Wednesday 2/11/15
Our month of real classes started on Wednesday. Before lunch we got a brief history and explanation for the school. The folk school is a unique concept to Scandinavia. They were created in opposition to the Latin schools that some felt created "stuck-up officials." It is similar to the liberal arts focus at Gustavus where the school puts effort into "life enlightenment" not just a specialist education. The folk school is an alternative to typical high school, but one must be 18 to attend. There are no tuition fees and the curriculum is casual.
Classes are offered based on the needs of the community. Mora is one of 150 folk schools in Sweden founded by the artist Anders Zorn. Here classes in fashion design, woodcraft, music, generals etc are provided. There is even a class for those who work with individuals with autism. After graduating from a folk school, students can continue to the university if they have the required classes.
After lunch we had Swedish. In the evening some of the Swedish students took us to their favorite konditori (bakery). The sweets here are to die for!
Thursday 2/12/15
In the morning we met Lennart Sacredeus, our Nordic politics professor and previous member of both the Swedish and European parliaments. The first lecture topic involved defining "nordic" and "Scandinavia."There are five nordic countries: Denmark (which includes Greenland), Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland. Norway, Sweden and Denmark make up Scandinavia. The languages are fairly similar. These countries are technically part of Europe, yet have a separate unique identity. Our class will be a mixture of history, politics and religion.
After supplementing our wardrobes from a quick trip to the stores we stopped to see the big Dala horse statue. Dala horses from Dalarna county years ago originated as toys for children. They were made popular and a symbol for Sweden by the world's fair in New York in 1938. Afterwards some of us attended a thai chi session in Swedish. That was interesting…but fun!
At night we met Mark Johnson, a geology professor at Gothenburg, who use to teach at Gustavus. He gave us an introduction to geology. He will be leading us on several field trips when we are in southern Sweden.
Friday 2/13/15
Another day of classes. Dad scanned some of my sheet music and I was able to play some bass. We had group dinner friday night with homemade pizza and apple pie. How homesick that made me!
Our month of real classes started on Wednesday. Before lunch we got a brief history and explanation for the school. The folk school is a unique concept to Scandinavia. They were created in opposition to the Latin schools that some felt created "stuck-up officials." It is similar to the liberal arts focus at Gustavus where the school puts effort into "life enlightenment" not just a specialist education. The folk school is an alternative to typical high school, but one must be 18 to attend. There are no tuition fees and the curriculum is casual.
Classes are offered based on the needs of the community. Mora is one of 150 folk schools in Sweden founded by the artist Anders Zorn. Here classes in fashion design, woodcraft, music, generals etc are provided. There is even a class for those who work with individuals with autism. After graduating from a folk school, students can continue to the university if they have the required classes.
After lunch we had Swedish. In the evening some of the Swedish students took us to their favorite konditori (bakery). The sweets here are to die for!
Thursday 2/12/15
In the morning we met Lennart Sacredeus, our Nordic politics professor and previous member of both the Swedish and European parliaments. The first lecture topic involved defining "nordic" and "Scandinavia."There are five nordic countries: Denmark (which includes Greenland), Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland. Norway, Sweden and Denmark make up Scandinavia. The languages are fairly similar. These countries are technically part of Europe, yet have a separate unique identity. Our class will be a mixture of history, politics and religion.
After supplementing our wardrobes from a quick trip to the stores we stopped to see the big Dala horse statue. Dala horses from Dalarna county years ago originated as toys for children. They were made popular and a symbol for Sweden by the world's fair in New York in 1938. Afterwards some of us attended a thai chi session in Swedish. That was interesting…but fun!
At night we met Mark Johnson, a geology professor at Gothenburg, who use to teach at Gustavus. He gave us an introduction to geology. He will be leading us on several field trips when we are in southern Sweden.
Friday 2/13/15
Another day of classes. Dad scanned some of my sheet music and I was able to play some bass. We had group dinner friday night with homemade pizza and apple pie. How homesick that made me!
Hannah and her amazing apple pie!
Sid and I :)
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