Summer school A social and academic summer with friendships for life Welcome to Ranum International
Every summer, young people from across the world come to Ranum Efterskole College to experience a unique international summer school in Denmark.
For 1–5 weeks, students aged 14–17 live, learn and explore together on our international boarding school campus. Participants arrive from more than 20 different countries, creating a vibrant and diverse community where friendships quickly grow across cultures.
Ranum International Summer School combines language learning, exciting subjects, outdoor activities and social experiences – all in a safe and inspiring environment.
A COMMUNITY THAT COMMITS
One of the most special aspects of Ranum Summer School is the truly international atmosphere. Students from many countries live together on campus, share experiences and learn from one another.
English is the common language during classes and activities, making it easy to communicate and practice your language skills naturally throughout the day.
DESIGN YOUR OWN SUMMER
Students can explore a wide range of subjects and activities throughout the summer. Mornings focus on language and academic learning, while afternoons offer creative, sporty and practical profile subjects.
This flexible structure allows each student to design their own summer experience and discover new interests.
LIFE ON CAMPUS
During the summer school, students live together on Ranum’s large campus in Northern Denmark. Here you share meals, activities and everyday moments with friends from around the world.
With modern facilities, evening activities and exciting excursions, every day offers new experiences and opportunities to create unforgettable summer memories.
MORE THAN A SUMMER SCHOOL
Ranum International Summer School is more than just classes and activities. It is a place where cultures meet, friendships grow and new experiences are shared every day.
For many students, the summer at Ranum becomes a memorable journey filled with learning, adventure and friendships that last far beyond the camp itself.
One of Ranum Efterskole’s greatest philosophies states that the best way to learn is to experience” - Silvia Downing, USA
Strong values
The tree of life is the logo of Ranum Efterskole College. The tree symbolises the diversity and the broadness of the school. The root and the trunk symbolise the community, whilst the circle symbolises the global nature of our school. Students will experience moving out onto the thin branches, discover and grab experiences and excitement to bring back to the community. The circle of Togetherness is Ranum Efterskole College’s new symbol of community, friendship and our shared responsibility for a sustainable future.
An International Community Without Borders
Meet Friends From All Over the World
At Ranum International Summer School, you become part of a vibrant and welcoming international community.
Every summer, young people from across the globe gather at Ranum Efterskole College to share experiences, discover new cultures and create friendships that reach far beyond borders. Living and learning together on campus makes it easy to connect, and within just a few days the school becomes a place filled with laughter, curiosity and a true sense of belonging.
A TRULY INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY
The map below shows the many countries represented at Ranum International Summer School. English becomes the natural language of communication , giving everyone the opportunity to practice their skills while connecting with new friends from around the world.
ENGLISH SPEAKING COMMUNITY • INTERNATIONAL TEACHERS AND INSTRUCTORS
Friendships beyond borders
Many students say that the friendships they form during their summer at Ranum are among the most memorable parts of their experience. Long after the camp has ended, students often stay in touch, visit each other in their home countries and remain part of a global Ranum network.
The best summer of my life – I made friends from all over the world.”
Choose your subjects, shape your week and create your own
summer adventure
Design Your Own Summer
At Ranum International Summer School, every week is filled with learning, activities and new experiences. Our schedule is designed to give you a balanced summer where you can develop new skills, explore your interests and enjoy life together with friends from around the world.
Each weekday combines classes, activities and social time, while excursions and special events add even more highlights to the week.
A WEEK PACKED WITH EXPERIENCES
Every week at Ranum Summer School offers a variety of activities, subjects and social experiences. From morning classes to afternoon profile subjects and evening events, each day brings new opportunities to learn, explore and have fun.
Excursions and special activities are organised throughout the week, allowing students to discover the local area and enjoy memorable experiences together.
CHOOSE YOUR MODULES
Students design their own schedule by choosing subjects within three different modules. This flexible structure allows you to combine language learning, academic topics, creative subjects and sports.
Each module focuses on a different type of learning experience, creating a varied and engaging daily programme.
A HOME AWAY FROM HOME
An international living environment - to encourage cultural exchange and new friendships, we aim to place no more than two students of the same nationality in each room whenever possible. This ensures a diverse and international living environment where students can meet people from different cultures and backgrounds.
While rooms are separated by gender, corridors and student houses include both boys and girls, creating a lively and social community across the campus.
SAFE AND SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT
Teachers and staff live on campus throughout the entire summer school, ensuring that students always have support nearby.
Staff members supervise the campus 24 hours a day, creating a safe and supportive environment where students can relax, learn and enjoy their summer experience with confidence.
I really recommend Ranum Summer School, because it is awesome, it will change like your view of summer camps in other countries, and it is as amazing as you can think. This school helped me learning a lot and is a great place for making new friends”
A day at Ranum contains it all
You go to school, you have Profile Subjects, activities and duties together and you are with your friends all the time.
