Norwegian Language and Culture

Learn Norwegian and experience the nature and culture of Norway.

Bergen is located on the west coast of Norway in the heart of the fjords. Bergen has the ideal combination of nature, culture, and exciting urban life all year around.

Every year, many international students attend folk high school in Norway. Some come because they want to learn the Norwegian language and immerse themselves in the culture, some see it as a first step to settling in Norway, and some want to experience the unique teaching approach of folk high schools.

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Language - Friendship - Culture

At Fana folkehøgskule you can gain fluency in Norwegian, make lifelong **friendships**, and explore the Norwegian **culture**.
You will learn about Norwegian culture, history, geography, and society by **travelling and experiencing Norway** firsthand.

Norwegian experiences

- Trips along the coastline, the fjords and in the mountains
-Canoeing, mountain hiking and cross-country skiing

Norwegian language as a major subject or as an elective

Most classes are taught in Norwegian. However, all staff members and students speak English.

After a year at Fana folkehøgskule, you can expect to speak and understand Norwegian reasonably well. Your level of proficiency will depend on your own efforts, but living in a Norwegian-speaking environment gives you a great advantage when learning the language.

You can select Norwegian language as a major subject or as an elective. Students who select Norwegian language as a major subject follow the course Norwegian Language and Culture. Students who select Norwegian language as an elective, can follow any of the other courses at the school as their major subject.

Norwegian culture

Visit the home of Edvard Grieg
Exhibitions, concerts and theatre performances
Experience the music scene in the hometown of Alan Walker and Kygo
Street Art in Bergen

Norwegian history and society

Introduction to Norwegian history and historical places
Sustainability and environmental protection
Norwegian society and politics

Field trips in and around Bergen

Troldhaugen, the home of the composer Edvard Grieg, and other attractions in Bergen
Voss, one of the top outdoors destinations i Norway
Museums in Bergen
Historical city walks in the town centre
The music and art scene in Bergen
Theater performances and concerts
The coast line around Bergen
The famous Seven Mountains around Bergen
Hiking, camping trips and outdoor activities

Who is this course suitable for?

This course is suitable for young people who would like to learn Norwegian and explore the Norwegian culture. Most of our students are from 18-25 years old.

The Norwegian course is suitable for beginners with little previous knowledge of the language

150-hour language course
learn to speak Norwegian
learn basic grammar, vocabulary and use of everyday language

Be a part of a Norwegian and international student environment

Discover Norwegian culture and traditions
Speak Norwegian with fellow students
Visit interesting places in Norway

Our expectations

You are interested in learning a new language
You are willing to participate in our class program
You show up and participate actively
You want to develop yourself and your skills
You contribute to creating a creative and pleasant student environment

Application and visa process

There is no deadline for applying. Students are admitted until the school is full or until the beginning of the school year.

Courses in Norwegian language and culture usually fill up quickly. We recommend early application, especially for students outside of the EU who need to apply for visa.

The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) requires that applicants from countries outside the EU/EEA make a security deposit in the school’s bank account before processing an application for a residence permit. This will be refunded if the visa application is rejected.

National identity number and bank accounts

In Norway, there are two types of identification numbers: National identity numbers (often called personal identity numbers) and D numbers. You get a national identity number if you live or settle in Norway, whereas a D number is a temporary identification number.

If you plan to stay in Norway for more than six months you should register with the National Registry so that you can be assigned a national identity number. If you are an EU/EEA national, you must make an appointment with the local tax assessment office to get your identity number.

In order to open a bank account in a Norwegian bank, you will need a Norwegian identity number. Norwegian banks have advanced solutions for online banking, allowing you to administrate your accounts, pay bills and transfer money online. Foreign credit cards are widely accepted in Norway.