Comment by apeescape

I'm a native Finn and went to a public school here in Finland in the 00s. My overall experience was good, though of course I didn't always enjoy it. I liked some teachers more than others. I learned a lot and was bored a lot. I was subjected to the occasional bullying (who wasn't?) but I never felt truly unsafe. I also got along well with most people most of the time. I had to overcome my shyness to give presentations to my classmates. I got to know people from different socio-economic backgrounds. While navigating through childhood and puberty I made a lot of mistakes, as did all other kids, but ultimately it was a good childhood, and in hindsight I am really glad I wasn't homeschooled (not that it's common here anyway). Without the social connections I made and social skills I learned, I undoubtedly would've had a very different kind of life, and not in a better way I think.