Safaris, Interrail trips, and visits to Zanzibar create memories for a lifetime. But the most valuable thing you bring home is new perspectives gained from encounters with other people and the world around you.
Interrail in Europe
We are setting off on an Interrail trip with Geneva, Switzerland, as our destination. In addition to gaining a better understanding of the UN and its role in global peace efforts, you will get to see parts of Europe. Since we are traveling by train, we have some flexibility regarding our route. As students, you will help plan the itinerary and stops. Perhaps we’ll even make a stop in Paris on the way home?
East Africa
The trip to East Africa is an inspiring, once-in-a-lifetime experience. Highlights of the journey might include:
- The stories Albert tells—about experiencing the genocide that claimed his entire family, his work toward forgiving the perpetrators, and his efforts to help the local community rebuild.
- The time a charming little local asked you to dance, and you did your best to keep up with the African rhythms.
- The evening conversations we share as a group, reflecting on the day’s experiences.
- Lying on a bench beneath a magnificent starry sky, reminiscing about the events of the past few days.
- Walking barefoot along a Zanzibar beach at sunset, near the end of a long journey.
- Standing by a watering hole with nothing but a fence separating you from an entire herd of elephants.
- All the delicious fruit.
- Trying snorkeling for the first time—eventually getting the hang of it and seeing all the life beneath the surface.
- Being struck by the happiness and gratitude expressed by people living in the slums over seemingly small things.
You are in safe hands on the trip, accompanied by an instructor who has lived and worked in East Africa within the tourism industry. He has numerous contacts across the region and possesses extensive knowledge of local conditions, having made over 25 trips to East Africa.
At school, we work on:
🌍 Africa: Knowledge about a continent with strong growth. History, politics, culture and animals. You as a student chose what you want to focus on.
🕊️ Peace: Role models and sources of inspiration in peace work: Martin Luther King, Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, etc. We explore and learn about theories in conflict understanding, conflict management, and reconciliation work.
😀😣 Psychology: Understanding our own and others’ thoughts. Personality tests. How to approach new perspectives from classmates and cultures. Human dignity, thoughts, diversity and identity, prejudices, conflicts, and human dignity.
🍽️ Cooking: Exploring cultures through dishes from around the world.
⛹🏻♀️ Activity: Physical activity for both physical and mental health.
Elisa Cabrera Tømmerbakk - student 2025/26
"I feel that Global Focus is a safe place, where we sit and talk together, where we get a lot of time to think, and you also learn an incredible amount just from that. Especially after the Africa trip, where we are left with many strong impressions, and you feel very changed, so it feels good that we have built a place, a classroom environment, where we can safely talk about what we have experienced and feel.
Global Focus is a lot about Africa, but also about psychology. We have deep conversations and we learn a lot about ourselves, but also a lot about others.
The important thing I have learned is that everyone has their own baggage, and that we must be more open, and not judge others so quickly.
Personally, I am very interested in other cultures and people, and I feel that this is precisely what Global Focus is all about.
Eiliv does a very good job as a teacher. He is someone I feel confident in, and to whom I can say anything, and that we can talk about anything."
The program is suitable for you:
- if you are adventurous and want to learn more about the world
- if you are curious about human psychology
Here is a selection of what the year will give you:
- Gratitude
- Understanding
- Inspiration
- Tools for resilience
- Tools for managing and resolving conflicts
- Memories for life
The program can be useful and inspiring for those considering studying psychology, child welfare, biology, English, social anthropology, development studies, management, tourism, social sciences, social work, political science, police work, teaching, and nursing.
Our expectations of you
- You are curious about the world
- You contribute to creating a good class environment
- You participate in the teaching and activities of the program
- You follow the vaccination requirements for the places we will travel
- You treat the people we meet on our travels with respect
For 3 weeks, we embark on an inspirational and experiential journey to Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania with close cultural and human encounters.
You will get to know Martin well, our local co-leader, who has attended a folk high school in Norway, speaks good Norwegian, and knows both our and the local culture well.
Rwanda 🇷🇼 (approximately 1 week)
You will experience a very lush Rwanda. In Rwanda, the focus will be on the 1994 genocide, and through meetings with witnesses, we gain insight into how the country is rising through forgiveness and reconciliation. We will join the pieceworkers in their daily life promoting peace in their neighbourhood.
