Mobility program Baltlantique

COOPERATIVE EDUCATION BETWEEN ACADEMIE DE BORDEAUX AND FINLAND

General Information about the Baltlantique Program

Baltlantique is a mobility organized between the Academy of Bordeaux in France and Finland.

It is a short-term exchange lasting three weeks, based on reciprocity, allowing French and Finnish high school students to experience linguistic, cultural, and academic immersion. Each student attends high school with their exchange partner and lives with their family. Every Finnish student participating in the program is paired with a French student from the same class and remains in contact with them.

(50 spots available)

Mobility Dates

From 20/09/2025 to 11/10/2025: The French student stays in Finland.
From 12/10/2025 to 01/11/2025: The Finnish student stays in the Bordeaux region.

Required Qualities for Application

Eligible students must:
• Be in high school at the time of the exchange.
• Live with their family during the exchange.
• Have at least an A2 level in English.
• Have at least an A1 level in French.
• Be open-minded, independent, and responsible.
• Have parental consent.
• Have completed the family form on time.

Before Applying, Please Consider the Following Recommendations:

✅ Academic Level: Candidates must have a satisfactory academic level to follow their studies in France smoothly and reintegrate into their original class without difficulty upon return.

✅ Cultural Openness and Adaptability: Participating in the daily life of a host family requires genuine open-mindedness from students, as well as tolerance and goodwill from families regarding cultural differences.

✅ Commitment to Studies: School attendance is mandatory throughout the stay. Students must be aware that they will spend between 6 and 8 hours per day in classes, conducted in the host country’s language. Since educational content varies between countries, each school’s teaching staff is responsible for organizing academic support to ensure the student’s smooth reintegration upon return.

✅ Financial Responsibility: No financial assistance is provided for this exchange. Participating families commit to covering all costs related to the exchange, including transportation, food, school meals, and outings. If there is any uncertainty regarding cost-sharing, Finnish and French families are encouraged to reach an agreement in advance.

✅ Nature of the Exchange: This is a reciprocal exchange, not a structured program. The Institut français de Finlande and its academic partner in France act as facilitators, creating the necessary conditions for mobility (matching correspondents, host families, and schools). However, the actual experience of the exchange (activities, integration into family and school life) depends on the commitment of the families and students themselves.

✅ Matching Process: The Institut français de Finlande and its academic partner strive to pair students based on recommendations from reference teachers and information provided by families in the application form. However, they cannot be held responsible for any interpersonal incompatibilities between correspondents or families.

✅ Role of Families and the Reference Teacher: Open and proactive communication between families, reference teachers, and schools is essential for the exchange’s success. In case of any issues, the reference teacher, in coordination with families and schools, is responsible for managing the situation as a priority. The Institut français de Finlande (mobilite@france.fi) can be contacted if needed, but it acts as a support entity rather than a direct organizer.

2025 Calendar

February 5, 2025: Call for applications in France and Finland.
The application process begins with the candidate’s registration by their teacher. Here is the link to the teacher’s form.
April 20, 2025: Application deadline.
Week of May 12: Matching of French and Finnish students.
From May 16, 2025: Publication of results and contact details sent. Each reference teacher will receive the contact information of the French student’s reference teacher. It is up to the teachers to get in touch with their French counterpart to share the Finnish student’s application file.
For three weeks, from 20/09/2025 to 11/10/2025: The French student stays in Finland.
For three weeks, from 12/10/2025 to 01/11/2025: The Finnish student stays in the Académie de Bordeaux.