Ida took a break from her studies to attend Fjordane Folk High School
Text by Julie Byberg Bø, translated into Norwegian. Photo: Ida Vangen
Studying and folk high school are two completely different everyday lives, says 20-year-old Ida Vangen.
Last updated 13.03.2025
– At folk high school you gain self-confidence, motivation and memories for life, says Ida Vangen (20) from Hønefoss.
After studying Media and Communication at high school, Ida started a bachelor's degree in Outdoor life in Sogndal. The transition to higher education was challenging. Therefore, she chose to take a break from her studies to attend folk high school.
Ida is going now. Fjordane Folk High School , the line Outdoor life Explorer 360.
– The line allows us to try everything within Outdoor life , she says.
Summit hikes and tent hikes are just one of the many activities Ida has participated in.
Lack of motivation for study
– I am left with the thought that folk high school is the best money I will ever spend, says Ida.
After high school, she was unsure if she was ready to start studying straight away. She looked into folk high school, but still decided against going straight to education.
The start of her studies was difficult, and Ida felt left out. Lack of motivation and a feeling of being left behind led her to apply for leave and start attending folk high school instead.
– I was the youngest in the class. Most of the people there had much more experience. Outdoor life after attending a folk high school for one or two years, she says.
« I am left with the thought that folk high school is the best money I will ever spend. I have met many people and made friends for life. »
After six months, she couldn't take it anymore. That made her dare to apply for a leave of absence from her bachelor's degree and then apply to a folk high school.
– I chose to go to folk high school to gain more experience in Outdoor life ", develop myself as a person, regain motivation, take a break from grade pressure, exams and studies, meet new people and try lots of new things," she says.
Nordfjord is an eldorado for climbing! Photo: Ida Vangen
Ida has a passion for everything within Outdoor life She loves climbing, bouldering and skiing. However, it was primarily through photography that her interest in nature grew.
“I pretty much carry a camera with me everywhere,” she says.
Two different weekdays
According to Ida, her year at the folk high school so far has been filled with new experiences. She has had the opportunity to try out things like glacier hikes, surfing, alpine challenges in Austria, sailing, climbing and cross-country skiing.
Ida believes that studying and folk high school are two completely different everyday lives.
– During my studies, I had little motivation, was constantly stressed about schoolwork and was unable to be myself. I felt like I had little time and was unable to enjoy everyday life. While at the folk high school, I finally got my shoulders down.
She recommends folk high school.
– You form strong bonds with people in a very short time. You get to experience things that you would never have done on your own. You get better self-confidence, more motivation and, not least, memories for life.