoom but some contact classes at Pasila Campus. In addition to these classes there will be independent teamwork.

Implementation methods, demonstration and Work&Study

This course is blended (some sessions are on Zoom, some are in nature or in Haaga/Porvoo Campus). The course is completed by carrying a real-life development project in groups. It can include guest lectures, company visits, and study excursions to nature. Demonstration of competence as recognition of prior learning, contact competence councelling teacher Niina Moilanen. For more information see Haaga-Helia student pages Recognition of Learning: https://www.haaga-helia.fi/en/recognition-learning

Intro

Welcome to study nature-based tourism, which is one of the fastest growing branches of tourism as people seek wellness and unique experiences in nature to escape their busy everyday life. You will deepen your knowledge of concepts and theories which help you to analyse and develop nature-based tourism business. You will put the knowledge into practice using versatile methods in real-life cases in Finland.

Materials

The material is available on Moodle platform.

Teaching methods and instruction

This course is blended (some sessions are on Zoom, some are in nature or on Pasila Campus). The course is based on learning by doing including various activities such as guest lectures, company visits, cases, projects, and study excursions to nature. Your task is to plan a visiting programme for a group of Japanese students and host them, under the guidance of teachers.

The programme includes workshops and study visits and excursions.

Working life connections

Company visits, guest lecturers, workshops, development project with a real-life commissioner

Exam dates and re-exam possibilities

No examinations

Internationality

This course takes place in an international setting: you will host a group of visitors from Japan who are getting to know Finland, its nature, and its culture.

Completion alternatives

There is no alternative way to complete this course.

Learning assignments

In this course, you will work in groups. Each group will have its own area of responsibility for planning and carrying out the program for the Japanese visitor group.

Your task is to plan and host, under the guidance of teachers, a program at Pasila and Haaga campus, in the center of Helsinki, Suomenlinna and Nuuksio National Park.

The programme includes workshops, study visits and excursions.

Assessment methods

The course is graded on a pass/fail scale.