Ranum Summer
Try efterskole life in the summer
Ranum International Summer School is for young people aged 14–17. Participants come from more than 20 countries, and we speak English together during classes and activities. The international summer school has two start dates: July 5 and July 19. Choose how many weeks you would like to attend and which profile subjects you prefer. Whether you choose 1, 2, 3, or 4 weeks, you are guaranteed to make new friends, try a wide range of activities, and enjoy an amazing boarding school experience during your summer holiday.
International Summer School
July 5 and July 19 – August 1: Choose 1, 2, 3, or 4 weeks. Meet new friends from around the world and improve your English skills. Choose from exciting subjects such as English as a Second Language, Science, Social Science, Political Science, Sustainability Goals, and Business Studies. In the afternoons, you can select from a range of profile subjects including Sailing, Gastronomy, Music, Design, Football, Outdoor activities, and Fitness. We go on excursions every Wednesday and on selected Saturdays. We conclude International Summer School with a grand gala evening.
English Language School
July 5 and July 19 – August 1: Duration 2 weeks
If you would like to improve your English, a 2-week English Language Camp is the perfect choice. There will be intensive English classes in the mornings, with a focus on speaking skills and using the language naturally and confidently. In the afternoons, you can choose from a range of profile subjects, including Sailing, Gastronomy, Music, Dance, Design, Football, Outdoor activities, and Fitness. You will live with your new friends from all over the world, where English is the main language, giving you plenty of opportunities to practice every day.
Information & Registration
Read more about Ranum Summer School and Camps and sign up on our website. Watch videos and hear about other students’ experiences.
Summer School Subjects & Activities
You choose your 1st and 2nd priority for electives and profile subjects. Classes are subject to availability and will only be created if there are enough participants.
LANGUAGE SUBJECTS – MODULE 1
• Danish as a Second Language
• English as a Second Language
• Chinese – Beginner
• English Language School
ACTIVITY SUBJECTS – MODULE 2
• Coral Restoration
• Science
• Yoga
• Politics & Society
• Greenfingers
• Dance & Fitness
• Media & AI
• Event
• Sports
• Psychology & Philosophy
• Business & Marketing
• English Language School
PROFILE SUBJECTS – MODULE 3
• Ceramics
• Golf
• Diving
• World Cooking
• Badminton
• Volleyball
• Football
• Fitness
• Music
• Sailing
• Boardsport & Surf
• Craft & Creativity
• Adventure
EVENING ACTIVITIES & EXCURSIONS
• Sports, social time & games
• Casino Night & Gala
• Nordsøen Oceanarium
• Fårup Sommerland (Week 2)
Summer School
Module 1 Module 2
Danish - Second Language
Danish as a Second Language is for students whose native language is not Danish, focusing on practical spoken and written Danish skills.
English - Second Language
English as a Second Language helps non-native speakers develop confidence and strengthen spoken and written English through activities and level-based teaching.
Chinese - Beginners
Chinese for Beginners introduces non-native speakers to basic Chinese through simple conversations, pronunciation, vocabulary and common characters.
Business & Marketing
Business & Marketing introduces entrepreneurship, branding and strategy while developing practical skills in marketing and creative communication.
Coral Restoration
Coral Restoration introduces marine ecosystems and conservation while students learn about protecting and restoring coral reefs.
Event Planning
Event Planning introduces the creative and practical process of organising events from concept development to planning and execution.
Greenfingers
Greenfingers explores gardening, sustainability and growing plants while developing practical skills in working with nature.
Politics & Society
Politics & Society explores global issues, political systems and social development while encouraging discussion and critical thinking.
Physical Education
Physical Education develops teamwork, coordination and fitness through a variety of sports and physical activities.
Psychology
Psychology introduces how people think, feel and behave while exploring topics such as identity, relationships and human development.
Science
Science explores physics, chemistry and biology through experiments and hands-on investigation of how the natural world works.
Yoga
Yoga develops strength, flexibility and balance through guided practice, breathing techniques and mindfulness.
Module 3
Ceramics
Ceramics explores creative processes from shaping and glazing to finished pieces while developing skills in working with clay.
Scuba Diving
Scuba Diving introduces diving techniques, safety and underwater exploration while working toward an internationally recognised certification.
Golf
Golf introduces technique, coordination and course play while developing focus, patience and control.
Outdoor
Outdoor explores nature through activities such as hiking, teamwork challenges and outdoor skills.
Water Sports
Water Sports introduces activities such as surfing, wakeboarding and kayaking while developing balance and confidence on the water.
Craft & Creativety
Craft & Creativity explores different materials, techniques and design processes through creative hands-on projects.
Fitness
Fitness develops strength, endurance and healthy habits through varied workouts and goal-oriented training.
