EFTERSKOLE: Cph Post Supplement, Winter 2016

EFTERSKOLE COME TO AN

Winter 2016 guide

OPEN HOUSE How expensive is an Efterskole?

WHAT’S EFTERSKOLE LIKE?

WHAT IF I DON’T SPEAK DANISH? Efterskoles give you a FULLY-ROUNDED EDUCATION

EFTERSKOLE

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EFTERSKOLE - WINTER ISSUE

AN ‘OPEN-HOUSE’ FOR EFTERSKOLES As well as the run-of-the-mill educational opportunities available, Denmark is unique in having a special kind of independent boarding school which is aimed at lower secondary-school children.

of the offers available on ‘Efterskoleners Aften’.

portal, with information in English. The following link (https://www.efterskole.dk/en/Schools)

Every year on the second Wednesday in Jan-

allows you to search for schools using various

uary, all the Efterskoles in Denmark host ‘Eft-

criteria. You will then be able to see exactly what

The concept dates back to the 19th century, and

erskoles Aften’. Quite simply, this is an open

the particular school is showcasing on Efterskol-

is based upon the idea of education as a means

evening where you have a chance to visit the

ernes Aften.

of producing fully-rounded human beings, rath-

schools, meet the staff and see their facilities.

er than just cramming book learning for the job market.

If you can’t make it on 11 January, you are of The individual schools are all keen to showcase

course always welcome to contact an Efterskole

themselves, so they usually pull out all the stops

and arrange a visit at another time that might

Nowadays, the concept has evolved, so as well

and an entertaining – as well as educational

suit you better.

as providing traditional educational subjects,

– time is guaranteed. There is usually also the

many efterskoles have specialised in areas such

chance to be shown round by pupils currently

as sport, drama and music. There are also efter-

attending the school, who will be able to answer

skoles which have an eye on the world outside

any questions that you might have about daily

Denmark, and which offer trips and exchanges

life in an efterskole.

to places all over the world.

Take advantage of a sneak preview

The open evening is from 18:00 until 21:00 and this year, will take place on 11 January 2017.

If you are in the position where you are considering an efterskole, or are a parent of a child who

How to find your school

you feel might benefit from this kind of educa-

In order to find out what’s on and where, the Eft-

tion, you could do worse than take advantage

erskole Association’s website offers a very useful

President and Publisher: Ejvind Sandal ● Editor: Stephen Gadd ● Layout: Lyndsay Jensen ● Commercial Director: Hans Hermansen, hans@cphpost.dk, Tel: +45 2420 2411 ● Picture credit for images: istockphoto & various efterskole facilities

EFTERSKOLE - WINTER ISSUE

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WHAT EXACTLY IS AN EFTERSKOLE? The concept of the efterskole is a peculiarly Danish one; the word itself has no real English equivalent, so the rather clumsy ‘Independent boarding school for lower secondary students’ is the closest we can get to a definition of it.

providing a general education, life-long enlightenment and guidance on being a citizen in a democratic society.

Close-knit and free These residential schools cater for pupils between the ages of 14 and 17 and as of 2016, there were 246 of them spread around Denmark, with around 28,500 students enrolled for the school year 2016-2017. Schools vary in size from 25 to 500 students, but most of them have a minimum of around 100 students. Efterskoles are also open to foreign students.

New ideas in education Historically, the efterskole springs from the theories of two of the greatest educators in Danish history – Christen Kold and N.F.S. Gruntvig. The first one was founded in 1879 in Galtrup, Mors and in the years that followed, several more efterskoles opened in southern Jutland.

Kold and Gruntvig both agreed that education should be geared to producing fully-rounded human beings and should not just be book learning by rote. Efterskoles are self-governing independent institutions that provide for both the educational and personal development of their students. They adhere to the principles of

Efterskole teachers are responsible both for teaching and the supervision of their students outside school hours. Teachers and students are together all day, from the time the students wake up until they go to bed. This can foster close, personal and informal relationships between students and teachers.

Efterskoles are self-governing institutions and have a high degree of freedom when it comes to e.g. choice of subjects taught, teaching methods and educational approach. These vary in accordance with the school’s political, religious or pedagogical orientation. This freedom is assured via substantial state subsidies to both schools and students.

