This is the case There is an increase of 14 per cent in the number of American students applying to Norwegian public colleges. The Norwegian krone has weakened sharply over the last ten years. This makes Norway a more attractive study site. The head of the folk high schools Information Comtor believes Trump may have affected the applicant numbers. – There is nothing like this in the US! That’s what 19 -year -old Haley Loewen says. She comes all the way from the state of Washington, farthest north on the west coast of the United States. But this school year she is at the folk high school in Hurdal north in Akershus. More people apply to Norway it is not Haley alone. Many young Americans do like her, and apply to public colleges throughout Norway. Search numbers for young Americans next year have increased by as much as 14 percent. Haley Loewen in front of the main building at the folk high school in Hurdal – not quite unlike a certain other white house? Photo: Privately much cheaper than college for Haley, the folk high school was an opportunity to take a “gap year”, where she could also grow one of her passions – cross -country skiing. At home in Washington, she joined a cross -country team. Through that she got several contacts that had been in Norway. Thus, the choice fell on a free year at the Norwegian Folk High School. Cross -country skiing is the passion of Haley – and more common in the United States than many Norwegians think. As an American without Norwegian citizenship, Haley will not cover any of the stay at the school with money from the Loan Fund, as Norwegian students receive. But Haley still thinks folk high school is beneficial for American students. -It is crazy, because this year the same as one college semester costs. So four months in college cost the same as being in Hurdal for a whole year. The school fees of NOK 160,000 cover housing, four meals a day, fitness center and all activities and travel with the folk high school. The only thing Haley needs to pay as well is the air ticket across the Atlantic. When the Americans tell their friends at home about Norwegian folk high schools, more people want to apply, says Rector Frode Mikal Nilssen. Photo: Private expensive to go out – cheap to get to Norway Rector at Hurdal Verk Folk High School Frode Mikal Nilssen, says that they have received more applicants from the US – and a number of other countries. Although the thoughts easily go to Trump and troubled times, there is another reason Nilssen points to: The krone exchange rate. Over the past ten years, the Norwegian krone has weakened by over 40 percent against the US dollar. Then a free year in Hurdal suddenly becomes more relevant for many. – They may experience it as a good “deal” financially, simply, says Nilssen. He is happy to have Americans at school. – It is perhaps the only positive thing I can say that we have a weak Norwegian krone. There is also nothing similar to the Norwegian public colleges in the United States, says Nilssen. – It is a very unique school. Dorte Birch believes Trump is an equally important reason for the increase in applicant numbers as the krone exchange rate. Photo: Svein Finneide / Svein Finneide believes Trump flight contributes to higher applicant numbers Dorthe Birch believes there are things other than the krone exchange rate that affects the increased applicant numbers. She is the leader of the Folk High School’s information office. – First and foremost, based on the feedback we get from many schools, many Americans are looking for a bit. Trump and the noise around the US elections make many try to see opportunities outside the borders, she believes. Although the Americans have to spend 160,000, it is the state that covers the teaching. Birch thinks that’s right. – The folk colleges are doing many things, but a very important bone we have to stand on is what we call democratic dance. If anyone needs it now, it might be Americans. Haley has got several girlfriends at the Norwegian Folk High School. Photo: Private Not Trump Refugee Trump has also been boasted of Norwegian schools several times. – We will produce students who can be rivals with Norway, said he has to go to an election meeting in June. But for Haley’s part, it was cross -country – not Trump – who brought her to Norway. – But there is a lot of talk about this, and it is a topic that touches many, says Haley, adding that she tries to avoid talking too much about politics. She believes one of the reasons why more people have discovered the Norwegian folk high school is that there has been more acceptance to take a so -called “gap year”. – It’s not the same pressure to go to college as it was for my parents, says Haley. And after the year, there are now more young people who choose vocational subjects. Among other things, to avoid sky -high student loans after a university education, Haley believes. – Many people see that they can rather become electricians, and earn almost as much as a lawyer without having hundreds of thousands of dollars in student loans. Published 10.03.2025, at. 14.50 Updated 10.03.2025, at. 16.06
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