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Denmark Gap Year: Folk College

Attend Folk College in Denmark

If you are seeking an unforgettable adventure blending education, culture, and personal growth, look no further than attending Folk College in Denmark! Click here to review available options.

A folk college (in Danish: højskole) is a vibrant, life-enriching school where you learn by doing, without tests and textbooks. You meet amazing people eager to make new friends and explore new horizons—all while discovering your passions. Imagine living, dining, attending classes, and spending leisure time with your fellow students and teachers, creating a close-knit community much like a family.

In this supportive and secure atmosphere, everyone is free to be themselves, experiment with new ideas, make mistakes, and – most importantly – learn from them. With the stunning Danish countryside as your backdrop, you’ll wake up to rolling hills, charming villages, and picturesque landscapes every day, providing endless inspiration for your journey.

Things to know about Denmark

Full of moors, lakes, farmlands, and forests, Denmark is the ideal place to enjoy nature and experience a new culture. Bicycles are everywhere; they even have bicycle highways! Danes value their personal space but are very warm once they open up and they love to be cozy and comfortable. Danes usually relate to one another in a casual, informal way. Disagreement with others or asking questions is not generally seen as a sign of disrespect. Although Danes are familiar and relaxed in their interactions, there is usually little physical contact between friends and/or relatives in public.

In addition to AFS participants, there will be many international and Danish young people at the folk college. Your time in Denmark will provide ample opportunities for sharing intercultural experiences and exploring exciting and challenging activities with young people from all over the world!

Folk College in Denmark_Why AFS

Why AFS?

Choosing AFS as your pathway to Denmark’s folk colleges means more than just enrolling—it means joining a trusted global network with decades of expertise in intercultural exchange. AFS provides personalized guidance from start to finish, including help with applications, placement at a college that matches your interests, and online pre-departure orientations to prepare you for life abroad. Once in Denmark, you’ll have access to 24/7 support, a local contact person, and the security of a well-established organization with experience handling logistics, safety, and cultural immersion. Additionally, you will have an AFS contact family, which is a local Danish family with whom you may spend time – e.g. during seasonal holidays and some weekends. With AFS, you’re not just attending a folk college—you’re gaining peace of mind, a supportive community, and the assurance that every detail of your experience is thoughtfully managed.

Folk College Options

You’ll have the opportunity to choose from nine unique folk colleges across Denmark, each with its own focus areas such as global citizenship, Japanese language, film production, technology and design, sports, sustainability, the arts, and more. Click here to review our program options. Once you begin your AFS Application, you’ll be able to select the school you’d like to apply to.

Be creative at a very international college

At Brenderup Folk College students from all over the world gather to learn about creativity, sustainability, nature, travelling and body & mind. Subjects include ceramics, design, art, Danish culture, sustainable design and perma garden.

You will also have the opportunity to travel with the college to Kenya or Nepal to work there as a volunteer.

Eligibility

Graduates Eligible? Yes, high school graduates are eligible to participate.
Minimum GPA No Minimum GPA.
Age Range (at program start) 18 years and 0 months to 24 years and 0 months
Language Skills No language requirement.

Based on differences in culture, strict government regulation of medications, and other local customs, it has been our experience that not all of our international AFS partners are able to support students with certain diagnoses, including but not limited to, severe allergies, strict dietary restrictions, ADD/ADHD, and those currently taking or who have taken psychotropic medications and/or received counseling for mental/psychological issues within the past year. If this applies to you, please get in touch with an AFS Study Abroad Specialist early so that we can determine the right experience for you.

Your Journey to Denmark

Before and during your time in Denmark, you’ll be offered both online and live Global Up Abroad sessions to gain a comprehensive understanding of intercultural issues. When preparing for departure, AFS-USA will coordinate and share your international travel with you. You will need to coordinate your own travel to the point of international departure. From there, your journey in Denmark will begin when you land, where you’ll be met by school staff , who will help you travel onwards to your local community by either train, bus, or car.

