Grenland Folkehøyskole

Folk high school

Grenland folk high school is beautifully situated in Porsgrunn, about two hours by car south/west of Oslo. We are a Christian school, and all students meet for an assembly in the morning before classes start.

Our major courses are:

• Football

• Clothes w style

• Handball

• Tourism

• Beach-volley

• Back-packer

• Botrening

• Outdoor versatile

A year at a folk high school in is a unique opportunity to be part of the Norwegian culture, experience Norwegian nature, learn Norwegian, and participate in exciting social activities along with other young people from and the rest of the world. This is a year that will stay with you forever!
 
Folk High School, What Is It?
In English, the name “folk high school” often gives a misleading impression. “Residential adult college”, “residential enrichment academy”, “experiential academy” or even “folk school” would be more apt modern descriptions.
 
The folk high schools build on a holistic view of the students and challenge them to grow individually, socially and academically. Learning-by-doing is the basic educational philosophy of the schools. Their core methods are dialogue-based and experiential. The schools strive for challenging classes and courses, but the educational challenges are embedded in the your personal and social growth, too. This focus on the whole person is the strength and unique character of the folk high schools, where the point is to motivate, teach, inspire and foster commitment in you, the student. The schools give you the freedom to learn in your own way.
 
The folk high schools do not grant degrees or conduct exams. Today’s folk high schools offer a variety of non-traditional and non-academic subjects, as well as some academic subjects.
 
The folk high school year offers a host of opportunities for the students to grow in self-knowledge and to develop their own talents. Through the school’s many fields for learning, not only in the classroom and through the subject-matter, teachers will seek to inspire and challenge you.
 
One important arena for learning is the school’s social life, including the dormitory. Living with other people provides opportunities for training in working together and communication; creating a well-functioning community requires the ability to solve problems, and many of the activities will focus on life at the school and your fellow students. In addition, through for instance solidarity projects and a focus on your role as an active citizen, the schools try to expand your social perspective to incorporate outlooks from the rest of the world. In the interaction between different people, different opinions, and different values, your own opinions and values are confronted, making you more aware of the choices that you yourself make.
 
Life at a Folk High School
Folk high schools are small learning communities where all the students live on campus in close contact with staff and other students. You study, have meals and attend classes together. Dormitory rooms are frequently double rooms, but many schools offer singles as well. The staff usually lives at or close to the school. With their families they often spend time with the students outside ordinary teaching hours. This close relationship makes teaching and learning more dynamic and personal than in the case of traditional education; at the same time, you as a student gain unparalleled social insights.
 
Most of the school facilities, such as gyms, darkrooms, libraries, music rooms and craft rooms, are open for informal activities after class hours. If you want to know more about the leisure time activities at the school go here. All schools are small, with a typical enrollment of 60 to 100 students, and in these educational communities each student makes a difference. Students come from all parts of and Scandinavia , as well as a few from other countries (about 10 %).
 
Subjects
The subjects at a folk high school usually fall into three categories: major subjects, electives and compulsory classes. Some schools specialize in one or a few major subjects, while others offer a wide range of subjects. Most schools ask you to choose one major subject and a few electives. However, the schools are free to set aside their normal schedule for hours and days, for instance to prepare for the school trip, to look at an issue in depth, or to accommodate a guest speaker. Many of the courses culminate in a performance, concert, exhibition or theme week which the students themselves have planned and organized in co-operation with their teachers.
 
Major subjects
The major subject courses include music, performing arts, outdoor life, mass media, computer education, crafts, international solidarity, sports and more. The major subjects comprise 10 to 20 hours of instruction per week. Some schools offer Norwegian language and culture as a major subject for foreigners, but in other classes you will be integrated with Norwegian students. Others offer this language course in addition to the major subject. In this case, and if you have not studied Norwegian before, you should choose a major subject and electives with mostly practical activities. Some courses are only suitable for those who already are proficient in Norwegian; these will typically be courses like media and mass communication, philosophy, leadership training, or writing workshops.
 
Electives and compulsory classes
The folk high schools also offer you a variety of elective subjects throughout the school year. Most schools also have a set of required classes for all students. An important part of folk high school life is common learning experiences and shared activities, which often means that all students attend the same classes. Depending on the philosophy of the school, the shared learning may deal with subjects like literature, history, current issues, philosophy and/or Christianity, or students may sing in the school choir, take study trips and excursions together.
 
Who Attends Folk High Schools?
Folk high schools are open to all, and every year about 6000 students attend. Most schools admit students 18 years and older. By far the largest group of students is young adults, between 18 and 25 years old. There are international students attending almost every folk high school. In recent years, there have been students from more than 70 different countries.
 
Folk High School, What It Is Not!
By law, folk high schools conduct no formal examinations and issue no degrees. After finishing your school year, you will receive a diploma detailing what you have participated in. Although receiving financial support from the state, the folk high schools are independent from the regular educational system in .
 
International students who want to continue to study in do not automatically qualify for enrollment as students in a Norwegian college or university after folk high school; they must meet the same entry requirements as other international students.
 
Having a job while you attend a folk high school is not feasible, as lectures and activities will also take place in the evenings and during weekends.
 
Why Go to Folk High School for a Year?
Typically, folk high school students are looking for unconventional educational experiences at a place which both enlightens and trains for participation in a democratic society. Many people need a year to consider what to do next in terms of education and occupation, a break between upper secondary or high school (or even college) and their continuing studies at a university, or a break from a standardized curriculum and the exam pressures in the traditional school systems. The unique social life is also an important reason for many to choose a year at a folk high school.
 
What Do You Gain from a Folk High School Year?
Language Skills
Folk high schools are probably the single best way of gaining first-hand and practical knowledge of Norwegian. You can expect that through the year you will be able to use the language on an everyday level to communicate with native speakers.
 
Personal Growth
Folk high schools are places of self-discovery where you are encouraged to develop your own strengths and grow as a person. With your own outlook and motivation as a foundation, you are encouraged to set goals and actively take charge of your life. A warm and open study environment stimulates personal growth and development in a social setting.
 
Learning for Life
The schools offer a variety of subjects, but their common denominator is an educational program where you focus on your own interests and abilities. The folk high school experience is meant to challenge the whole person - the complete you. The idea behind this form of education is that learning only becomes a significant part of our lives if we are actively involved and share responsibility for it. A year at a folk high school will broaden your horizon. A broad spectrum of subjects will inspire you to go on with your education and future career. Along with social insights, they are useful tools on your road ahead. The folk high schools call this “learning for life”.