Year-round course (two semesters)
International politics backpacking Asia
A better world is possible, and on this the course we will understand how we can make it happen! We will travel on a study trip to both Southeast Asia and Europe, and you decide where!
Do you dream of traveling and experiencing something new?
Travel on this the course means exploring the world with a lot of responsibility and freedom. You will have the opportunity to create your own unique journey together with your fellow students.
We travel for four weeks in the fall, and a short week in the spring. In preparation, we study the countries we will be traveling to, and we make goals and plans.
You really get to decide where you want to travel. For the 2026-27 school year, the class has decided to travel to Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Berlin. Where do you want to go?
We decide on the country and itinerary together and create a budget, safety assessments, packing list and everything else that is needed. Hiking, hitchhiking and small projects make us well-acquainted and prepared at this stage of the year.
A wonderful opportunity
Travel is a fantastic opportunity to learn about countries and people, as well as to challenge ourselves and our knowledge about important topics such as development, the environment and how other countries are governed. The contrasts with here at home are often important.
We also focus a lot on motivation, curiosity and flexibility, which will contribute to amazing experiences, memories and invaluable experience from traveling later in life. Meetings with organizations, and people in different settings, connect us as people.
For those of you who are curious about the world
This year is about experiencing, learning and growing – both as a person and as a global citizen.
Maybe you want to work on international issues in the future? Then this is the course for you.
More about the course
Forms of work
Alongside our travels, we follow the news and place what is happening in a historical and political context. This way we become wiser, and therefore more secure in a turbulent and often incomprehensible world.
Throughout the year we also hear inspiring speakers, we organize discussions and use films and learn from them.
Your questions and our exploratory conversation are important. Linja's collaboration with the Falstad Center whether the annual Holocaust Remembrance Day becomes an important reminder of all that we should be able to learn from history, but often perhaps do not.
We are also active and use nature as a classroom. On trips we learn both practical skills and how to master new challenges. Together we are creative and come up with fun and educational things throughout the year, and we are very free to folk high school .
Post-work and tour
The study tour forms an important part of the teaching at the course , and therefore we also spend a lot of time processing and using what we have experienced.
Before the winter break, we go on tour to schools, institutions and organizations to give lectures and share what we have learned on the study trip. We organize and process the impressions after the trip in a proper way, and the study trip tour represents a nice culmination of the trip.
Study trip to Southeast Asia
The study trip makes up a large part of the year at the course and is an adventure every year. We work a lot on it before and after, and the trip itself is four weeks. In addition, we travel for a week in the spring. In 2027-28 we travel to Southeast Asia in the fall and to a country in Europe in the spring.
Which countries should we travel to?
In the 2027-28 school year we will travel to Southeast Asia. Relevant countries are Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia, or maybe completely different countries? You decide! We will create the itinerary, the program and the content of the study trip when you arrive, based on what is current in the countries and what we want to do together.
Student democracy in practice
To achieve this, it is also important to be flexible with regard to transportation and accommodation, so we will arrange all that eventually.
The program is challenging and rewarding, and everyone in the group helps decide how the journey will be, and with their own efforts, both the learning outcomes and the experiences are great. Previous cohorts have said they are proud of the journey they have made, and they feel a strong sense of ownership for what they have been a part of.
From embassy to activists
We usually visit the Norwegian embassy, some UN organizations, and Norwegian and local NGOs.
Meeting people in host families or in local associations, inspiring activists or just ordinary young people often provide the most memorable and enjoyable experiences.
We also find time for safaris, mountain hikes, beach life, sights or whatever is available and tempting. We travel a lot during the trip to get a good impression of the country, and we cross borders and visit neighboring countries to compare culture and governance.
Jakob has worked as a junior expert for FAO in Cambodia and at the head office in Rome. He has extensive experience of study trips to many different countries. In addition to a keen interest in international issues and politics, he is passionate about exercise and outdoor life, and is a ski and kayak instructor.
"Applying to Sund folk high school was definitely one of the best decisions I ever made. During my year at the UN and International Politics, I was able to develop both my perspective on the world and myself, largely thanks to the great discussions we had in class, and our teacher Jakob who knows absolutely everything"
Milene
Students' annual plan Sund folk high school
The first day of school for the 2026–2027 school year is Saturday 22 August 2026
Sund folk high school , annual plan for the school year 2026-2027
Sund Folk High School, Annual plan – school year 2026-27
Full-year line 2027–2 8
NOK 158,500,-
We do not have an application deadline and you can apply throughout the year. We start admitting students from November 15, and accept students as long as there is room at the course.
Admission criteria:
- Age limit 18 years, exceptionally 18 years before the study trip
- We accept students as long as there is room on the course you apply
- We focus on motivation and interests
Application:
- Send an online application
- We'll get back to you as soon as we can
- Write a little about yourself and why you want to join Sund
- It's a good idea to apply early, even if we don't start admissions until November 15.
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Try our questions and answers page (FAQ)
Do you have any questions? Feel free to contact us ›
What former students say
A year where I got to grow, breathe and learn at my own pace. I was given time and space to reflect and process different things. And then I was able to blossom at full speed, at a slow pace and in different directions.
