The Christian folk high schools are built on Christian values. They are owned by, or associated with, Christian organizations or denominations. They encourage students with different interests and beliefs to apply.
Food: Vegetarian
Most schools will accommodate food allergies and other dietary needs. If you have questions, please contact the school directly.
Environmental certification:
Fairtrade
Location: Birkenes Kommune
Study tour for the course: Kristiansand-Arendal, Trondheim and Røros, Skiing and cosy cabin life, Sleep-over at a light house, «Biking» on the railroad
Study tour for the school: Havglimt, School trip to Denmark, Valgfri tur: Danmark - København, Valgfri tur: England, Valgfri tur: Ecuador og Galápagos
Experience Norway’s language, culture and stunning nature. Enjoy spectacular nature scenes as well as music, food, art and fun. Learn Norwegian both in class and during your free time with friends.
Norwegian language and culture
At Folkehøgskolen Sørlandet, you’ll grow academically and personally within an international community. In the dorms, during meals, on trips, and through interactions with friends, you’ll be challenged to get to know both yourself and others.
Our Norwegian language teaching uses the “suggestopedia” method—fun, intuitive, joyful way to acquire a second language. The method is very well suited for beginners, which is where we start – at the beginning. While knowing English is helpful, it's not required. Join the different activities at school in your free time – get to know Norwegian students and practice your new language skills.
Beyond language, you'll gain insights into Norwegian culture and society - music, traditions, art, nature - while sharing your own culture. Personal exchange is key to understanding the world we live in.
We’ll explore local cities for concerts, food, and museums, and enjoy nature hikes for fresh air, stunning views and exercise. Plus, you’ll join other classes for skiing, cooking, outings, and more.
There are endless possibilities. We warmly welcome you to Norway!
Kristiansand-Arendal
Mandatory: Yes
Price: Included in course price
The southern coast of Norway has several small, cozy cities that we’ll want to visit – for concerts, sightseeing, restaurants, museums and more.
Trondheim and Røros
Mandatory: Yes
Price: Included in course price
Duration: 4 dager
We travel by train through spectacular Norwegian nature going north. We end up in the beautiful and vibrant city Trondheim, where we’ll visit historical sites, eat good food and enjoy ourselves. Next we visit a small city, Røros, which is known for being a living museum with its wooden buildings and traditional crafts on display.
Skiing and cosy cabin life
Mandatory: Yes
Price: Included in course price
Snow! You really can’t come all the way to Norway without experiencing snow. Skiing, ice skating and sledding – try it out, see how much fun it can be. At night we bundle together in cozy cabins, getting warm, making food together, talking, laughing...
Sleep-over at a light house
Mandatory: Yes
Price: Included in course price
Being close to the ocean, birds sailing on the winds, waves crashing onto the rocks – where to meet the Norwegian costal culture better than at a light house?
«Biking» on the railroad
Mandatory: Yes
Price: Included in course price
On our way to Preikestolen, we’ll go by a small city – Flekkefjord - and try out the draisins (a sort of bike) that will lead us on a closed rail road – a trip with nice scenery and a different and fun activity.
I ukene før påske har vi også våre valgbare skoleturer. Dette er ulike turer som pågår i samme tidsperiode. Turene har ulike destinasjoner og ulike priser. Du velger skoletur etter at de blir presentert i oppstarten av året.
Pris og destinasjon kan bli endret til skolestart.
Optional trip: Copenhagen, Denmark
Price: Included in course price
This is one of the 3 group trips you can choose from. It takes place in March/April. You choose the trip after you have started school (The cost is included in the school fee - so this trip does not cost anything extra).
Copenhagen is a vibrant capital with a European flair. There are many opportunities here!
Lonely Planet named Copenhagen the best city in the world to visit in 2019. If you choose to join us to the “King’s City,” you might understand why.
We stay very centrally, within walking distance to most of what the charming capital is known for: bustling street life, cozy cafes, happy people, peaceful parks, magnificent architecture, beautiful streets and alleys, exciting art and cultural life, shopping, and Tivoli.
The Copenhagen Card is included, giving you access to free public transport and about 80 attractions and sights. Some activities we do together, some in groups, and some you can choose freely. Together, we create a program that is educational, exciting, and unique.
Since the price for Copenhagen is included in the school fees, this is a budget trip. But you will see and experience that it is entirely possible to have a rich and unforgettable trip without it costing too much.
Optional trip: England
Price: 10 000
This is one of the 3 group trips you can choose from. It takes place in March/April. You choose the trip after you have started school (This trip costs an additional 10,000).
Join us on a rich journey you will not soon forget! We travel across England. From the port city of Liverpool to the capital London. Experience musicals, Stonehenge, Oxford University, Silverstone Racetrack, and the city of London itself! This is a trip for those who want to see and experience a lot!
We start the trip in Liverpool, where we visit the Beatles Museum, the Merseyside Maritime Museum, and try to schedule the trip on a match day so that those who wish can get tickets to a Liverpool match at Anfield! We then travel to Birmingham, where we both explore the city and attend a musical together.
