27 Mar Democracy party, spring cleaning and an update from Nepal
We're now all back in Ranum after two weeks filled with experiences in every corner of the world. Teachers and students alike are talking about the wild experiences everyone has had while travelling. It's amazing to see the students grow through two weeks of life-changing experiences - and just as great to hear them retell their stories because it really has been a great experience for them.
However, we couldn't live in a travel bubble all week, because democracy was at the door. Therefore, we organised Ranum Efterskole's parliamentary elections in the ballroom. The students had the opportunity to cast their votes - a really good exercise before they have to vote in the real parliamentary elections in a few years. You can read about the results of the vote in this week's newsletter.
Happy reading
Democracy party across the country - also at Ranum Efterskole College
Even though the election campaign has been in full swing, few people have really felt it at efterskolen. For the past two weeks, we've been busy with jungle adventures, temple visits, water activities, meeting locals and hiking in the mountains - and much more.
But as election day approached, we shifted focus. We spent time and energy familiarising the students with the electoral situation and equipping them to take a stand in Ranum Efterskole's parliamentary elections 2026. All the students made their way to the banquet hall, where they received a ballot paper and participated in our own little democracy party.
You can see the result below.
Congratulations - 24 new skippers!
It's official: 24 new sailors have passed their proficiency test and were presented with their certificates this week at the harbour in Rønbjerg. The certificates were handed out while the students put masts on the boats, so we can soon get out on the fjord and sail again. Not all students were present, but the joy in the picture speaks for itself.
Congratulations to the 24 new skippers!
Fieldwork in Ranum
This week we had a visit from Caroline, Amalie and Anne, who are all studying sociology at Aalborg University. They are working on a project where they are investigating the development of peripheral areas in Denmark and have chosen to focus on Ranum, the local community here and the role efterskolen plays in the area.
As part of their project, they conducted fieldwork in the town and interviewed several of our employees about what it's like to live and work in Ranum. The conversations centred around everyday life, community ties and the opportunities and challenges of living and working in a smaller community.
Thank you for visiting!
Spring cleaning in the sun
With the sun streaming in through the windows and revealing the dust in every nook and cranny, it's time for a thorough spring clean! That's why this week all students are busy with the big Friday cleaning, where rooms, corridors and common areas are given a good going-over.
In some rooms, even the mouldings were wiped down - hats off to them!
What is Environmental Management?
We have many subjects at Ranum Efterskole - including a number of subjects that you won't necessarily find at other efterskoler programmes. In the video below, you can learn a little more about how we work in the subjects after our travels.
The girls in the video are currently working on a reflection project in their Environmental Management class, delving deeper into the environmental aspects of their cultural trip to Zanzibar. Here they worked with life below the surface and also gained practical experience helping to rebuild coral reefs.
Dumpling update from Nepal
Last week, the Nepal team visited a care home called Safe Help in the capital Kathmandu, where over 200 children and young people aged between 4 and 18 live and go to school. They all come from disadvantaged backgrounds and from all parts of Nepal - from big cities to the most remote villages in the mountains. We got a very good impression of both the school and the orphanage. We followed the children to school and attended their morning assembly. This is definitely a school we would like to establish a co-operation with in the future.
Before we left the school, we made a small donation so that all the children, who eat rice and curry three times a day, could have a more luxurious lunch with the delicious “momos” which is a Nepalese dumpling. We have just received pictures from out there where the sweet students are munching on dumplings.
Find out more about our school visits in the video below.
Headmaster's column
Dear reader,
Everyone is back from travelling and the rhythms of 1TP5Life are starting to settle in. The whole school has been - and still is - buzzing with adventurous stories of big and small experiences shared across staff and students alike. After all, these are very different students, very different impressions and very different journeys.
It's pretty amazing that once again we've managed to bring so many young people so far out into the world. And it's great to hear how both students and teachers feel that they have gained a different picture of how life is lived and what the world looks like than what we are presented with on social media.
Despite several students and staff suffering from jet lag and illness, we also celebrated democracy and organised a Ranum election among the students. The results show a good political spread, but this is the first time that DF is represented - a “surprise” that we can also see reflects the real election. For many of our students and employees with a non-Danish cultural background, this can be confusing and perhaps even frustrating.
This makes it even more important to emphasise - and say out loud - that we stand for intercultural diversity and personal freedom. Something that is not defined by a passport, but by the will for community and understanding for each other. The rainbow over our ballroom must never be black and white.
We're all looking forward to a little Easter holiday from next Wednesday - but before that, a giant Easter egg hunt awaits!
Yours sincerely
Olav Storm
Principal
It happens:
Calendar
Easter holidays 02.04.26 - 06.04.26
Friends weekend 11.04.26 - 12.04.26
Songkran (Thailand) 13.04.26
Photo yearbook 16.04.26
Culture family day 19.04.26
Music weekend 02.05.26
Written tests 04.05.26
New student day 10.05.26
Ascension Day public holiday 14.05.26
Summer camps for all ages
If you are between 14-17 years old, this is a unique opportunity for you to socialise, develop new skills and try a lot of fun and challenging activities. It's all about community, experiences and memories for life.
New this year, we're also launching a Grandparents Camp. Here, grandparents and grandchildren can enjoy a week's stay together with good catering throughout the week, exciting excursions and fun activities for all ages.
We will visit the Limfjord Museum in Løgstør and take a historical trip to Livø. In addition, the week offers plenty of activities to enjoy together across generations.
We're looking forward to a summer filled with community and great experiences.
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