Some efterskoles concentrate on specific areas such as sport or music. This can influence the way the curriculum is put together, but it must not be at the expense of the teaching having a broad base and always measuring up to that offered by the folkeskole. Courses should be open to everyone, regardless of sex or previous educational experience.

Square pegs and round holes If you are a teenager or a parent of teenage children, then the efterskole system is certainly worth considering. Not everyone is able to thrive in the mainstream educational system and an efterskole can turn out to be the road to greater self-confidence, maturity and independence.

By its very nature, a boarding school throws disparate individuals much closer together, and so fosters elements of solidarity and communal responsibility. This can also lead to closer friendships than those made at traditional dayschools.

There are other educational benefits to be gained from a period at efterskole. Using figures from Danmarks Statistik, a survey of the progress of pupils attending efterskole from 2010 to 2014 shows that pupils taking 10th class at efterskole were academically more advanced than the average and that they take fewer breaks during their further education than pupils from other school systems, regardless of grade averages.

So all the more reason to read on and perhaps make a choice that will change your life.

Sources: https://da.wikipedia.org/wiki/Efterskole; http://www.efterskoleforeningen.dk/

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EFTERSKOLE -WINTER ISSUE

EFTERSKOLES FOR THE EX-PAT COMMUNITY

If you’ve just moved to Denmark and you are looking for an education in English for your child, an efterskole might well be the answer. A number of them offer an international curriculum based on the Cambridge International Examination (CIE).

Below are just a few tasters of what is on offer at the different efterskoles. Many more ideas can be found by investigating the Efterskole website (http://www.efterskole.dk/da), where under ‘Find din efterskole’ you can sort on ‘All subjects taught in English’, Or ‘Cambridge - English’ The International in Vedersø, West Jutland, is Denmark’s first 100% English-speaking efterskole. Here, the Cambridge IGCSE curriculum is used and subjects such as business studies, global perspectives, maths, science and English can be taken, along with Spanish, French or German as a second language.

Ryslinge Efterskole offers a 10th grade educa-

tion and all subjects within the National Curriculum in Danish, as well as an exam within the Cambridge IGCSE regime in English. There are also trips abroad every year, project-based innovative learning, a choice of six different majors (i.e. adventure, music, art & design, media studies, theatre and science) and optional subjects such as political studies, psychology, music, choir, dance, drama, film, sports, arts & crafts.

In addition, Ryslinge Efterskole offers an International Class. Apart from English, all subjects are taught in Danish, so basic Danish skills are required.

BGI akademiet is starting a new international stream from school-year 2016-2017. The school

has now been certified by the University of Cambridge to teach and examine in IGCSE, which means that students can take their 10th class within this system, along with a sports option of their choice.

At Skals International Boarding School, students can spend a year in the International Project Class. The teaching in this class all takes place in English. The course is based on the study of such subjects as democracy, globalisation, European identities, EU - federation or confederation, cultural conflicts and international politics.

The academic year ends with an internal test of one week’s duration. SIP does not have an ordinary schedule with normal school subjects

EFTERSKOLE - WINTER ISSUE

such as mathematics and German. The focus is on project-oriented group work, where each student has to take responsibility for his or her own learning.

Eisbjerghus International Efterskole has several Cambridge-certified teachers. No matter which grade or class students are in, they will have IGCSE English, so will be taught and examined under the internationally-recognised rules of Cambridge University.

In the 10th grade, there is also the option of choosing Goethe German. That means that students take an exam set by the Goethe Institute, which is Germany’s cultural institute abroad. The exam requires German on a colloquial level. As an alternative, students can also choose DELF (Diplôme d’études en langue française) French, which is the official exam in French for foreigners.

The combination of the Danish efterskole and the internationally-acclaimed Cambridge qualifications offers learners enrolled at Ranum Eft-

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erskole College the chance to combine subjects, activities and academic levels according to interests, skills and competencies.

language course. As well as the academic work, there are also three study trips to destinations worldwide.

Students are given every opportunity to be creative and take charge of their own personalised learning experience, which prepares them for college or university here in Denmark or abroad.

