Discover Sustainable Living at Brenderup Folk College in Denmark

Attend Folk College in Denmark

At Brenderup Folk College in Denmark, you’ll live and learn alongside young people from Denmark and around the world. You’ll explore sustainability, nature, creativity, and other subjects that interest you through hands-on classes, workshops, group activities, and shared experiences.

Unlike a traditional Danish high school, a folk high school is a residential school where students live, learn, and take part in activities together. There are no exams or grades, and you don’t need specific academic qualifications to attend. Instead, the focus is on exploring your interests, learning from others, and being part of a close-knit community.

Founded in 1986, Brenderup Folk College brings together people from different cultures and backgrounds around a shared interest in sustainability and community. The school is guided by the belief that meaningful peace-building begins with connections between people. During your time at Brenderup, you’ll have opportunities to exchange ideas with people from different cultures, challenge yourself, and gain new perspectives that can stay with you long after you return home.

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.

Experience Danish Culture and Community

Surrounded by lakes, forests, farmland, and open landscapes, Denmark offers plenty of opportunities to connect with nature and experience everyday Danish life. Bicycles are a way of life—you’ll even find dedicated bicycle highways! Danish culture tends to be casual and informal, with people valuing personal space while enjoying close-knit communities and a cozy, comfortable way of life.

At Brenderup Folk College, you’ll experience this culture alongside young people from Denmark and around the world. Living and learning together creates countless opportunities to share perspectives, build connections, and take part in creative, challenging, and meaningful activities with an international community.

UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Brenderup follows the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals as inspiration in its daily life and teaching, organizing theme days and project weeks focusing on sustainability, ecology, preservation, climate action, peace – and so much more!

Subjects and Workshops

Your semester will be divided into two periods, providing the opportunity to explore a variety of subjects that interest you. Classes and workshops cover subjects such as art, nature, cooking, music, outdoor skills, mental health, and sustainability.

You’ll also have the opportunity to explore classes truly unique to this school, like…

Learning about sustainability, architecture, and green building techniques by constructing a tiny house
Discovering the practice of permaculture through agricultural skills such as maintaining forest gardens and plants, creating compost, and learning about organic farming
Developing your ceramics skills through exploration of different clay methods, learning how to make your own glazes, and meeting with local artists
Exploring the great outdoors and the benefits of team-based activities through adventure sports such as canoeing, hiking, mountain biking, and bouldering

Discussions and Cultural Gatherings

Through group discussions and round-about style learning, you’ll have the opportunity to truly engage with your peers and discuss thought-provoking questions about who we are, why we are here, and where we are going. Lecturers from outside the school and teachers within the school regularly provide a platform to challenge ideas through debate. During ‘culture evenings,’ you’ll dive into one another’s traditions through music, film, art, dance, and food – becoming more aware of your own identity and which values you want as a basis for your life.

Community-focused Living

This program is designed to encourage collaboration and connection with your fellow students and teachers at every step of the way. Students are largely involved in the planning and execution of weekly activities, whether that’s movie nights, bonfires, swimming, or parties! As a sustainability-focused school, group trips often consist of biking or walking. You’ll also have a ‘contact person’ in one of your teachers, providing you with a trusted person to go to when you have challenges or need to talk. Each week, you’ll meet with your contact person and small group to discuss relevant topics and plan events for the school.

Food Practices

At Brenderup, meals are enjoyed together and follow a sustainable meal culture. Holding a bronze medal in ecology, the school uses 30-60% organic ingredients, focusing on greens and grain products that benefit all. The school also practices meat-free days in their schedule, which means vegetarians and vegans will feel right at home and have the opportunity to learn more about this lifestyle.

Accommodations

As a student, you’ll either be in a dorm-style room where you share with another person, or a single room of your own. Facilities on the campus include workshops and gathering rooms, outdoor spaces, communal dining and activity areas, and so much more – all anchored by Brenderup’s main building: the old guesthouse, preserving the soul and history of the school through its original architecture.

Your AFS-USA Contact Family

You will have a Danish AFS Contact Family who lives nearby and provides a local family connection during your time in Denmark.

Typically, you might:

Visit or spend time with the family about once a month, depending on what you and the family arrange.
Spend weekends, holidays, or seasonal breaks with them.
Experience everyday Danish family life and traditions outside the college.
Have a local connection who can help you feel more connected to Denmark beyond the folk college community.

Study Trips

Depending on how long you study at Brenderup, you can choose to join one of the school’s two study tours. During the group trip to Morocco, you’ll live locally, learn about the food practices, and explore the heart of Moroccan culture alongside your friends. On the Denmark trip, you’ll dive deeper into Danish culture by traveling through other towns and natural areas, exploring art, landscapes, and history along the way.

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

What’s not included

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.