In this paper we demonstrate the methodologies of collaborative cross-cultural analysis in ethnographic studies that are conducted in different locations and draw from various studies, with diverse compositions and diverse overall aims. Using the methodology that we call ‘analyses through discussion’ we have started from some joint questions, picked relevant bits from various ethnographic data and analysed them alone and together, reflecting different data sets in relation to each other. For this paper, we take the example from upper secondary vocational education. The variation in this field is immense, with some sectors being most popular among young people whilst others having difficulties to attract applicants. Locality and gender composition of students in vocational institutions vary. However, the ‘vocational education’ is generally talked as the other option to academically oriented upper secondary education. In our paper, we will reflect the young peoples’ perceptions about vocational education, drawing from different ethnographic studies. This paper will also work as an exploratory analysis for a research project in the planning stage ‘Cultures in vocational education: a multi-sited ethnography’.