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There are many myths about folk high school in Norway. One of them is that students are “weirdos,” and that folk high school is only for those who don't know what to do with their lives. In folk high schools, however, there are all kinds of people with a diversity of plans for the future. We check in and settle the status with some of the former students at Vefsn Folkehøgskole Toppen.
What are they doing now? What was the value of their folk high school year?? Have they ever needed the things they learned at a Toppen?
Name: Herman Lyseng
What lcourse did you attend? Outdoor Life EASY/Sports and Outdoor Activities
What are you working/studying now?
I study landscape planning with landscape architecture in Sogndal and work at Intersport Sogndal.
In retrospect, what did you learn/experience at Toppen that has been useful?
I learned to appreciate being out in nature even more. Getting to experience that with what became my best friends, and with confident, clever and fun teachers was amazing! It's incredible how happy you get from a quarter of sunlight in December, or when a friend in class manages to get up on the surfboard for the first time!
Toppen is an investment in living life! The feeling of to have lived 100% for a whole year is awesome and i think about it every single day!
Name: Amalie Bjerkenes
What line did you walk on? Actor and theatre
What are you working/studying now?
I am now in my 4th year of primary school teacher s education 1st- 7th! Thriving great!
In retrospect, what did you learn/experience at Toppen that has been useful?
I learned SO much! First of all, it was golden to meet so many different people, this allowed me to develop as a person and become steadier in who I am! Having a safe and happy community is gold for daring to try and fail. I have learned a lot about communication and dissemination, being safe in myself, management, work creatively and LOTS about collaboration and relationship building.
I came from a small place and grew up with the same people around me. Moving far away, starting a theatre line (which I had never done before) and starting at a folk high school, I would never have missed it. One learns SO much about oneself, and I got relationships that I will have with me all my life.
Name: Caroline Hafnor Torgersen
What line did you walk on? Outdoor Life EASY
What are you working/studying now?
I'm studying law, peace and conflict studies.
In retrospect, what did you learn/experience at Toppen that has been useful?
After high school, I was bored and tired of grades and stress. At the top, I had the opportunity to challenge myself, without being considered in what I did. It gave me room to explore other sides of my interests than I had done in the past. In retrospect, outdoor activities meant a lot for me, and has contributed to many exciting experiences. In the spring I will study Peace and Conflict Studies in Nepal, and the plan is to go lots of hiking in the Himalayan mountains. I certainly don't think I would have chosen such an opportunity without my year at folk high school.
Name: Embla Høgset
What line did you walk on? Outdoor Life EASY
What are you working/studying now?
I am studying Bachelor of Optometry
What did you learn/experience at the top that you have needed in retrospect?
I say as I wrote on all my job applications: “At folk high school, I have seen the value of community and spreading positivity and believe this is something I can contribute to the workplace. “The feeling that one “always” has people around him/has a place to go to certain one is bored is worth gold in the fight against loneliness! I also learned that I manage more than I think, both physically and socially.
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