Viking Magazine - August 2022 - 47

AMBASSADOR INSIGHTS
Back to School
BY ANNIKEN KRUTNES
t's August, and that
means summertime
is coming to a close. We're
wrapping up vacations
to our favorite beaches
and mountains, savoring
our last few pool days,
and coming to the end of
our bottles of sunscreen.
Many people's thoughts
are turning to what comes
next: the beginning of a
new school year.
As in the United States,
many Norwegian children
begin their educational
journeys as a form of
daycare or preschool.
We call this barnehage, or literally
translated " children's garden. "
All children in Norway are entitled to
a place in a barnehage at a reasonable
price, starting from the age of one. This
allows parents time to work or study
and helps kids learn to socialize with
others and get used to a school-day
structure. The main job of pre-school
children is to play and explore the
world around them. My own children
attended a barnehage and loved it!
These days, " forest kindergartens, "
where kids spend their days outdoors
regardless of the weather, are becoming
especially popular. From the beginning
of the day to pick-up time, these
children are immersed in nature and
encouraged to do as much hands-on
learning as they can. It's also a great
way for kids of this age to burn off their
copious amounts of energy.
After a child turns six, school
becomes compulsory, and they enter
our main educational system, which is
free. Most children in Norway attend
public school. Like the U.S., we make
sure that students remain enrolled until
@sonsofnorway
farmer, there's something
at upper secondary school
for you.
Finally, there are
colleges and universities,
which can be found
all over Norway. The
Norwegian tax system
makes it possible for
these institutions to
forgo tuition fees, but
students do often take
out small loans to cover
accommodation and
other costs. Public
master's and Ph.D.
programs are also free of
charge, giving the most
they reach a certain age-in our case,
that's everyone age 6 to 16. Unlike the
U.S., Norwegian children aren't given
grades until they reach lower secondary
school at 12 or 13. Instead, they get lots
of detailed feedback from their teachers
to share with their parents, for good or
for ill.
While every student in Norway
learns English, other tongues are
also popular. Norwegians usually
pick up another language during
their academic career-often French,
Spanish, or German. If a student
arrives at school without being fluent
in Norwegian, special help is free and
available to help them catch up.
Most teenagers choose to continue to
upper secondary school. These schools
offer a variety of options, including
general studies, vocational studies,
and qualification to enter a university.
Specialization in a specific area of
interest is common, so students may
choose an upper secondary school
that can help them move toward their
desired career path. Whether you're
interested in becoming a doctor or a
academic-minded Norwegians a great
reason to stay in school.
Whether you're in the United States,
Norway or Canada, if you or someone
in your family is getting ready to head
back to school, I wish you a wonderful
year full of learning and discovery.
Here's to soaking up those last few days
of summer and embarking on new
adventures! ▼
ABOUT THE
AUTHOR
Anniken Krutnes
is Norway's
ambassador to the
United States. An
expert in security
policy, the law of the sea and Arctic issues,
she has previously served as Deputy
Director General of the Department of
Security Policy, as Norway's Ambassador
for Arctic and Antarctic Affairs, and
as ambassador to the Netherlands and
Luxembourg.
facebook.com/
NorwegianEmbassyinWashington/
@NorwayAmbUSA
August 2022
47
ILLUSTRATION BY RANDALL NELSON, PHOTO SHUTTERSTOCK
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Viking Magazine - August 2022

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