Staff
Maria Gajitos
I teach Business Communication in English and several "Essentials of Business Communications" courses meant to reinforce students’ communication skills.
Due to my passion for the arts and sustainability, I designed the Cultural Sustainability and Communication course. The course sharpens students’ communication strategies and gives them opportunities to have direct contact with stakeholders in the field. Through the course, students discover the cultural perspective in business and society and increase their participation in societal discourse on sustainability.
Besides a continuous interest in culture and creativity, I value solidarity as a vital element in building society. Thus, I collaborate with Folkhälsan and International Youth Cooperation (IYC-Finland) to stimulate societal engagement in students while still at the university.
Through my courses and activities, I foster a supportive learning environment with creativity and solidarity present. I am sincerely interested in instilling in students a desire to be change drivers for themselves and for society.
My courses have been awarded with the "Gold Stamp" regularly.
I have taught privately and in groups with students from the age range of 5 to nearly retirement age in the Philippines (Woodrose School) and in Finland (The English School, Aalto University and Hanken). As a freelance English teacher, I taught Finnish professionals working at KELA, VARMA, If, to name a few.
Besides teaching English, I was a Cultural Producer for Helsinki City’s Caisa Cultural Center for a year. I launched activities to promote cultural exchange among immigrant and Finnish artists, created spaces for “the silent voices” (marginalized, elderly, children, women of all ranks and races), etc.
In addition, I also have work experience as copywriter for an advertising agency in downtown Helsinki.