What do you remember best from your time at the top?
I have so many good memories from my year at the Top that it's going to be hard to name everything. I walked in an amazing sports class and we were doing a lot of different things. I have good memories of, among other things. canoe and kayak tour in Lomsdal-Visten, 4×4 interval in “morderbakken”, bike ride over Dønna and Herøy, mountain tours, cave trekking, friday spinning on Kippermoen followed by heat pool, and finally sticking at Rema to buy chocolate screws, all new sports we tested out, trip to La Santa and New York. It was also very nice when we did activities across the lines. Since there were several different lines at school I got to know different people with different interests, and many of them became good friends. I still have a lot of friends with today.
What significance did the summit have for you, in the aftermath?
I really needed a year like that after a lot of hard work with school. It was lovely to have a year of just playing and fun and no demands to perform. I would say that I became a lot more confident in myself after the year at the top. I challenged myself to try things I thought might be scary, such as playing theatre, singing and dancing on a stage, or simply speaking in a larger assembly. The confidence was only built up at Toppen, and I was then much better equipped to face the everyday of studying in Trondheim in the autumn afterwards. I learned that it is not dangerous to try new things, nor is it dangerous to fail. This is something that I have carried forward in my life.
Synnøve has now obtained a Bachelor of Physiotherapy at NTNU in Trondheim, and has got a job as a physiotherapist for Vefsn Municipality. She works mainly in the Short Term Department, but has responsibility for the entire nursing home. One day a week, she works in Home Rehabilitation.
You ended up in Mosjøen again — was it by chance?
To be honest, it was probably a bit of a coincidence that I ended up here in Mosjøen again. It is known that it is difficult for us newly graduated physiotherapists to get a job, at least a permanent job. I've constantly been willing to move on to get the most work experience possible. So I applied for jobs all over the country. I was really set on having to move and jump from temp to temp in the next few years, but then I accidentally discovered the job advertisement at my job here in Mosjøen. Since I enjoyed myself so much in Mosjøen the year I went to Toppen, I had extra high hopes for this job. I was very happy when I was the one who ended up getting the job. Feeling very lucky.
What's so good about Mosjøen?
What I like about Mosjøen is that it is so varied here. Here I have the opportunity to take shorter or longer walks in nature without having to drive far first, and I can take city trips whenever I want. I love both tours, training, corps and city life, so feel Mosjøen can offer something in all these areas. In addition, it is very nice here in Helgeland and I have a lot of plans for places I want to go to.
And what do you think is good about Vefsn Folkehøgskole Toppen?
The best thing about the top is that there is a school that suitable for absolutely everyone. The school offers different lines and different electives, so everyone has the opportunity to find something they like. The fact that we were so many different personalities with very different interests probably contributed to it being such a good and inclusive environment the year I went to the Top. We found ourselves friends across the lines and learned a lot from each other. We enjoy working with people who are not exactly like ourselves. We become more tolerant and learn how to relate to others. This is useful experience to take with you further.
The teachers at school are awesome. They are keen for everyone to be seen and feel good. I really recommend everyone to take a year at the Top.
Thank you very much for the talk and kind words, Synnøve — very nice to have you back in Mosjøen again!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year <3
.avif)
.jpg)
