What do students say

At Toppen I learned how to step out of my comfort zone, get to know new people and how to relate to people who may not be quite like you! I learned to become more confident in myself in front of an audience. It has come in handy in my journalism education and the job I have had in TV2, where I am, among other things, in front of a camera a lot and communicates to many people!

At the summit, I saw the value of community and spreading positivity. There was “always” someone to go to if you were bored. It's 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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Through trying out new activities and dealing with challenges in a safe environment, I experienced a sense of mastery that has been valuable even in retrospect.

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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At Toppen I learned to appreciate being out in nature even more. Getting to experience it with those who became my best friends, and with safe, clever and fun teachers, it 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 having lived 100% for an entire year is amazing and I think about it every single day!

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I have learned a lot about communication and dissemination, being safe in myself, management, work creatively and LOTS about collaboration and relationship building. It comes in handy in my education as a teacher. I learned SO much about myself and I got relationships that I will last all my life.

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 out.

I like that there is so much different to do on the line, we paddle kayaks, go on mountain hikes and much more. And then it's nice to travel together to a whole new place (New Zealand).

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Good memories are typical of the powder snow days in Hemavan, the surf waves in Lofoten or the climbing in New Zealand, but what I note as the best, are all the quiet moments around the fire or in front of the fireplace in the cabin. In these times, we often have what we call “weather-report. Then you can share your inner thoughts, good as well as bad, without anyone judging you. It is liberating and  creates a safety environment. These moments have given me: the strength to reach out a hand; the courage to lean on others when I need to; the confidence to share my heart.

The highlight was when we were on Drevjamoen Military Camp. We got a lot more done than I thought we were going to be allowed to, and that was Awsome! We got to be in action in the exercises, lay out in the field and spend the night with room inspection, and it was really good! Sergeant Sindre Bjørkmo who gave us theory whether the military itself. He went through everything thoroughly, so now i am at least prepared for the theory and practicality of the field.

The year at Toppen is definitely the best trip of my life so far. A year filled with joy, learning, laughter, northern lights that take your breath away, personal development and a lot, lot more!
Folk high school forms people, makes you safe, but not at least gives lifelong friendships.

On this line you will never be bored, because we do so much fun! Besides, you always have the opportunity to challenge yourself. And all the experiences we share, as well as pushing boundaries together, make the students very close! The affinity you get here is really something everyone should get to experience.

The teacher is wonderfully engaged and knowledgeable. It is a perfect mix of trying different exciting activities such as rafting, kiting and via ferrata, and delving into certain areas so that you have the skills to do it on your own later, such as climbing and mountain hiking. Thus, you can benefit from what you learn on the line for the rest of your life!

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The esports line at Toppen has given me 2 unforgettable years where I have developed on a personal level and as a team player. I have been able to compete at the highest level in Norway, gone to tournaments/events abroad and received guidance from professional coaches. Playing in teams becomes something completely different when you also interact with the people you play with, away from the PC. It becomes more personal and easier to work together.

Attending this line was absolutely amazing! With a very committed and skilled teacher, as well as free access to the classroom almost 24/7 — I got a lot done. It's wonderful to be able to be in one collective of people who are passionate about the same passion as me. I also became much more confident in myself and my music, and not least I've made friends that last a lifetime.

On this line, you really get to try everything you want! We test out many different genres and ensembles, and we get to try our hand at more instruments if we feel like it! We also have great freedom of choice when it comes to concerts, both the ones we put up ourselves and the ones we are going to see. It's really nice that we get to help influence the content of the line in this way.

If there is one place in my life that I have experienced being able to really let myself loose, it was on the theatre line at Vefsn Folkehøgskole. It was a year of incredible amounts of play, learning, collaboration and creativity. With the world's best teachers and amazing friends, we created our unique stage expressions and grew together in a wonderful bubble of laughter, fun, development. And in a school where there is also room to try other things, whatever that may be. One sanctuary, one place to belong.

At Toppen, I have cultivated new and old interests and gained experiences that I will look back on with great pleasure. The people around me have contributed to great conversations and taught me things that I bring to life. The Northern Lights are a big plus!