They can choose to spend 1, 2 or 3 years here.

Host family in Denmark

The college offers an extensive range of 16 IGCSE subjects and 13 subjects at AS/A levels.

The IGCSE course is the natural first year of international study and the foundation for further international studies. IGCSE learners will choose 5 or 6 IGCSE subjects in combination.

AS and A levels are advanced and more comprehensive studies, but flexible and with no compulsory subjects. Students chose 4 subjects at AS level and 3-4 subjects at A level, according to interests and skills. Focusing on fewer subjects enables learners to concentrate and prioritise studies. All studies incorporate an extensive Danish

To ease the way for foreign students and ensure that they thrive, some efterskoles are able to provide a ‘host family’ for their students. The host family is a normal Danish family which offers the student hospitality and can act as a ‘reserve family’ while he or she is studying.

The families can share their everyday life, weekends and holidays with students and act as a ‘home-from-home’ for those times when it is not possible for students to remain at school, such as holidays and some weekends, or if the student simply needs to get away from it all and have some time to think.

Sources: http://www.vie.dk/The-International.aspx; http:// www.bgiakademiet.dk/; http://www.ryslinge-efterskole.dk/ livet-p%C3%A5-rye/om-skolen/english; http://www.skals-efterskole-international.dk/; http://eisbjerghus.dk/en/; http:// www.ranumefterskolecollege.com/

ADVERTORIAL

students are prepared for a variety of types of upper secondary education, i.e. the Danish Gymnasium, the International Baccalaureate, or others. We offer three different language accreditation certificates – from Cambridge University, the Goethe Institute and the French Institute. Furthermore, we offer Cambridge Mathematics and Cambridge Global Perspectives – all in English.

EISBJERGHUS INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL At Eisbjerghus, we can promise you an unforgettable year, with high academic standards, a strong international dimension – and lots of fun!

Eisbjerghus International School is a boarding school (Danish efterskole) at which the core focus is on languages, internationalisation and global awareness. We prepare our students for active citizenship by letting them experience what it is like to live in a small, close-knit community, where everyone depends on each other. They are also expected to participate actively in studies and everyday chores. In addition, the school provides a framework for a rich social life and other extra-curricular activities.

OUR CERTIFICATES OPEN DOORS There is a very strong academic focus at Eisbjerghus, and our

Our boarding school facilities are top-class. We have talented and dedicated teachers who provide academically top-class teaching, but at the same time, are also actively engaged with the students. So learning is never dull! Thee are also plenty of opportunities for creative expression and physical activities. These come in the form of optional subjects, workshop subjects and evening programs.

CROSS-CULTURAL CO-OPERATION Getting another point of view promotes understanding and mutual respect, so all our students take part in international exchanges and academic and cultural co-operation with contemporaries in Japan, China, Spain, France and India. Students become part of their host’s family, so can really gain a unique insight into other cultures and traditions. You might even make friends for life!

FIND OUT MORE If you are between the ages of 14 and 16 and the idea of spending a year at Eisbjerghus International School appeals to you, then more information is available at: www.eisbjerghus.dk/en

WE LOOK FORWARD TO WELCOMING YOU!

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HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO GO TO AN EFTERSKOLE? Although efterskoles are state subsidised, unlike the more formal educational institutions, all students (including the Danish ones) attending an efterskole must pay school fees. In general, parents are expected to pay from 33-50 per cent of the cost, while the state pays the remainder.

The table below shows the amount of state support given per week, based on different income brackets, for the school-year 2016/2017. All figures are in DKK. State support/week

Income revenue-base 2014 0

335,000

1,182

335,001

360,000

1,155

360,001

385,000

1,129

385,001

410,000

1,103

410,001

435,000

1,077

435,001

460,000

1,051

460,001

485,000

1,025

485,001

510,000

998

510,001

535,000

972

535,001

560,000

947

560,001

585,000

921

585,001

610,000

893

610,001

635,000

867

Based on parental income

635,001

660,000

804

All Danish students are entitled to financial support from the state, but the individual amount is based on the income of their parents. More exactly, it is calculated on the amount earned for a period of two years before school start. For example, if a student wishes to start efterskole in the school-year 2016/2017, the support given is based on income for 2014.

