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Who are the Toppen students? From Folk High School to Career 2

Posted by
Nina Stimo
Published
18/12/2025

The Toppen students have a diversity of plans for the future, and over the years we have had a wonderful number of nice people with us.

But what do former Toppen students do now? What was the value of their folk high school year?? Have they ever needed what they learned at the folk high school? We ask  some of the former students at Vefsn Folkehøgskole Toppen. Meet Hanna, Linda, Reidun and Camilla.

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Name: Camilla Saxhaug

What course did you attend? Actor and theatre

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What are you working/studying now?

I finished a bachelor's in journalism from Volda before the summer, and since I have been working in TV 2! Now I'm leaving for new adventures, and moving to France to learn French!

 

In retrospect, what did you learn/experience at Toppen that has been useful?

At Toppen I learned how to step out of my comfort zone, get to know new people and relate to those who may not be similar to myself! I learned to become more confident in myself in front of an audience, which has come in handy in my education and job, as I am, among other things, in front of a camera a lot and communicate to many people!
Toppen was a safe and super place to move to as my first time living away from home after high school. Something that has given me good experiences to live in a collective and to dare to travel/move further away than to the neighboring municipality!

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Name: Reidun Naalsund

What course did you attend? Mountain Sports and Kayak New Zealand (Now X-SPORT)

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What are you working/studying now?

I am studying kindergarten teacher at Høgskulen på Vestlandet (Sogndal).

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In retrospect, what did you learn/experience at Toppen that has been useful?

By trying new activities and dealing with challenges in a safe environment, one develops a sense of mastery that is valuable for future tasks.

Everyone should start at a folk high school! It's a year filled with new adventures and friends for life. I was so lucky to find love too.

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Name: Linda Lassila (Finland)

What line did you walk on? Outdoor Life Easy

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What are you working/studying now?

I work as an environmental educator at Villa Elba youth centers in Kokkola, Finland.

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In retrospect, what did you learn/experience at Toppen that has been useful?

Various things that we did at the course, such as climbing and paddling. Living abroad in with others. Mastery. Actually a memory for life.

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Name: Hanna Gundhus

What line did you walk on? Mountain Sports & Kayak (now X-SPORT)


What are you working/studying now?

I work in the Armed Forces

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In retrospect, what did you learn/experience at Toppen that has been useful?

Spending time on what you yourself are passionate about or interested in, rather than what others expect you to do. It's given me a lot more peace of mind in the choices I've made career-wise. Students and staff at the school were good examples of the fact that well-being in everything you do must come first.

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