Nordic Folk High School
School Wasn’t for Me Until It Was.
Traditional school was never really my thing. Not because I didn’t try I did. But with ADHD, it just didn’t work. My brain wasn’t built for sitting still, listening quietly, and focusing on topics that didn’t spark any interest. It wasn’t me rejecting school it was just how my mind worked. Everything felt like noise. Boring, overwhelming, and disconnected from how I actually learn.
When I turned 21, I decided to give education one last shot but this time, it had to be on my terms. That’s when I found something called a Nordic Folk High School. It’s a uniquely Norwegian experience: no tests, no grades, no pressure. Just a year focused on exploration, creativity, and personal growth. You pay for it, sure (about $8,000 to $10,000), but for me? It was absolutely worth every coin.
I enrolled at Haugetun Folkehøyskole, and that place changed everything.
At first, I joined a class called Pulse, focused on health and fitness. I liked it I was moving, learning, doing. But I knew deep down that I needed more creative space. I needed something that matched my energy, my curiosity, and how I learn best.
So I switched tracks to Innovation and Marketing, and that’s when everything clicked.
Suddenly, learning wasn’t a chore it was exciting. The freedom to explore ideas, work on projects, and think creatively gave me a sense of purpose I had never felt in school before. It wasn’t just about what I was learning it was how I was learning.
And it wasn’t just the classes. We visited real companies places like Google, Hubify, and NRK and got a taste of how innovation and creativity thrive in the real world. Those trips were more than just field visits they were eye-openers, and honestly, I loved every minute of them. Seeing behind the scenes at these companies gave me perspective, motivation, and a deeper sense of what's possible when passion meets structure.
That school year shaped me. Not just as a student but as a person.
It gave me confidence in who I truly am.
It helped me become more social, more grounded, and more creative than I ever expected.
It reminded me that growth doesn’t need grades just the right environment.
I didn’t walk away with a diploma. But I walked away with something far more valuable:
Clarity. Direction. And a renewed belief in my ability to build something real.
Do I regret going? Absolutely not.
It was one of the best decisions I’ve made and it played a major part in shaping who I am today.
During that time, we also had guest speakers and meetings with real businesses. These weren’t just casual chats they were filled with valuable insights, real world knowledge, and advice that actually stuck with me. It was the kind of learning that made sense, because it was practical, relevant, and exciting.
And that show a different side of learning and growth. Because it wasn’t just about school it was about connection, creativity, and finding my own path.
School Wasn’t for Me Until It Was.
Traditional school was never really my thing. Not because I didn’t try I did. But with ADHD, it just didn’t work. My brain wasn’t built for sitting still, listening quietly, and focusing on topics that didn’t spark any interest. It wasn’t me rejecting school it was just how my mind worked. Everything felt like noise. Boring, overwhelming, and disconnected from how I actually learn.
When I turned 21, I decided to give education one last shot but this time, it had to be on my terms. That’s when I found something called a Nordic Folk High School. It’s a uniquely Norwegian experience: no tests, no grades, no pressure. Just a year focused on exploration, creativity, and personal growth. You pay for it, sure (about $8,000 to $10,000), but for me? It was absolutely worth every coin.
I enrolled at Haugetun Folkehøyskole, and that place changed everything.
At first, I joined a class called Pulse, focused on health and fitness. I liked it I was moving, learning, doing. But I knew deep down that I needed more creative space. I needed something that matched my energy, my curiosity, and how I learn best.
So I switched tracks to Innovation and Marketing, and that’s when everything clicked.
Suddenly, learning wasn’t a chore it was exciting. The freedom to explore ideas, work on projects, and think creatively gave me a sense of purpose I had never felt in school before. It wasn’t just about what I was learning it was how I was learning.
And it wasn’t just the classes. We visited real companies places like Google, Hubify, and NRK and got a taste of how innovation and creativity thrive in the real world. Those trips were more than just field visits they were eye-openers, and honestly, I loved every minute of them. Seeing behind the scenes at these companies gave me perspective, motivation, and a deeper sense of what's possible when passion meets structure.
That school year shaped me. Not just as a student but as a person.
It gave me confidence in who I truly am.
It helped me become more social, more grounded, and more creative than I ever expected.
It reminded me that growth doesn’t need grades just the right environment.
I didn’t walk away with a diploma. But I walked away with something far more valuable:
Clarity. Direction. And a renewed belief in my ability to build something real.
Do I regret going? Absolutely not.
It was one of the best decisions I’ve made and it played a major part in shaping who I am today.
During that time, we also had guest speakers and meetings with real businesses. These weren’t just casual chats they were filled with valuable insights, real-world knowledge, and advice that actually stuck with me. It was the kind of learning that made sense, because it was practical, relevant, and exciting.
I even have some photos from that experience that I want to share with you moments I’m proud of, and that show a different side of learning and growth. Because it wasn’t just about school it was about connection, creativity, and finding my own path.
More Info
More Info
More Info
School Wasn’t for Me Until It Was
Traditional school was never really my thing. Not because I didn’t try I did. But with ADHD, it just didn’t work. My brain wasn’t built for sitting still, listening quietly, and focusing on topics that didn’t spark any interest. It wasn’t me rejecting school it was just how my mind worked. Everything felt like noise. Boring, overwhelming, and disconnected from how I actually learn.
When I turned 21, I decided to give education one last shot but this time, it had to be on my terms. That’s when I found something called a Nordic Folk High School. It’s a uniquely Norwegian experience: no tests, no grades, no pressure. Just a year focused on exploration, creativity, and personal growth. You pay for it, sure (about $8,000 to $10,000), but for me? It was absolutely worth every coin.
I enrolled at Haugetun Folkehøyskole, and that place changed everything.
At first, I joined a class called Pulse, focused on health and fitness. I liked it I was moving, learning, doing. But I knew deep down that I needed more creative space. I needed something that matched my energy, my curiosity, and how I learn best.
So I switched tracks to Innovation and Marketing, and that’s when everything clicked.
Suddenly, learning wasn’t a chore it was exciting. The freedom to explore ideas, work on projects, and think creatively gave me a sense of purpose I had never felt in school before. It wasn’t just about what I was learning it was how I was learning.
And it wasn’t just the classes. We visited real companies places like Google, Hubify, and NRK and got a taste of how innovation and creativity thrive in the real world. Those trips were more than just field visits they were eye-openers, and honestly, I loved every minute of them. Seeing behind the scenes at these companies gave me perspective, motivation, and a deeper sense of what's possible when passion meets structure.
That school year shaped me. Not just as a student but as a person.
It gave me confidence in who I truly am.
It helped me become more social, more grounded, and more creative than I ever expected.
It reminded me that growth doesn’t need grades just the right environment.
I didn’t walk away with a diploma. But I walked away with something far more valuable:
Clarity. Direction. And a renewed belief in my ability to build something real.
Do I regret going? Absolutely not.
It was one of the best decisions I’ve made and it played a major part in shaping who I am today.
During that time, we also had guest speakers and meetings with real businesses. These weren’t just casual chats they were filled with valuable insights, real-world knowledge, and advice that actually stuck with me. It was the kind of learning that made sense, because it was practical, relevant, and exciting.
I even have some photos from that experience that I want to share with you moments I’m proud of, and that show a different side of learning and growth. Because it wasn’t just about school it was about connection, creativity, and finding my own path.
