Hanko is an excellent city for families to live and study in. For example, at Hangönudden High School, students can choose tennis or horseback riding as their study track, while the dance program at Hangö Gymnasium is already celebrating its 20th anniversary.
Adults consider how to balance work and family life. Young people think about how to combine an elite sports hobby with high school studies. Hangönudden High School offers, among other things, tennis and horseback riding tracks. “As a tennis city, Hanko wanted to use its strong expertise for the benefit of youth together with the Hangon Tenniskerho. The horseback riding track was introduced as a new option this school year for the same reasons. This way, we offer the opportunity to combine high school studies with strong engagement in hobbies,” says Veli-Jukka Rousu, principal of Hankoniemen Middle and High School.
Tennis skills develop alongside studies
Karoliina Krook is a third-year student at Hankoniemi High School on the tennis track. “I live in Hanko. I moved here from Lohja when I was 15,” says Karoliina, who lives independently. “I chose the tennis track because I want to aim high in tennis. I wanted to combine studying and training in a way that allows training to work as smoothly as possible alongside school. Here it’s possible, because training and studies go hand in hand without either suffering.” “The best thing about the tennis track has been being able to train during the school day and flexibly combine sports and studies. The atmosphere is very encouraging and the coaching is high-quality, which motivates constant improvement.”
The tennis track has existed for four years and is very popular. “I would recommend it to anyone who wants to focus on tennis while completing upper secondary studies properly. It has been great that both teachers and coaches support my goals,” Karoliina says. She is extremely satisfied with the Hanko tennis track: “My game has developed a lot over the three years I’ve been here.”
Joy through animals on the horseback riding track
Roosa Piiri lives in Hanko and is in her first year on the horseback riding track at Hankoniemi High School. “My goal is to complete high school in three years. My riding coach recommended this study track to me,” Roosa says. “The best part is being able to clear your head after a long school day during riding training and spending time with animals. I would recommend the equestrian track to anyone who wants to train seriously alongside their studies.”
Studying that flows like dance
Filippa Lindfors is a third-year student at Hangö Gymnasium on the dance programme and lives in Hanko with her family. “I’ve been dancing since I was three years old, so choosing the dance programme felt natural alongside my dance career. Studying on the dance programme has allowed me to grow both as a dancer and as a person. The support of the group and the shared joy of creating together have been invaluable.”
Filippa also has a message for future students:“As a Swedish speaker studying in a Finnish-language dance programme, dancing has also helped me greatly improve my Finnish skills. There’s no need to worry about your native language – it doesn’t matter. Dance is for everyone, and dance is a shared language that belongs to all of us.”
The dance programme was founded in Hanko back in 2005. “I would recommend the dance programme to anyone who loves movement and wants to grow both as a person and as a performer. It also suits those who want to do something extra alongside school and those who enjoy working in a group. On the dance programme, you can be yourself and make friends for life. The dance studio is a place where all stress and worries disappear, and you can focus entirely on dancing,” Filippa concludes.
No layouts found