660,001

685,000

779

685,001

710,000

753

710,001

735,000

726

735,001

760,000

700

760,001

785,000

673

785,001

810,000

648

810,001

835,000

622

835,001

860,000

595

860,001

885,000

569

These fees vary from school to school, and they usually cover tuition, the cost of full board and lodging at the school and all local excursions, including study tours. They may also include certain items of clothing needed by students.

Who is in the household?

When working out the amount of state support, the starting point for the calculation is

over 885,000

569

The revenue-base is reduced by DKK 34,662 for every child under 18 who has a Folkeregister address in the household, excluding the child wishing to attend efterskole.

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the composition of the household where the student has his or her Folk-

#2 The student or his parents fall under the integration laws (integration-

eregister address at the start of the school year. For instance, if someone

sloven) for foreigners in Denmark, or #3 The student is supported by a parent who is a citizen of an EU or EØS country if the parent in question is in paid employment or is self-employed in Denmark and if the student is covered by the regulations governing the free mobility of labour within the single market.

is living with a new partner when their child starts efterskole, both incomes will form the basis of the calculation. However, the basis is always income two years previously, as this has been signed off by the tax authorities and can be obtained electronically. This also counts whether the parties were living together or not at that point.

Income earned by other children living at home or other family members living in the house is not counted. The revenue base is also reduced for each child under the age of 18 who has a Folkeregister address in the house, excluding the child wishing to attend efterskole. This also applies to any children of the new partner.

Separation, divorce or death If the child’s parents are separated or not married and have different Folkeregister addresses when the course starts, the revenue-base for the person who the child lives with, or has lived with most recently, is used, together with that of any possible new live-in partner.

If a parent or partner dies whilst the student is receiving efterskole support, or a separation or divorce takes place, the school will report this to the authorities and a new calculation will be made regarding the amount of support paid.

Non-Danish citizens The state also extends financial support to non-Danish citizens attending an efterskole course as long as it is of minimum 2 weeks duration and if the age and residency criteria applicable to Danish citizens are fulfilled.

There are also 3 extra criteria:

#1 If the student is under 19 when the course starts, the student or student’s parents must have had unbroken legal residence in Denmark for at least 2 years up until the beginning of the student’s course;

In points 2 and 3, if the tax authorities are unable to make a determination of the parents’ income revenue-base, support will be extended based on an income revenue-base determined in consultation with the school.

The state will also provide basic support to foreign students if one of the parents has previously held Danish citizenship.

In cases where foreign students fall outside the above-mentioned rules, the state will not provide individual support but there will be ‘taxameter money’ (a block grant based on the number of students) paid to the school as long as the number of foreign students at the school is less than half of the total.

Extra financial help It is also possible to seek extra financial support in addition to the state grant. Every year, schools receive a sum from the state which is earmarked for helping parents who have difficulty meeting the school fees.

This money has to be sought from the individual school which the child attends. It is then up to the school to decide how much and to whom supplementary financial help can be given to reduce the fees.

The normal SU grant (Statens Uddannelsesstøtte) is not available to students attending efterskoles.

Sources: http://www.efterskoleforeningen.dk/da/Leksikon/DF/Elevstoette; http://www.efterskoleforeningen.dk/

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HOW DOES AN EFTERSKOLE WORK? Advocates of the Danish efterskole will tell you that a year spent at an efterskole is like several spent in a more formal Danish educational institution.

These self-governing, independent boarding schools for 14-18-year-olds are uniquely Danish.

They are based on the idea that academic learning should be combined with ‘life-learning’ as a means of introducing students to further education and indeed, for life after school.

The idea is to foster an understanding of ‘the individual in the community’ and also to instil in students the principles of solidarity, community and unity. Hopefully, these principles will stand students in good stead when they go out into the world and take their place in a democratic society.

The first efterskoles were linked to the Danish Folk High School and the educational ideas of N.F.S. Gruntvig and Christen Mikkelsen Kold, who wanted schools to provide enlightenment for life rather than just formal vocational training.

