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Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Education in Denmark
the students to develop on a personal level. Throughout the year the students live with people they will – most likely – never have met before. They experience new ideas and new people and have to find out where they stand within this community. “If you want to develop personally, you have to experience other people and other ways of living,” Mortensen says. He tells an anecdote of a student who went to the efterskole and thoroughly enjoyed it, but who, like many, was also experiencing the classic teenage issues at home. After he had spent a few months at Vandel, he said that his parents had become “so mature” in the time he had been at efterskole. Although the students may not realise it themselves, they are constantly changing and developing as people. Mixing up an education There are two school years offered at Vandel Efterskole: the 9th year and 10th year. Traditional schools in Denmark finish their education after the 9th year, after which you will do a final exam, much like GCSEs. This system is the same at Vandel; however the students have a chance to study less traditional subjects here, such as theatre and design, whilst also maintaining a high level of knowledge in the
traditional subjects. Vandel Efterskole has decided to change things for the 10th year. This is not a compulsory year for Danes, but it’s a year that many people will choose to do – most likely at an efterskole. Currently, the Vandel school year encompasses around 20 short, but intense, courses. The students have a choice of 80 courses, whilst also being able to choose between football, handball, design, music and theatre. Every course takes about three to four weeks, and allows the students to choose subjects that are relevant to what they might want to do later on in life. There will still be exams at the end of the year, but much of the work will be project-led, teaching vital skills that will help students later on in their career. Students who have completed their 10th year have found that they have had an advantage in further education, compared to those who have not taken this path. As Mortensen says: “Knowledge is only worth something once it’s been dispersed.”
deserved breakfast afterwards and students are ready for the day ahead: an energy-requiring 8am to 5pm schedule. Unlike traditional schools, the days include plenty of subjects encouraging social interaction, such as sports and theatre, providing every person at the school with lifelong friendships. By living with each other and growing up with each other for a year, the students get to know each other on a different level than they would otherwise. The school also teaches students that they should not judge a book by its cover, and many comment at the end of the year that those they are closest to are people they would never normally have tried to become friends with. Through personal and educational enhancement the students who go to Vandel Efterskole change dramatically throughout the year they are there. They are more engaged with the world and themselves, and have encountered people and experiences that wouldn’t otherwise have been part of their world.
Long days providing friends for life Getting up at 06.50am to go for a walk might not seem like everyone’s dream start to the day, but that is common practice at Vandel. However, add some well-
For more information, please visit: www.vandelefterskole.dk
Currently, the Vandel school year encompasses around 20 short, but intense, courses. The students have a choice of 80 courses, whilst also being able to choose between football, handball, design, music and theatre.
Issue 70 | November 2014 | 57