Music
Music explores rhythm, instruments and collaboration while developing musical skills through practice and performance.
Sailing
Sailing introduces basic sailing techniques, teamwork and navigation while learning to handle a sailboat on the water.
World Cooking
World Cooking explores international cuisines while developing cooking skills and understanding food cultures from around the world.
Ranum campus
School facts
• Total area: 29.500m2 17ha
• 535 beds
• 110 staff
• 55 classrooms
• 6 science classrooms
• 4 gyms
• 3 beach volleyball courts
• 4 Music rooms
• 2 dance halls
• Assembly hall for 500 people
• Cinema for 60 people
• Skateboard hall & workshop
• Design& fashion workshop
• Ceramics workshop
• Media workshop
TRACK & FIELDS SEMINARIEHUS
LIEN MULTISPORTS HALL
• Electronic music Beatlab
• eSports lab
• Gastronomy kitchens
• World Kitchen
• Nature sports centre
• Sports centre: 3 halls & climbing wall
• Greenfingers Project
• Næsbyhus in Næsby (3km) Textile, wood, metal, car workshops
• Vilsted Lake (300m) Canoeing, kayaking, adventure, etc.
• Maritime Centre in Rønbjerg (4km) 11 sailing boats, sauna and hot tubs
• Swimming pool and wakeboard park at Landal, Rønbjerg (4km)
History of Ranum Efterskole College
The idea behind Ranum Efterskole College came to light in 2002 in relation to a development project in the town of Ranum. Two years later, Ranum Efterskole College opened its doors in Kærhuset and in 2007, became an international school. In 2013, it was the largest bilingual efterskole with a full Cambridge IGCSE programme. Today, the school is the third largest efterskole with over 500 students from more than 25 countries, with over 50 different subjects being taught.
6 houses - 1 community
With 500+ students enrolled, Ranum Efterskole College is now one of the largest general efterskoles in Denmark.
The students will stay at our 29,500m2 campus in five different houses: Kærhuset, Seminariehuset, Lien, Præstegården and Ranumhus.
There is plenty of room for everyone! Ranum Efterskole College is located in picturesque North-West Jutland near the Western coastline.
LARGE AND SMALL COMMUNITIES
50 contact groups are allocated to each of the main houses. Each contact group consists of 10-12 students, and each group is appointed a personal contact teacher. These groups eat, clean and cook together.
THE MIRACLE OF RANUM EFTERSKOLE COLLEGE
The school’s values and focus on diversity, student democracy and international outlook went against a trend, where other efterskoles turned into so-called profile schools for sport, musik, P.E. etc. Many therefore doubted that Ranum Efterskole College would survive, but after a few years, people began to speak about of the miracle of Ranum. The idea that students and teachers collaboratively could shape their school year and form communities through democratic elections won. The miracle lives on and is in constant development.
“It is an experience that you will never forget.” Michelle Norris, Spain
MAIN BUILDING
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177 YEARS OF SCHOOL HISTORY
Ranum is one of Denmark’s oldest educational towns and since its beginning in 1848, more than 5000 teachers have graduated from the teachers programme at Ranum State College. The teacher programme was moved in 1987 and up until 2011, the buildings housed the Pedagog programme and the uppersecondary youth education programme ‘HF’. In 2009, Ranum Efterskole acquired the buildings and formally took over in 2011. In 2013, Ranum Efterskole acquired Ranumhus, a former sports folk high school, and later more houses around the town.
ROOTS IN GRUNDTVIG’S OG KOLD’S PHILOSOPHIES
The first Principal of Ranum State College, Ludvig Christian Müller, was a great personality. He was though to have taught the author Hans Christian Andersen and the philosopher Søren Kirkegaard. L.C. Müller knew Grundtvig and Christian Kold, whoose views and ideas about school would also infleunce Ranum State College. This legacy has been continued by Ranum Efterskole College and the proud traditions in relation to education are brought out into the whole World.
“It was really nice to live in a room with other people, also because you get to know each other so well and you get a good bond.”
Sandra Andrea Nielsen, Denmark
Use
code to read more of the school’s history and see pictures from the last 20 years.
Denmark
Denmark is a small country in Scandinavia, Northern Europe, with a population of 5,7 million. It is a thriving democratic culture and society shaped by it’s Nordic traditions and strong welfare system where all citizens have equal rights to social security, health and education,
Denmark is often referred to as one of the world’s best places to live due to their high level of equality, trust and freedom.
Other characteristics for Denmark include:
• The least corrupt country in the world, according to transparency.org
• Having a free and liberal education system, making Ranum Efterskole College possible.
• Renewable energy with over a third of Denmark’s total electricity consumption produced by wind power.
• Home to well known brands such as LEGO, MÆRSK, Vestas and Pandora.
