16 Jan From sledding hill to cultural subjects - and world perspectives
Last week was busy with travelling to both Sweden and the Czech Republic, but now everyday life and regular teaching has found its place again at efterskolen.
Like many other places in the world, the situation between the USA, Greenland and Denmark has also been a topic of conversation here at school. You can read much more about this in the last issue of the newsletter, where some of our cool students were interviewed on TV 2.
Happy reading
Students prepare for the proficiency exam
The sailboats were taken out of the fjord in the autumn, and although it will probably be a few more weeks before we can get wind in our sails again, there is no doubt that the students are looking forward to getting on the water.
Until then, the focus is on the theoretical part of the sailing programme, where the students are working towards the exam for the certificate of competency. This week, the teaching has included a review of typical test questions so that the students are as well prepared as possible when they take the test in four lessons.
The preparations combine professional immersion with the joy of anticipation - and hopefully it won't be long before the theory can be put into practice on the fjord.
Tobogganing before the snow melts
Not all students had had enough of the snow and cold in Sweden. This became clear when a group of students headed to the toboggan run in Ranum to get the last of the wintry experiences.
Time was running out, however, as the snow started to get heavier and wetter on Monday afternoon. But that didn't stop the students from having a blast - everyone got wind in their hair, red cheeks and a good laugh along the way.
Efterskole fairs on the programme
Preparations are well underway for this year's efterskole fairs and we are looking forward to travelling around the country and meeting curious young people and their families.
If you know someone - or are someone yourself - who would like to learn more about what a efterskole year can include and how you can put together your efterskole stay at Ranum Efterskole College, please drop by and have a chat with us.
You can get an overview of the upcoming trade fairs on the poster below.
Ready for the world - also health-wise
We're one step closer to the cultural studies trips. The Danish Doctors' Vaccination Service has visited the school and vaccinated the students and teachers who lack the necessary vaccinations prior to the trips. The staff were very professional and good at taking care of the students, and the whole day went smoothly and in a calm and safe atmosphere. It was also a good opportunity to talk to the students about responsibility and preparation when travelling the world.
Creativity and sport on the schedule
The ceramics students have embarked on an exciting - and challenging - task of moulding small statues. It's a lot easier said than done, but the students put in the effort and it shows in the finished results.
At the same time, there has been plenty of activity in the sports hall. This week has included a football match between the girls and the boys - a fun and energising way to use your body, get to know each other better and test your competitive spirit.
When friendship builds bridges between countries
The girls in these photos are good friends. Maja is from the USA and Else is from Greenland.
This week they were featured in a national TV interview about the situation between the US and Greenland and the importance of dialogue and understanding across borders.
Ranum Efterskole College has around 500 students of 26 different nationalities. Here, many languages, perspectives and cultures meet in everyday life, and we work actively to listen to each other and be open to different points of view.
In a world of tension and quick opinions, dialogue is more important than ever. We pride ourselves on our students taking responsibility, joining the conversation and representing the value of respect and mutual understanding.
ATTENTION: The recordings were made by TV 2 News in connection with an evening programme. The interview did not make it into the programme due to changes in the major political situation. We have subsequently gained access to the raw material, which we are therefore able to share here in the newsletter. All rights are therefore still reserved by TV2.
Headmaster's column
Dear reader,
It's great to be back at school after three weeks of Christmas holidays and the joint trips to the Czech Republic and Sweden. Many students say that they have had fantastic experiences, but also that it's nice to return to everyday life at school - with rhythm, community and life in the houses.
We're back on track with the cultural subjects and in just seven weeks we're travelling the world to 20 different countries. Three of the cultural subjects are heading to the USA.
The serious and unpredictable situation between the Danish Realm, NATO and the US in relation to Greenland creates uncertainty for both students and parents. For many of our students, who live and work together across 26 nationalities on a daily basis, it is difficult to understand that there is talk of war between the US and NATO in the event of an invasion of Greenland. This especially affects our students from the US, Greenland - and Iceland - who are friends and share everyday life here at the school.
The media has also sought answers and perspectives. This week, both TV 2 and DR Radio focussed on ordinary people's reactions to the situation and visited Ranum on Wednesday and Thursday. Unfortunately, the two students from the USA and Greenland were not given speaking time as the press conference with Lars Løkke Rasmussen took up the entire TV 2 programme.
The lack of clarity about the working group's purpose in recent days has added to the uncertainty. That's why we talk openly with students - both in class and in community gatherings - about what is happening in the world and what democracy, international conventions and dialogue mean. It's education against a sad backdrop.
We stand firm on the purpose of our efterskole, cultural subjects and travel: to bring young people together in dialogue across differences to build understanding, cohesion and peace in the world. At the same time, we naturally listen to both parent and student concerns and follow the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' travel recommendations carefully before travelling to Texas, the US West Coast and Alaska to meet other young people and visit our friendship schools.
This weekend we are hosting - perhaps a little laconically - Casino Weekend Las Ranum, where the theme embraces elements of American culture.
We wish everyone a very good weekend.
It happens:
Calendar
Casino weekend – 17 January 2026 – 18 January 2026
Concert – 21 January 2026
Crea weekend - 07.02.26 - 08.02.26
World Pulses Day - 10.02.26
Term tests - 16.02.26 - 19.02.26
Student party - 27.02.26
Cultural travelling 07.03.26 - 22.03.26
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