It's May, and yet another group of students has left us at Toppen. It becomes empty in the fireplace lounge, quiet in the dining room and no laughter is heard anymore on the stairs. And when it gets empty, we are left thinking about the students. The many wonderful people who have become part of The Toppen-Family up through the years. But what are they left with in retrospect? We have spoken to Mina Andrea Odberg Square, who was a student with us in 2020-21.
What has Toppen meant to you?
Toppen has meant a lot to me, and is a memorable year that is full of much joy, development and learning. It was here that for the first time I lived with a roomie, and shared a bathroom with 4 others in a rather small and cramped boarding house.
What did you learn?
What was not learned? We learned how important it is with the morning cleaning every week, hygiene. Living on top of new people. Give and take. Accept that one must adapt to those around you and accept inequalities in terms of personalities, skills, competencies and hobbies. All in all, everyone who lives at a folk high school is a big family, whether you like it or not. Each individual, both teachers and students help shape this funny and weird, but most of all safe environment and the folk high school feeling.
Do you learn anything academic in a school without a curriculum and exams?
You learn extremely much! On the mountain sports line we get several certificates for climbing and paddling, which we got through the activity we were doing. Most of all, you also learn as I said earlier, to see each other even if you are different. Both when it comes to cultures and hobbies.
What did you use afterwards from what you learned?
The washing has come in handy! And to be spontaneous. And otherwise everything we learned on the line.
What did you get from Toppen that you might not have had otherwise? Is folk high school a waste, just knitting and kindergarten?
Folkehøgskole is something that should have been normal and imposed after high school. Taking a break and meeting new friends is something special. This is the safest place one can go to after vgs. You do what you like, without sitting around reading boring theory and possibly having to work your way up for an exam. Knitting is cuddly moments after you've been out doing things with your line, climbed a rock wall or paddled down a river for the first time. School is a home where you can be yourself, and for the first time dare to have be yourself, and be accepted for exactly who you are, regardless of whether you have pink or blond hair. This is the place where you find out who you are, completely without family and hometown, perhaps with competition and judgmental glances if you stand out. Folk high school teaches you that you can be yourself and be accepted for who you exactly are. I believe folk high school has been a very important part of my life, and I would love to be in this “kindergarten” for many, many years.
What did you do after Toppen?
Now it's been two years since I finished Vefsn Folkehøgskole Toppen. After folk college, I took a year-long course in Intercultural communication in Kristiansand. This fall, I moved back home, started working as a BPA assistant and as a lifeguard, to earn and save money. I just got home from an amazing, exciting and educational trip with Ronja, who I went to class with Mountain sports and kayaking. We have been on a long-awaited backpacking for 2.5 months in Asia.
We at Toppen thank you for the talk, and wish Mina a lovely summer and good luck on new adventures!
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