Kenya og Zanzibar 🇰🇪🇹🇿 (approximately 2 weeks)
Together with the program “Experience: Travel, Exercise, Food”
In Kenya, you will experience the city and its diversity. We meet people and organizations with a burning passion for those who have the least. There will be markets, private homes, exotic flavors, sunsets, giraffes, safaris, snorkeling, dolphins and beaches at the legendary island of Zanzibar.
The trip varies somewhat from year to year. Some of the plans for 2025 include:
- Focus on Rwanda now, and the history of the 1994 genocide.
- Focus on forgiveness and reconciliation. Meeting with the people.
- Cultural exchange with children and youth in Uganda
- Public transport on the road
- The city of Nairobi
- Meeting with inspiring people
- Elephant orphanage
- Markets with bargaining
- Safari in Amboseli
- The city of Nairobi
- Sailing, dolphins and snorkeling at Zanzibar Island
Video from our stay in East-Africa 2026:
Our local guide has attended a folk high school in Norway, speaks good Norwegian, and knows both our and the local culture well. Get to know Martin here:
You need to bring this equipment yourself:
- Workout clothes
- Backpack, 60-80 liters
- Sleeping bag
- Clothes and shoes for outdoor trips in Norwegian nature
- Clothes and shoes for the trip to East Africa
- Passport valid until August 15, 2026 (September 29 if you are going to Ecuador)
This equipment is recommended:
- Sleeping bag liner
- Impregnated mosquito net
Group Trip to Denmark
At the beginning of the school year, the entire school travels to Rønbjerg Feriecenter in Denmark. On this trip, we get to know each other well and lay the foundation for a good and safe community that continues when we return to Sørlandet. A very nice start to the year!
International Trip Across Courses
Later, at the beginning of spring, the entire school goes on a trip at the same time, but to different destinations. You choose one of four options and travel with students from other courses. These trips are rich in content in their own way and offer impressions, human encounters, and experiences you will greatly enjoy! One of the trips is included in the school fee, so it doesn’t cost extra to join. The other trips cost extra.
Everyone chooses one of three options for the international trip across courses. These are arranged simultaneously. You make your choice after you have started at the school.
- Copenhagen, Denmark (included in the school fee).
- England (costs extra).
- Ecuador and Galápagos (costs extra).
The trips will be arranged around March 2027.
More information about all the trips will be provided before you choose which trip you want to go on.
With us, you become part of a large, inclusive environment where everyone gets to know each other – of course, across different courses. That’s why we prioritize being together.
- Overnight trip in the Archipelago (Havglimt!)
- Trip to Denmark with the whole group
- Mountain hike
- Various tournaments
- Large common room to hang out in during free time
- Special weeks where we mix classes based on what you want to contribute:
- Practical work
- Adventure forest for 1st grade at the local primary school
- Entertainment show for parents
- Learning to manage sound and light
- Filming/photography
- Many leisure activities to choose from – often something happening every day.
- Night hike in the moonlight
- Christmas workshop
- Cozy evenings
- Hall activities
- Super enjoyable student evenings
The teaching will mainly be conducted in Norwegian. However, if you have a good understanding of English, you will be given enough explanation to follow the lessons fairly well.
You therefore cannot expect to understand everything, but there’s a good chance you’ll learn quite a bit of Norwegian during the school year.
Much of the information regarding daily school life is translated into English, as we have several students from other countries each year.
Click here to read more about what is included in the price.
To read more about the requirements for eligibility for loans and grants, please click here.
Trips
School trip for Global Focus
Interrail - Genèva🇨🇭
We are going on an Interrail trip to places including Geneva, Switzerland, to learn about the UN. We are planning the itinerary together.
School Trip for Global Focus
Rwanda
First part of the trip to East Africa. 1 week focusing on the genocide in Rwanda and participating in local peace work.
School trip with Experience and Global Focus
Kenya
We're embarking on an inspirational and experiential journey to Kenya, filled with close cultural and natural experiences.
Whole school outing!
Group trip to Denmark
The entire school travels together to a holiday center in Denmark, providing numerous opportunities for activities and building friendships.
Optional trip
Copenhagen
Experience the capital of Denmark! Stay centrally in the city center, with access to everything Copenhagen has to offer!
Optional trip
England
Join us on an eventful journey you won’t soon forget! We travel across England, from the port city of Liverpool to the capital, London. Experience a musical, Stonehenge, Oxford University, Silverstone Racetrack, and the city of London itself! This is a trip for those who want to see and experience a lot!
Optional trip
Ecuador & Galápagos
Join us on a truly unique journey, filled with meaningful encounters, local guides, and absolutely stunning scenery!