Now is the time to sign up for Norwegian summer programs. Immersion courses in language and culture await for children as young as 7 to high school students.
3/28/2006 :: The Norse Federation has offered its Norgesskolen programs in Norway since 2003, and every year the program attracts more youth from all over the world to Tomb Agricultural School, located just south of Oslo. In 2005, 57 students participated in activities such as 17. mai and Christmas celebrations, classes in Norwegian language, history and society, excursions, and outdoor fun, as well as taking care of the animals at the farm where the school is located.
Priya Kvam went to Norgesskolen for the first time last summer. The 15 year-old has a Norwegian father and an Indian mother, but has never lived in Norway. She appreciated that most of the other Norgesskolen students had a similar multicultural background.
“Outside of classes, people spoke all kinds of different languages: English, Spanish, Arabic, but classes were all conducted in Norwegian. I think there was only one person who was actually from Norway.”
The summer school’s theme was modern Norwegian history, and Norwegian independence from Sweden.
“We had a very full schedule, starting at 7:30 in the morning. Obviously we learned about the language, the culture, writing in Norwegian, gave oral reports and saw Norwegian movies. We went on field trips, visiting farms, Oslo, and a lumbermill. We also celebrated all the Norwegian festivities, like May 17 and Jul. We were even on Norwegian TV.”
At the Norwegian village “Skogfjorden” at Concordia Language Villages in Minnesota, youth from across the U.S. have had the opportunity to spend a summer in a Norwegian setting since 1969. Now, for the first time, the school offers programs in Norway as well: Credits Abroad offers high school students the opportunity to spend a month in Norway, enjoying a fun learning experience while at the same time earning language credits for school.
“The Credit Abroad in Norway is a continuation of what we are doing at Skogfjorden,” the dean of Skogfjorden, Tove Dahl said.
“While the students can learn a lot about Norway in Minnesota, actually going to Norway will give them a taste of the real thing.”
While potential Credits Abroad students are required to have Norwegian language proficiency comparable to two years of high school studies to enter the program, everyday smalltalk in the unique Sogndal dialect will surely add extra flavor to the skills of even the most fluent students.
“You learn the Norwegian language, you learn the culture, you meet a lot of new people. It’s a pretty good way to spend a vacation,” Priya Kvam said.
Norgesskolen
Age: 9 to 18 years
Location: Tomb Agricultural School, south of Oslo
Duration: 3 weeks
When: July 9 to 28
Focus: Norwegian language and culture
Phone: (+47) 23 35 71 70
www.norgesskolen.no
Concordia Language Villages
Age: 7 to 18 years
Location: Oslo and Sogndal, Norway, and “Skogfjorden,” in Minnesota
Duration: One-week exploratory, two-week immersion, or four-week high school credit sessions
When: Start in June or July
Focus: Norwegian language and culture
Phone: (800) 222-4750, ext. 312
www.concordialanguagevillages.org
Linda Prestegård / Thor Englund