The Piscine - grit:lab

Welcome to the Piscine.

We challenged you, and you proved that you were among the best of the best. The next step? A life-changing, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to network, learn and grow. Welcome to the Piscines on the Åland Islands April 3rd to 26th or May 5th to 28th.

Coding knowledge

Regardless of what level of coding experience you started with, your Piscine journey will leave you with programming skills you’ll be comfortable flexing in front of your peers and future employers.

Network for life

Embrace your inner extrovert! During the Piscine, you’ll connect with like-minded, inspiring people from all across the globe and expand your personal and professional networks.

Proof of completion

After completing the 3.5 weeks, 10 quests, 3 checkpoints, 3 raids and audits and 1 hackathon, you’ll have gained foundational knowledge in the programming language Go. You’ll also receive proof of completion.

Modern spaces, new technology and experiences you won’t forget.

Open workspaces in our modern office facilities - latest iMacs in Åland colors

How you'll live

Those of you that already selected the free accommodation option, you’ll be sharing a room with one other grit:lab student at the Strandnäs Hotel, located just 1 km from the grit:lab campus. You’ll need to cover travel and personal expenses (such as groceries and insurances). On campus, you’ll be using one of our brand new iMacs so you won’t need to bring your own laptop or gear.

View on map

Newly renovated twin room with bathroom at Strandnäs Hotell

Pentry and storage options

Towels, sheets and linen

Shared kitchen and communal area with WIFI

Utility room with washer & tumble dryer

Rentable bicycles

Piscine 1, Hotel check-in / check-out: April 3rd - April 26th 2024

Piscine 2, Hotel check-in / check-out: May 5th - May 28th 2024

View on map

Travel to Åland

The Åland Islands are located in the middle of the Baltic Sea, midway between Stockholm and Helsinki. There are daily connections to Åland from Finland and Sweden and you can choose to travel by ferry or by plane. You can fly from Vantaa Airport in Helsinki or Arlanda in Sweden – these are the fastest routes to Åland and take around half an hour. The shortest ferry connection from Sweden is the one from Grisslehamn with Eckerö Linjen or from Kapellskär with Viking Line. Both ferries take two hours.

Travel to Åland tips

Pre-order Taxi: Mariehamns Taxi App Store or Google Play (download app to pre-order)

Travel tips

Food prices on Åland

Your monthly cost of living on Åland will largely depend on your dining preferences. If you choose to prepare your meals, the estimated budget is approximately 10 euros per day. However, if you want to explore the local restaurants and dine out, lunch prices typically start from around 13 euros.

For those interested in grocery shopping, you can find a variety of options at stores such as Kantarellen and Sparhallen just opposite the grit:lab campus. Additionally, if you’re looking for a shopping center experience, Maxinge stands out as the largest on Åland.

Whether you prefer cooking at home or indulging in Åland’s culinary offerings, there are diverse options to suit your taste and budget.

Lunch restaurants

Sport facilities

grit:lab campus offers excellent access to various sports facilities. You can enjoy a workout in our indoor gym or explore the various exercise options in our outdoor gym located just outside Paf building. For a more diverse fitness experience, we’ve partnered with Träningsverket, a nearby gym offering a range of classes and training opportunities. Your health and fitness are important to us, and we provide the resources you need to stay active and energized.

More about Träningsverket

Essential readings recommended by grit:lab

At grit:lab, our mission is to empower you to unlock your full potential and foster a growth mindset. Through collaboration and engagement with fellow students, you are not just participating; you are evolving together. Below is a curated list of readings that we believe will enrich your journey. These selections offer valuable insights and practical advice, encouraging you to actively apply what you learn. Embrace the transformation these readings can inspire in both your personal and professional life, and discover the impact you can make on yourself and those around you.

Grit – Angela Duckworth, Mindset – Carol S. Dweck, Everything is figureoutable – Marie Forleo, 7 Habits Of Highly Effective – Sean Covey, Awaken the Giant Within – Tony Robbins, Limitless – Jim Kwik, Think Again – Adam Grant, Give and Take – Adam Grant, Atomic Habits – James Clear and many more.

Åland: inspiring, challenging, gorgeous.

Let yourself be swept away by the stunning nature and powerfully wild seascapes surrounding Åland that have inspired many an artist’s work. During the Piscine, you’ll explore Åland and participate in exciting, hand-picked activities on the regular.