New home in Åland with homeschooling as a lifestyle

Daniel and Sara Söderqvist come from a small town in Värmland and immediately felt at home in Åland after moving there.

– There are many similarities, there is less forest but the same mentality. Åland is just as safe and cosy as Värmland.

Time for school

The family had no prior connection to Åland, but when their eldest daughter was approaching school age, they began thinking about the future. Where could they find a daily life that suited their chosen lifestyle? They compared school systems and methods in different countries, and Åland came out on top.

– Home schooling is possible here, but there is also access to a good school system with smaller classes. The curriculum was easy to find and understand, and the community is monolingual Swedish-speaking. For us coming from Sweden, that is an advantage, says Daniel.

It also felt reassuring to have access to the Åland school system in case they chose to switch to regular schooling in the future.

– In the end we took a leap of faith, and for us it has been so rewarding!

Daniel got a job as department manager at Åland Health and Medical Care, and the family moved to Mariehamn. They now live there in a rented apartment close to green spaces, playgrounds and Daniel's workplace.

Following the curriculum

Home education means that it is the parents, and not the school, who are responsible for the child's education. It can take freer forms, but must follow the content of the Åland curriculum.

– It is a lifestyle that requires a great deal of effort, especially in the beginning, says Daniel. We need to submit a plan for how the teaching will be organised, both by subject and by year for grades 1–9.

Once per term, all home-educating families meet with the Supervisory Unit for Åland Home Education. There, the children's knowledge development is reviewed and support and feedback are provided.

– We met with the supervisory officer last spring ahead of the school start and will have a new check-in this autumn, says Sara.

She sees the curriculum as a support.
– It is reassuring to have something to follow. It clearly states what is expected and what goals need to be achieved.

To prepare herself, Sara read a great deal before the move and the start of school. Both about Åland and about home education.

– There are many good Facebook groups, blogs and podcasts. It helped me to take part in others' experiences.

New networks

During their first year in Åland, the family has already built up a network of friends and acquaintances, both locals and other newcomers.

– I printed out a map of the playgrounds in Mariehamn and we visited twelve out of twenty during the first two weeks, says Sara. You meet many other people with children of the same age there.

Within the Åland home education community there is also a strong network for joint activities, learning opportunities and the sharing of experiences.

A major commitment

In day-to-day life it is Sara who takes the main responsibility for teaching, but Daniel is equally involved.

– I feel secure in my role and in the fact that we learn at our own pace, says Sara.

The school day has no clear beginning or end – learning takes place from morning to evening. Books, read-alouds and practical activities are interspersed with play and outings.

– Right now we do a lot of painting and reading, and during the bright autumn evenings we had whittling school. We also learn together as a family, for example through study visits.

But home education requires both time and resources. Daniel and Sara first update their own knowledge, then it is a matter of finding good support materials and literature. Many textbooks they have made themselves.

– It is important to understand that it can be both time-consuming and costly – there needs to be both a budget and the energy for it, says Daniel. One parent often becomes a full-time teacher, which means a lost income.

For the family, learning still feels fun and meaningful.
– That makes it all worth it!

Getting to know Åland

Daniel and Sara recommend that all interested people first experience Åland in person.
– Take a holiday trip, preferably during different seasons. We visited several events, such as the Harvest Festival, Christmas markets and Åland Blossoms in spring.

They also point out that Åland has 16 municipalities, where rules and conditions can differ – even though the Supervisory Unit for Åland Home Education is shared across the entire region.

– It is a good idea to start by renting accommodation and getting a feel for where you want to live, advises Sara. We are currently renting in Mariehamn, but dream of finding a home where we can grow our own produce and keep animals.

The move also involves some paperwork, particularly around tax and registration.

– That sort of thing is easier to sort out when you are on the spot, says Daniel. Here you can walk into the tax office, the Social Insurance Institution or the bank and speak to a real person.

– I emailed the regional government and got a reply within fifteen minutes! adds Sara.

Online shopping is somewhat limited due to the tax border, but Sara does not see that as a problem.
– Instead you find more locally produced goods in the shops, such as Åland flour that even states which farm it comes from.

The family has also switched to an electric car.
– The tax on diesel cars is expensive, whereas the distances in Åland are perfect for an electric car, says Daniel.

Here to stay

Daniel and Sara are happy with their new life and encourage others to dare to take the step.

– Don't overthink it – you can always move back. We really love it here and it looks like we are here to stay! What we miss most is our parents, so now we are trying to tempt them to move over too.