Holding on to Danish culture Efterskoles played an important role for the Danish-minded residents in the border-land of Schleswig. In 1888, a law was passed making German the teaching language in schools. In order to obtain Danish language and cultural teaching for their children, the people here had to send them to efterskoles in Denmark. The first efterskole in Southern Jutland was built in 1919. Attendances increased dramatically in the 1920s, especially from the Danish minority in Southern Schleswig. After World War II, attendance rates from the region increased once again.

In 1951, an efterskole was also established for the German minority of the region in Tinglev.

Efterskoles experienced something of a decline during the late 1950s and 1960s, as new educational ideas began to emerge. The debate also concerned the nature of the efterskoles themselves and whether to change them from a non-formal Folk High School style of education towards a system with fixed curricula and examinations. By 1967, it had been decided that efterskoles could prepare students for some of the public school-leaving examinations and from that point on, efterskoles ceased to be linked to the Folk High School tradition.

During the 1980s, there was a renewed period of growth and it was during this period that efterskoles began to establish specialist streams for music or sport. Up to that point, they had all provided a fairly normal, mainstream education.

Nowadays, many efterskoles profile themselves with specialist subjects; some even go out of their way to appeal to elite sportsmen and women who wish to compete at a high level.

Others specialise further into things such as rôle-play, golf, design, chess etc. As well as this,

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there are a number of efterskoles which cater for students with specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia and others have established courses for students with other problems or late-developers.

What’s it like being at school?

When you attend an efterskole, you spend nearly all your time on school premises. The school becomes your new home, albeit a temporary one, and like a normal home, things happen from early morning until late at night.

As well as ordinary school classes, there are lots

As an example, a typical day at Skals Efterskole near Viborg, Jutland looks like this: 07:30 – 07:40: Breakfast 07:40 – 08:00: Tidying up 08:00 – 08:25: Morning news broadcast or presentation and song 08:30 – 09:50: Classes 09:50 – 10:15: Break 10:15 – 11:35: Classes 11:40 – 12:00: Cleaning in houses 12:05 – 12:15: Assembly and song 12:15 – 13:00: Lunch/break 13:00 – 17:30: Classes 17:40 – 18:15: Dinner 18:15 – 19:15: Study hour 19:15 – 22:00: Free time - visiting between dormitories allowed 22:00 – 22:30: Everyone must be back in their own dormitory.

22:00 – 22:15: School cleaning 22:30 – 23:00: Lights out.

of other activities taking place, both during and outside school hours and these might include sports, cooking, games, music, drama etc., which all contribute to establishing a fellowship between the students at the school and the teachers.

At Skals they also encourage students to be active during their free time. To this end, there is an active sports club in the town of Skals, with a gymnasium and swimming pool. The school also has its own gymnasium.

Seriously scientific Another example is Falster Efterskole. The daily structure looks somewhat similar to that in effect at Skals. Here, they have the following obligatory subjects: Danish, physics/chemistry, biology, mathematics, religion, history, social science, geography, sport, English, German. On top of that, there are 3 specialist streams (sport, language and natural science), all with their own subject options.

In the sports stream, students can take part in football, volleyball, cycling, basketball, riding and Ninsei Do (self-defence). The language stream offers intensive English, high-level English, Spanish for beginners, Turkish for beginners and mid-level Turkish. In the natural science stream you can study natural sciences to C level and mathematics.

Falster also offers an extremely in-depth science program. This includes high-level teaching in physics, chemistry and mathematics. It also includes preparation for students to enable them to take part in the nation-wide ‘Young Researcher’ competition. There are ‘science camps’ organised 2-3 times per year and excursions to e.g. the science faculty at Copenhagen University. On top of all this, there are facilities for conducting challenging and fun experiments.

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A truly international environment The International, in Vedersø, West Jutland, has decided to go all-out to create a truly international environment within a traditional Danish boarding school. All tuition takes place in English and the school is certified to offer the University of Cambridge International Examination, as well as being approved as a Cambridge International Associate school.

Pupils can take courses of 2 year’s duration at the school and the tuition is very much tailored to the needs and levels of the individual students.

