Internasjonal - Catch Norway

  • Course length: All year
  • Start-up date: 22.08.2027
  • Course teaching amount: 15 hours/week
  • Price: from NOK 136 000,-
  • Foundation:
    Christian?
    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 🇳🇴, West Coast Adventure, Skiing and cosy cabin life 🇳🇴, Sleep-over at a light house 🇳🇴
  • Study tour for the school: Havglimt 🇳🇴, School trip to Denmark 🇩🇰, Danmark - København 🇩🇰, England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿, Ecuador og Galápagos 🇪🇨
Send applicationFolkehøgskolen Sørlandet

    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. 

    Teaching method

    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 the Language

    At our school, you’ll do more than just learn Norwegian – you’ll experience Norway. Through music, traditions, art, and nature, you’ll discover what everyday life here is all about. At the same time, you’ll share your own culture with others. Real understanding happens when people meet – and that’s exactly what this year is about.

    We explore nearby cities for concerts, great food, and inspiring museums, and head out into nature for fresh air, breathtaking views, and good exercise. Together with other classes, you’ll take part in fun activities like skiing, cooking, excursions, and much 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.

    West Coast Adventure

    Mandatory: Yes

    Price: Included in course price

    Duration: 4 days

    Experience Norway – our destination is the beautiful city of Bergen on Norway's west coast, with museums, sightseeing, food and views over the city. Along the way, we drive from the coast to the mountains, experiencing beaches, waterfalls, a glacier, a stave church and nature ablaze in autumn colours 

    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?

    I denne perioden har du valget mellom ulike turer. Alternativene blir presentert i starten av året, og du får begrenset med tid til å velge, så sett deg inn i turene i forkant. Om det skulle skje at det er få som velger samme alternativt som deg, vil det kunne påvirke både pris, og hvorvidt turen blir gjennomført eller ikke.

    Pris og destinasjon kan bli endret til skolestart.

    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.

    England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

    Price: 10 500

    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 10,500).

    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.

    Ecuador & the Galápagos Island 🇪🇨

    Price: 35 500

    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!

    VideoSpill video
    VideoSpill video

    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 days 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!

    Age limits

    Applicants must turn 18 during the calendar year in which the school year begins. For the 2027/28 school year, this means applicants must be 18 years old by December 31, 2027.

    Admission requirements

    Admission Requirements

    • Applicants who require additional support or accommodations must describe these needs in their application. Please note that only a limited number of places are available on each course for students requiring additional support.
    • International applicants must either:
      • Have a good command of English, or
      • Provide a Norwegian contact person.

    Application Procedures

    • Applications can be submitted through our website or via www.folkehogskole.no.
    • Applications for the 2027/28 school year can be submitted from October 1, 2026. Applications are accepted and processed on a rolling basis as they are received by the school.

    Priority criteria

    Limitation of admission

    • We only have 15 places for students with citizenship outside of Schengen/UK.
    • We have a limited of spaces for students that don't have a contact person in Norway.

    Admission and Selection Criteria for students from Schengen/UK

    • Places are primarily offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
      • However, the school reserves the right to give priority to applicants based on gender balance and motivation.
      • There will be a limited places for international students on other courses then "International - Catch Norway"
    • Applicants must be motivated to participate actively in the school's educational programme.
    • Applicants who are significantly older than the main student age group may be given lower priority.

    Admission and Selection Criteria

    • We consider all international application received before 14th of November like equal. Application coming later will be considered continously as they are received. These are the selection criteria:
      • Your age. Applicants who are significantly older than the main student age group may be given lower priority. 
      • Your contry's categorization from UDI. UDI have categorized all countires in 5 color code. White, green and yellow is likely to get a positive answer for a VISA, and will be prioritized, though we always give a few chances to students from orange and red category.
      • Finances. If you have financial support ready. 
      • Cultural background. would love to have people from all around the world with different backgrounds and languages. We try to have a limitation of number of students from each country. We will start with only two, and if it doesn't seem like we will fill up our quota, we may open up for more citizens from same country.
      • Motivation: Applicants must be motivated to participate actively in the school's educational programme.
    • After matching the different criteria, the places are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. However, the school reserves the right to give priority to applicants based on gender balance as the courses fills up..
    •  

    Admission process

    Application Process

    Once you have submitted your application, you will receive a confirmation by email confirming that we have received it. We will also try to contact you through WhatsApp or SMS.

    Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis; however, no admission offers can be made before 15 November, which is the common admission start date for all Norwegian folk high schools.

    Applications submitted after 15 November will be processed as they are received.

    • Applications for the 2027/28 school year can be submitted from 1 October 2026.
    • The earlier you apply, the greater your chances of securing a place.
    • There is no application deadline.
    • Admission begins on 15 November and continues as long as places remain available. We encourage applicants to submit their application before admissions begin.

    What Happens If I Receive an Offer?

    If you are offered a place, we will contact you directly. If we are unable to reach you by phone, we will send you a text message.

    The admission offer will be sent both digitally by email and if you have a contact person in Norway, as a printed letter by post. You will have 14 days to respond to the offer.

    How to accept an offer?

    • Citizens from Schengen/UK:
      • Fill out the admission form, and send it to us.
      • Pay the admission fee.
    • Citizens from outside of Schengen/UK:
      • Fill out the admission form, and send it to us.
      • Pay the full tuition fee to the school. It is required by the UDI to apply for a students VISA/student resident permit.

    How to apply for a VISA?

    When you accept the offer of admission and you have paid the full tuition, we will send you documentation confirming that you have been admitted to the school, included proof of your place to stay, and payment of tuition fee.

    You are the one that need to apply for a VISA, and need to find out how you do it from your country, and what documents you need. Check this link for more information.

    The UDI promise that application for a VISA that is received before 1st of July 2027 will be processed before the school starts.

    Please note that applicants who accept an offer of admission have a 14-day right of withdrawal in accordance with the Norwegian Right of Withdrawal Act.

    We are proud to be a broad-based folk high school, offering a wide range of study programs, electives, facilities, and experiences. Our diverse staff and student community create an inclusive environment where different interests, backgrounds, and perspectives come together.

    Founded in 1912, Folkehøgskolen Sørlandet combines tradition with modern facilities. Students enjoy comfortable rooms with private bathrooms, shared lounges and kitchens, a well-equipped gym, a modern sports hall, a swimming pool with sauna, campus-wide internet access, and a dedicated LAN room. The campus also includes a café, workshops, arts and crafts facilities, billiards, table tennis, and spacious common areas, providing everything needed for a memorable school year.

    Ideally Located in Southern Norway

    The school is located in the heart of Birkeland, within walking distance of shops, cafés, sports facilities, and beautiful natural surroundings. Excellent public transport links provide easy access to Kristiansand, Lillesand, and Arendal, while Kristiansand Airport Kjevik is just 20 km away.

    The Meeting That Changes Lives

    Our vision is that the friendships, experiences, and encounters formed at school and on our travels create lasting positive change.

    Our core values are:

    • Diversity – We value differences.
    • Presence – We see and support one another.
    • Courage for Life – We prepare each other for life's challenges.
    • Growth – We develop through community and shared experiences.

    You will become part of a welcoming and inclusive community where students and staff are genuinely engaged. Inspired by our Christian values, we promote compassion, respect, and human dignity, while ensuring that every student is seen, valued, and encouraged to grow.

    Courses at the school

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