Grit:lab Åland

🔥As our second selection Piscine is entering it’s final days, the pressure is on! Two key parts of the experience have been helping both the April and May groups measure just how far they’ve come: Raids ⚔️ and Checkpoints ✅

⚔️ Raids

All about collaboration and applying knowledge in practice. Each week, Pisciners are placed into randomly selected teams and challenged to solve problems together using the skills they’ve developed through their quests. Raids are audited by experienced mentors from our community, including senior students, grit:lab alumni, and representatives from our partner companies.

🎮 Checkpoints

These are exactly what the name suggests - a opportunity to pause and see where you really stand. These individual, closed-book exams are completed in a locked browser with no phones or outside help. While we strongly encourage learning through collaboration, peer support, and responsible use of AI throughout the Piscine, Checkpoints provide an honest measure of personal understanding and highlight areas that need more attention before moving forward.

The atmosphere during a Checkpoint is special. You can hear a pin drop. The focus is thick in the air. Everyone is fully immersed, relying only on their own knowledge, problem-solving ability, and persistence.

With only 2 days remaining, these moments are helping participants turn weeks of hard work into confidence, growth, and a clearer understanding of how far they’ve come. 🤩💪👾

Last weekend we headed out with the May crew on our bus tour around the island 🚌☀️ Both our Piscine groups got the chance to see and learn a little more about Mariehamn and Åland - the place many of them may soon call home in just a few months.

The weather absolutely delivered both days, and a huge thank you to our wonderful tour guide Beatrice, who shared everything from curious trivia to fascinating historical knowledge along the way 💙👀

One important part of this intense 3.5 week journey is remembering to give your brain a break and time to process all the new information. An added bonus? Shared experiences build strong communities - and strong communities learn, collaborate, and grow better together 💙

Both groups also got the chance to head out on a guided city walk hosted by Rådhuset and Mariehamns Stad. Their local knowledge and contribution are truly worth their weight in gold and will be an incredible support system for those participants continuing on to the 2-year program this September… if (when 😉) selected.

Getting to experience Mariehamn during its spring-to-summer transformation is something extra. The Åland Islands really know how to turn on the charm this time of year 🌿☀️

From sea views and cozy streets to peaceful nature and long bright evenings - it’s a pretty amazing setting for learning, growth, and new friendships.

And just like that… the second wave has arrived 🚀🫶🔥 the days are racing by and tomorrow they are already facing their second Checkpoint! Time flies when your having fun 😍


After an inspiring start with our April Pisciners, we were excited to welcome the May group into the grit:lab experience - and they came R.E.A.D.Y.

The energy, curiosity, and motivation was tangible from day one. Just like the first group, this Piscine brings together people from completely different backgrounds - some exploring coding for the first time, others deepening their technical skills, and many simply looking to challenge themselves and try something new.

And that’s exactly what the Piscine experience is about. Learning how to learn, pushing through uncertainty, collaborating with others, and discovering what you’re capable of when things get difficult.

Watching both groups fill the campus with energy, ambition, and determination has been incredibly inspiring. Different stories, different goals, same mindset: keep going 🚀

To all our May Pisciners - we can’t wait to see where this journey takes you.

And to everyone thinking about joining a future Piscine… maybe your turn is next 😉

Day 1 finally came 🫶🚀😍 and these guys arrived READY! Some to start a new career, others to deepen their technical skills, explore how things work “under the hood,” or simply challenge themselves and try something new. Many set out to meet new people, build something meaningful, and create a future they’re excited about.

The first few weeks of the April Piscine at grit:lab have been nothing short of inspiring.

This group truly reflects what grit:lab and the 01Edu methodology are all about - bringing together people from completely different walks of life. From data scientists, security specialists, and software developers to bakers, healthcare assistants, artists, and recent high school graduates, everyone arrived with their own story, interests and goals, and most importantly - curiosity! 💪

In just a short time, the first Checkpoints and Raid Audits have already been completed, and alongside the intense learning, there’s been space for sightseeing, dance classes, social interactions and building connections. The atmosphere has been strong from day one - supportive, curious, and driven.

Of course, it hasn’t been without challenges - and that’s the point. Facing unclear instructions, feeling stuck, and pushing through uncertainty is all part of the journey. What matters is persistence. Do you keep going when things get difficult? Do you have the grit to figure it out?

Our alumni and current students are living proof of what happens when you do.
We’re incredibly grateful to be surrounded by such diverse, resilient, and motivated individuals - this is truly what grit:lab is all about.

And to everyone preparing for the May Piscine… hope you’re ready too 😉

THE JOURNEY HAS BEGUN 🙌✨ Day 1 for the April Pisciners and we couldn’t be more excited to have you here!!! 😍 🤩

♻️