• The term “hygge”, which is more like a feeling than an actual thing. See the quote below.
• Bicycles everywhere. They even have their own lanes in most cities.
• The land of fairy tales from the mind of Hans Christian Andersen.
• Highly respected for it’s design, architecture, film and arts
• One of the oldest monarchies in the world with a history that stretches back to the Viking Age. Considered one of the happiest countries in the world.
In a nutshell, Denmark and Ranum Efterskole College is an ideal starting point for young people, who want to explore Scandinavian culture, heritage and language, whilst still pursuing an international education in Europe.
It’s location in Northern Europe and it’s many connections to other European countries and the rest of the world, offers many opportunities for further exploration and continuation of studies.
The Vikings Hygge
Wind energy
Bicycles
LEGO
The Little Mermaid
The Danish Flag; Dannebrog
Danish butter cookies
Denmark
The Danish efterskole is a well-established independent, educational and residential institution for students aged 14-17
Efterskole
What is an efterskole? The Danish efterskole is based on the idea of combining academic learning with that of general ‘life-learning’ as a preparatory tool for all aspects of life, as well as facilitating an understanding of ‘the individual in a community’. Solidarity, community and unity are key concepts within the Danish efterskole.
The first efterskole was founded about 165 years ago based on the ideas of N.F.S. Grundtvig (1789-1872) who wanted schools to provide enlightenment for life rather than formal vocational training.
The Danish efterskole often represents a philosophy of offering such a variety of educational subjects, sports and activities that there is an opportunity for everyone to excel at something, and thus gain the experience and confidence to develop their talents to their own advantage and to the service of others.
It is inherent in the culture of many efterskoles that they be a reflection of societal diversity and
thus shall offer a variety of opportunities for personal, professional and cultural development.
FREEDOM OF THE EFTERSKOLE
Compared to public schools the efterskole has substantial freedom in terms of e.g. choice of subjects, teaching methods and educational approach. These vary in accordance with the school’s political, religious or pedagogical orientation. Freedom of the efterskole is assured by substantial state subsidies to both schools and students.
TEACHER-STUDENT RELATIONSHIP
One of the things that are unique about the efterskole is the teacher-student relationship. The teacher is responsible for both teaching and supervision outside of school hours. This means that teachers and students are together all day from the time they wake up until they go to bed. This often engenders a close, personal and non-formal relationship between students and teachers.
Ranum
Strong team
Our team consists of teachers, instructors, activity leaders, house staff, kitchen, technical and management staff. During the summer we also welcome international staff and volunteers who help create a vibrant and diverse environment for students from around the world. Many staff members live on campus during the camp period and are available to support students throughout their stay.
PROFESSIONAL TEACHERS
Language teachers and instructors are typically qualified teachers or university graduates with experience in international education. They focus on creating engaging lessons that strengthen students’ language skills, confidence and cultural understanding through interactive teaching and practical activities.
HOUSE STAFF
In each residence there are adult house staff who take responsibility for students’ well-being and daily life at the camp. They help create a safe and supportive environment and are always available if students need help, guidance or simply someone to talk to.
ACTIVITY INSTRUCTORS
Our activity instructors lead the many profile subjects and afternoon activities offered at the summer school. They are experienced in areas such as sailing, outdoor activities, sports, creative arts, music, gastronomy and design, helping students learn new skills while having fun.
PARTNERS
Ranum Efterskole College works closely with the following network-based organisations; UNESCO, AFS, Nordic Network, and ECIS. These networks open many doors around the world, especially for friendship schools.
Info
Who can attend?
Ranum International Summer School is open to students aged 14–17 from Denmark and around the world. Each summer, participants from more than 20 different countries join the programme, creating a vibrant international community where English is the common language during classes and activities. WHAT’S INCLUDED
The programme includes everything students need for a comfortable and active summer experience:
• Accommodation on campus
• Three meals per day and fresh fruit
• Classes, activities and evening events
• Excursions during the programme
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• One laundry per paid
• Airport transfer to and from Aalborg Airport or Aalborg Bus Terminal on arrival and departure days
TRAVEL & ARRIVAL
Most international participants travel via Aalborg Airport, which is located about one hour from the school.
On arrival days, Ranum staff welcome students at the airport and organise transport to the campus. Students arriving by train or bus can also use the Ranum shuttle service.
RULES & COMMUNITY
Our summer school community is built on trust, respect and responsibility.
Participants are expected to attend the classes and activities they have chosen and to respect the shared living environment. Key guidelines include:
• Respect for other participants and staff
• No bullying, harassment or discrimination
• No alcohol, smoking, nicotine products or drugs
• Rooms must be kept clean and tidy
• Participants must remain in their own rooms after 22:00
These guidelines ensure a safe and positive environment for everyone.
Read more about Ranum International Summer School and sign up directly on our website.