Next, we travel to Silverstone, a renowned Formula 1 track, where we visit the motor history museum. Here you have the opportunity to book a drive on the track in beautiful supercars! (This is paid for by the student if desired).
We then visit Oxford University, where we get a tour from local students, before traveling to see perhaps the world’s most talked-about mystery: Stonehenge. The trip ends in London, where we have plenty of time for sightseeing, shopping, and exploration.
This is a fantastic opportunity for those who want to experience the best of England!
The trip may vary slightly from year to year. This outline is based on the trip in March 2025.
Optional trip: Ecuador & the Galápagos Island
Price: 33 000
This is one of the 3 trips you can choose from. The decision you make after arrival at the school.
Join us on an exclusive journey in beautiful Ecuador! A trip of a lifetime. High mountains, jungle, and lush nature on the mainland, before flying 100 km out into the Pacific Ocean to the world’s most exotic place: the Galápagos Islands. On this trip, you will experience unique encounters with local people and see parts of the world that are difficult to visit.
Do you want to experience being 4000 meters above sea level? Meet people who live in the Amazon? Meet monkeys and wild animals? From high mountains, to jungle, rivers, and an incredible coast.
Here is a bit of what you will experience if you choose to join the trip to Ecuador:
The Andes - the world’s longest and South America’s highest mountain range
The Amazon jungle - a walk in the forest to see insects and plants is something entirely different here
The Galápagos Islands in the Pacific Ocean - here there will be sun, sea, and snorkeling
Swimming with sharks, iguanas, and giant tortoises
Wonderful people
Great contrasts
The beautiful city of Cuenca
Rafting and cycling in Baños
Jogging at 4000 meters altitude
The magical coast of Ecuador
The big city of Guayaquil
Beautiful architecture
Indian market
Different, lush nature
Ecuador is a fantastic and varied country! It just has to be experienced!
We have ourown guide and bus driver whowilltakeusaroundthe country. We will travel a lot and get many impressions!
We have three different kind of trips:
Linjeturer: Trips with your class. Mandatory, and is included in the price you pay.
Fellestur: Trips with the whole school. Mandatory, and is included in the price you pay.
Valgbar skoletur: You chose between three trips. The choice is made in the beginning of the year. The students joining the trips are mixed from all classes.
Copenhagen. Is included in the price
England. Additional cost.
Ecuador and Galapagos. Additional cost.
Price and destination for school trip is opt for change before the school begins.
Havglimt
Mandatory: Yes
Price: Included in course price
Duration: 2 dager x2
Meals included per day: 3
We travel to the archipelago of Southern Norway for overnight stays and fellowship twice a year. The first time is at the beginning of the school year to get to know each other better, and the second time is at the end of the school year to reminisce and enjoy good times together.
School trip to Denmark
Mandatory: Yes
Price: Included in course price
Meals included per day: 3
The first overseas trip of the year is a group excursion where friendships are forged, laying the foundation for an amazing year ahead!
At the beginning of the school year, we travel to Rønbjerg Holiday Center in Denmark. There, we mainly stay in cabins grouped by our respective classes, but much of the program is communal and cross-line. As part of the mandatory activities, you can choose from an activity menu based on your own interests and preferences.
During the four days of this getting-to-know-you trip, we bond together. In many ways, we lay the groundwork for a safe and strong community, which in turn contributes to making the year at Folkehøgskolen Sørlandet great!
We are a comprehensive school. We are proud of that.
By comprehensive school, we mean:
A wide variety of course offerings
A wide variety of staff expertise and backgrounds
A wide variety of facilities, and thus opportunities for leisure activities
A diversity of courses attracts a diversity of students
A diversity of expertise allows for a variety of elective subjects
We have a well-maintained school. We are proud of that too.
Even though the school started in 1912, we have a well-maintained school that has been well-run for many years.
By well-maintained, we mean:
We have two skilled caretakers who constantly maintain and refurbish rooms and buildings
The student rooms are of high standard, with showers and toilets attached to the rooms. In the dormitory, there are common rooms and kitchens
We have a well-equipped gym, a large new sports hall, and our own swimming pool with a sauna
In addition to wireless and wired internet in the dormitory, we have our own LAN room for connecting with your own computer
We have our own café, car workshop, football room, billiards, table tennis, garage, arts and crafts room, barbecue hut, and large common room. Everything is set up for a fulfilling school year and varied leisure time!
The school is centrally located in Birkenes center. Here, it is a short distance to shops and eateries, a lighted trail, an artificial turf field, and hiking trails in the nearby nature. Public transport is our nearest neighbor. Buses go to Kristiansand and Lillesand from here. From Kristiansand, there are trains and buses to Stavanger and Oslo. Only 20 kilometers away is Kjevik airport.
The Christian folk high schools are built on Christian values. They are owned by, or associated with, Christian organizations or denominations. They encourage students with different interests and beliefs to apply.