The school offers the following subjects: Development studies, English as a second language, English as a first language, mathematics, combined sciences, global perspectives, Spanish as a second language, German as a second language and Danish as a second language.

At The International, the teaching is at IGSCE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education) level for 14-18-year-olds. This internationally-recognised curriculum can be found all over the world, so the qualification is universally recognised.

As well as this, The International offers psychology, music and creative arts as options. It also shares its facilities with Vedersø Idrætsefterskole, so football, dance and international sports such as lacrosse, cricket and netball are on offer.

Like most efterskoles, The International offers study trips abroad as part of the curriculum.

Here, there is an exchange visit to a European country in Spring. In the Autumn, there are trips planned to English-speaking countries outside Europe. In 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 this would be to the USA, South Africa and Australia.

The programme is designed to motivate students towards mathematics and natural science subjects and to challenge the competences of those students already predisposed towards these subjects. In addition, it prepares students to take natural science further in Upper Secondary School (Gymnasium). The school also works closely with the ScienceTalents scheme, which fosters an interest in science in pupils aged 12-20.

All the trips have a common purpose. There are visits to schools, firms and organisations, sightseeing, networking opportunities and cross-cultural exchanges and opportunities to share knowledge and competences.

Falster Efterskole is also opening an international branch for the next school year. The school has been certified to teach Cambridge IGCSE studies.

Sources: https://da.wikipedia.org/wiki/Efterskole; http://www.skals-efterskole-international.dk/school/ welcome-to-skals; http://www.falsterefterskole.dk/; http://www.theinternational.dk/International-Efterskole.aspx

So all in all, a myriad of opportunities out there to be grasped. All you need to do now is pick your efterskole!

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WHAT’S IT LIKE TO BE AT AN EFTERSKOLE? It has been said that a year spent at an efterskole is like several spent in another, more traditional, Danish educational institution.

Mathilde Jørgensen ‘I think it was a little hard for me, I was a little shy, but I think I opened up and speak to a lot of people now.’

Christoffer Stentoft Christensen ‘I really like the responsibilities. They make it so you feel you have something in the school, you have some kind of pride in where you work. I clean in this room, for example, and I also clean my room, of course.’

Joakim Mieritz Haslund ‘I have one room-mate. We trust each other so we share a lot with each other about who we like and about the girls at the school and stuff like that. If it’s Mikkel - that’s my room-mate - if he’s sick and he’s in his room, then I’ll take some food for him and bring it over here so he can eat something. So yes, I think we are taking care of each other when we’re sick and when we’re not so good.’

Good teachers Several of them also had good things to say about the teaching staff and teaching methods: Students are often extremely positive about their time spent there. But don’t just take my word for it, see what the students themselves have to say on the matter!

The testimonials immediately following are taken from a video presentation on the Danish efterskole website (www.efterskole.dk/en) which does not identify the school which the students are attending by name.

Everybody likes school All the students interviewed are very upbeat about the school itself and its effect on them:

Anne Hjorthøj Jensen ‘It’s about learning how to control yourself and growing up and being yourself.’

everybody. I think that everybody should have the chance to go to an efterskole.’

Frederik Albin Schmidt ‘I think it’s an amazing concept. You get a lot of new friends. I love to be here.’

Tristan Kold Sharkur ‘In the beginning when you start here first off, it’s kind of like a school where you focus on the class, but during these two months that I’ve been here, it developed into being my home.’

‘When you start here, nobody knows each other, so if you weren’t popular in your elementary

‘For example, my media teacher - in the beginning of course it was just like a normal teacher in my elementary school - but we developed a sort of friendship through the class and I started to talk with him about other stuff. At first it was only about movies, but now I can talk with him about almost everything.’

Mathilde Jørgensen ’I think the teachers are great and you get a better relationship with them because they are also here in the evening and you can always talk to them and they care for you because you don’t have your parents around, so you can always talk to them.’

school, you have a new start here so you can be whatever you want to be here. Nobody’s judging you, because nobody knows each other,

‘I think that eferskole is a perfect choice for

Tristan Kold Sharkur

so this is like a clean page.’

Benjamin Lund ‘I think the teachers are very qualified at what they do. They are very good at listening to us if

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we have an opinion on what we should do today or how we could do it, they listen and they learn also from us, and I think that they are very good.’

