Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Danish Education Special – Højskoler
A bigger perspective At the International Apostolic Bible College in Kolding, students learn not just about their relationship with God but also about themselves and their relationships with others. The long and short courses at the folk high school allow students to explore their faith and gain specific skills for work within the church. By Signe Hansen | Photos: Kolding Internationale Højskole
Based at the apostolic church in Kolding, the International Apostolic Bible College was founded in 1939. Students participate in the local church’s Sunday services, engage in community work and travel abroad to meet and work with other cultures. “A lot of young people today are very focused on their own life and how it looks to others. At our school, we turn that around 180 degrees,” explains principal Ingrid Frederiksen. “At most folk high schools you learn more about yourself and your relationships with others but an extra dimension here is that you learn about your relationship with God, and by understanding that relationship you come
to understand how that relationship, and not you, is at the centre of everything.” One of the students who had just that realisation is Beth Murray from England. “I used to think Jesus was a big part of my life until I had to learn to trust him for everything. He was a part of my life but now I can say that he is my life!” she says. The school runs two half-year courses as well as a number of shorter week and weekend courses.
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Serious fun for seniors
By Signe Hansen | Photos: Højskolen Marielyst
As one of just two senior ‘højskoler’ (folk high schools) in Denmark, Højskolen Marielyst offers a range of exciting one and two-week courses as well as day events. In a charming old farmhouse by the sea, you can explore the history of jazz, get acquainted with the newest technology, learn a craft, and much more. Based in a 19th-century farmhouse on Falster, Højskolen Marielyst offers plenty of opportunities to ‘hygge’. However, the almost 2,000 course participants who visit the school each year do much more than that. “All the people who come through our school are active seniors who want to make the most of their retirement years. They’re people who have the zest and vitality to take part in cultural debates, lectures and activities,” says principal Christian Schou. Højskolen Marielyst is located just 200 metres from one of Denmark’s best beaches and, prior to being turned into a folk high school in 1971, the farm building was run as a beach hotel. Much of the hotel’s comfort and charm has been preserved, and course participants get to enjoy a healthy traditional Danish diet with a 78 | Issue 106 | November 2017
large breakfast buffet, two warm courses for lunch and an evening buffet of warm and cold dishes. Average prices: One-week course: 4,400DKK. Two-week course: 5,600DKK. Courses include all meals, excursions and evening concerts as well as subjects such as: jazz, war history, use your iPad, birdlife, hiking, golf, music, watercolour, creativity, biking, and many more. Courses run from the end of January to the beginning of December. Web: www.hojskolenmarielyst.dk