Folk College in Denmark_Accommodations

Your Accommodations

One of the most distinctive aspects of this Danish folk college program is the fact that you’ll be living alongside students from around the world! A big part of the learning experience of an “Efterskole-stay” are the social competencies that students acquire from living closely together, like gaining a deeper sense of empathy, intercultural understanding, and ability to compromise. The dorm experience will provide an opportunity for intercultural exchange, and you’ll get to know other international students during recreational activities. While you will study, eat and sleep at the college, you’ll also have a Danish contact family whom you can visit! Building relationships with your Danish contact family will be an opportunity to learn more about everyday life in Denmark and cultural traditions. Visits typically happen once a month, or whatever amount of time is agreed on between you and your contact family.

Folk College in Denmark_School

Settling into Daily Life

Classes at your folk college are based on dialogue and mutual learning between teachers and students. Learning is less formal than traditional high school or college courses, as folk colleges aim to attract students who wish to develop their skill and understanding in their particular field of interest. During your folk college program, you’ll stay with your fellow classmates and develop close bonds with them. You’ll have the chance to take courses in a wide variety of areas such as sustainability, music, arts, technology, sports, project management, and much more!

Folk College in Denmark_Exploring the Area

Exploring the Area

When not participating in classes and other learning opportunities, you can expect to fill your free time with fun activities like biking, going to the beach, playing volleyball, and making bonfires! Anywhere in Denmark is only an hour or less away from the seashore, so it’s a perfect place for those who like to go swimming, sailing, rowing, or paddle boarding. There is no end to the kinds of places you can visit; you’ll never be far from local lakes and forests, small quaint villages, or larger cities full of museums and attractions!

Folk College in Denmark_Food

Food You’ll Encounter

Living in a Danish folk college means you’ll share meals in the school’s dining hall, where fresh, communal cooking is part of daily life. Expect hearty breakfasts with breads, cheese, cold cuts, and porridge; warm lunches and dinners that often feature meat, fish, potatoes, seasonal vegetables, and traditional Danish stews; and plenty of salads, rye bread, and dairy products. Coffee, tea, and fruit are usually available throughout the day, and vegetarian options are common. Meals are included as part of your dormitory stay, creating a cozy and social dining culture where you’ll eat together with classmates and teachers—an integral part of the folk college experience.

What's Included

  • 75+ years of experience delivering high-quality programs through a worldwide network of 30,000 dedicated volunteers
  • Accommodations at a Folk College
  • An AFS Contact Family
  • School enrollment fees
  • Worldwide, 24-hour emergency assistance
  • Access to an in-country support team and network, as well as our Participant Support Department based here in the U.S.
  • Orientations and intercultural education before and during your program
  • International secondary medical travel coverage
  • Visa support and guidance
  • Inclusion in a worldwide returnee and alumni network of over 1,000,000 people

Scholarships and Aid

We believe in the power of intercultural experiences and the potential of our students! That’s why we’re dedicated to meeting the demonstrated financial need of accepted applicants. The deadline to be considered for scholarships for semester and year-long programs departing June through August is March 5th. Learn more and view all deadlines below!

Learn More View Deadlines

Visa Info

Do I need a visa/residence permit for Denmark? Yes.
How do I apply for the visa? (By mail, In-person, In host country) In-person.
Visa/Residence Permit Process Difficulty Level (Easy, Average, Complex) Average
Estimated Visa/Residence Permit Expenses
($ – $$$)		 $$$
Frequently Asked Visa Questions Visit our general visa FAQ page for more information.

Returning Home

“Life-changing” is hard to describe, yet it’s nearly always the first thing that AFSers say when asked about their experience abroad. “Transformed” is another one. When you return home from your study abroad in Denmark, you’ll bring with you a sense of accomplishment unlike any other. You’ll have gained maturity and independence, discovered new passions, and developed the confidence and resilience to accomplish anything you set out to do.

That transformation isn’t only visible to you, though – others see it as well. AFSers gain critical skills for college and careers. Second language fluency, intercultural competence, creativity, and critical reasoning will help you succeed, whatever path you take. “Life-changing” means it’s only the beginning. It’s not just an adventure abroad; it’s a whole new reality.

In fact, our alumni reviews have made AFS one of the top-rated organizations in the study abroad industry.