Other students have written: Olivia Thernøe, Oure Efterskole, Fodboldakademiet.

‘The best thing about efterskole is that you get to know a lot of new people and on a completely different level than at an ordinary school. Because you are together all the time, you see all the different sides of people.

You become part of a special fellowship where everyone is admitted, and everyone wants to join in because we all have in common the fact that we’ve chosen to be here at an efterskole, whereas in the folkeskole, you’re forced to be there.

David, Berlin

Katinka Bjørndal Thomsen

‘Great facilities, better than anything we have at

Comes from Kirke Såby in Zeeland.

‘The best thing about Eisbjerghus Internationale Efterskole is the atmosphere, which is hard to describe - it has to be experienced. The relationship you have with your friends is something really special. When you look at the website it looks as if we have school until 19:30, but it doesn’t feel like that. It just feels as if you’re with your friends all day.’

home - and they’re all here right on our doorstep.’

When you start in efterskole, you leave your ‘comfort zone’, you’re away from home with no mum or dad to turn to and you’re in what’s called the development zone, where you have to stand on your own feet. This matures you, you learn to know yourself and your limitations and you become equipped - academically, socially and personally - for further education.’

An international perspective Students from The International (the English-speaking efterskole in Vedersø, West Jutland) have this to say:

Sebastian Egert, Hamburg ‘Life for me at The International is a whole new experience. I have never experienced a school or everyday life like this before.’

Anton Hvidtfeld, Seattle, USA ‘My experience here at the efterskole has been really awesome. From the first day everyone was so welcoming, and I never feel home-sick because The International is pretty much my home.’

Irene, Mozambique ‘I just love it. I have found very good friends here, who have helped me to adapt. I love the space and the common areas where we can spend time together and socialise outside of the classroom.’

Rina, Dubrovnik ‘I choose the school because it is so different and unique from anything we have in Croatia.’

And finally, some comments from students at Eisbjerghus International Efterskole: Nicklas Bertram Olesen Whilst at Eisbjerghus, he has been on an ex-

‘I also think that the relationship with the teachers is really unique. It is quite different from that with the teachers in the folkeskole, because here you’re with them all the time – not just when you have lessons.’

change visit to India.

‘The fellowship at efterskole is really special. It’s almost a family feeling, I think, where now I’ve got friends all over Denmark.’

‘It’s also great to have some academic challenges, which I’ve missed previously, and here it’s all about keeping up or you can soon get behind.

At the same time, its really good that you can always get help with your school-work, either from your own teacher or from one of the others.’

‘There are many things which make Eisbjerghus something special - the exchange was one of them. India was a huge culture-shock, but indescribably exciting. My host family were fantastic and took me in like their own child for the ten days... The trip taught me that you shan’t

Sophie, San Francisco, USA

pre-judge people you don’t know and that ‘take

‘The International is an amazing community. The people make you feel at home.’

things as they come’ is an attitude that you can go far with.’

‘Where I come from, there’s been a tendency to see efterskoles as places full of hippies, dope-smokers and alcoholics! Of course they are not like that - and certainly not Eisbjerghus...

Here, we want to go to school and we’re interested in other cultures and in what happens in society, so in that way, we’re a rather ‘nice’ school.’

That many people can’t be wrong, so maybe give it a try?

Sources: http://eisbjerghus.dk/moed-en-elev/; http://www.vie.dk/The-International.aspx; www.efterskole.dk/en; http://www.oure.dk/in-english

#kickstart your #bestschoolexperience – at Eisbjerghus International School

drop in for a visit at efterskolernes evening open house on 11 january 6-9 PM! Find out more about life in an international ‘efterskole’, a residential school where education focuses on languages, internationalization and global awareness.

Meet teachers and students, get answers to all your questions, take a tour and talk with us about your needs, so that you can choose the school experience that’s right for you.

We’ll be glad to see you there…

– maybe this is where you’ll meet your best friends for life?

Eisbjergvej 2, 5580 Nr. Åby eisbjerghus@eisbjerghus.dk W W W. E I S B J E R G H U S . D K