A GAP FOR LIFE

by Leon Joshua Dreischulte

The Danish Folkehøjskole is a unique educational system without grades or age limits - just young people learning how to follow their passions

The sun is almost at its highest point, and from the black heated school roof there is a nice overview of the courtyard. Faded wooden benches with students relaxing, leaning their heads on each other‘s shoulders, surrounded by a juicy green meadow covered by faded dandelions. On the black tarred school roof three Belgian boys, Maximilien, Raphael and Marcellin, are lying on an air mattress enjoying a beer. Almost too picturesque to be true, and almost too beautiful to be in a school. This is what a day may look like in a folkehøjskole in Odder, a small Danish town, 30 kilometres south of Aarhus.

Learning For Life

This kind of school system was devised in 1844 by Nikolai Frederik Severin Grundtvig, a Danish writer, poet, philosopher, historian, pastor, educator and politician, who was the pioneer and founder of the folkehøjskole. Grundtvig was a staunch democrat and believed in the importance of democratic participation in education and society. He called for folkehøjskoler to be open and inclusive educational institutions that welcome people from all social classes and backgrounds. Through the exchange of ideas and active participation, students should be empowered to form their own opinions and participate in democratic processes. Grundtvig’s ideas have had a significant impact on the development of folkehøjskoler in Denmark and have given them a unique character. Today, these educational institutions continue to serve as important platforms for lifelong learning, cultural exchange and democratic participation. By putting Grundtvig‘s principles into practice, they empower people to realize their full potential and play a more active role in their communities and society. Raphael Bierna, 19, one of the Belgian boys on the school roof says, „We are living with each other in our own world and this is just incredible. I would advise everyone to try this magical experience.“ Raphael is in the video class and at the moment he is shooting a video with a small group of other students.

Embraces All Age Groups

A folkehøjskole is a non-formal residential school offering learning opportunities in almost any subject. Most students are between 18 and 24 years old. Gie Mosekær Svinth is 25 and in her fifth gap year. She was a bit worried that she would feel old and boring here before she started. But in the end she´s really glad that she chose to come here. She doesn’t feel the age gap very much, since they are all in the same place working together. Gie was also worried that she wouldn’t get any friends, but she met so many amazing people and have had such a great time here. She wants to study at VIA University College, a Multiplatform for Storytelling and Production, so she started here to be in the Film production class and use it for her application. She learned a lot and this spring she got as far as to the admission test at VIA and is now waiting for the results. Most people start studying at a younger age, but Gie was not prepared until now and she is grateful for all the life experience she´s achieved. Especially here at Odder folkehøjskole.

Preparing For Performance

A folkehøjskole is a non-formal residential school offering learning opportunities in almost any subject. Most students are between 18 and 24 years old. Gie Mosekær Svinth is 25 and in her fifth gap year. She was a bit worried that she would feel old and boring here before she started. But in the end she´s really glad that she chose to come here. She doesn’t feel the age gap very much, since they are all in the same place working together.

Gie was also worried that she wouldn’t get any friends, but she met so many amazing people and have had such a great time here. She wants to study at VIA University College, a Multiplatform for Storytelling and Production, so she started here to be in the Film production class and use it for her application. She learned a lot and this spring she got as far as to the admission test at VIA and is now waiting for the results. Most people start studying at a younger age, but Gie was not prepared until now and she is grateful for all the life experience she´s achieved. Especially here at Odder folkehøjskole.

Kitchen Duty

6 pm in small town Odder, hundreds of young people, hungry from playing pool, sport activities and cuddling are waiting in a queue for the last buffet meal they get today from the daily catering. Chili sin carne is waiting for empty stomachs to be filled. For some the priority ratio is rice, chili and cream, but for many of them its cream, rice and chili. The People having the kitchen duty this week are slightly displeased. Kitchen duty is not their first choice, but to alleviate the suffering, pop hits are often played on the bluetooth speakers and some of the students are dancing while doing the dishes. To most students kitchen duty is the only thing they don’t like at the school.

Personal Development

It is obvious that this is a place where people learn but also develop personally at the same time. No one is forced to learn anything. There are no grades or exams. But everyone can develop and expand their personal potential. Whether it‘s perfecting performing the song „Killing me Softly“ as a band or studying the principles of psychology, everyone pursue their personal interests.

But the most significant thing is that people forget what happens outside this institution. It is a small world of its own in which each person is acknowledged, but also a small bridge between the past and the future. It is a fruitful time to develop optimism for all that is to come. For Naira Thomsen, 21, the time at folkehøjskolen was also a confirmation that people respect her, „As an adult, you get the chance to grow without the pressure to perform. You get to experience a tight and trusting community that is rare elsewhere. Of course you don‘t make friends with everyone equally. But the friends you do make almost become family. Despite being openly queer I have only met acceptance and understanding.“•