The International, the country’s first completely English-speaking efterskole, has expressed a mixture of surprise and delight that 48 students have already enrolled ahead of the start of its inaugural academic year in August.

Sharing the grounds of Vedersø Idrætsefterskole, the new boarding school on the west coast of Jutland aims to prepare students for employment in an international workplace, along with a focus on intercultural competence, academic excellence, personal development and friends for life.

Mostly Danes
And it is no surprise to learn that the majority of the enrolled pupils are Danes who wish to improve their language skills and their international career opportunities, although there are number of foreign students based in Denmark, and even some foreign students with no ties to Denmark at all.

The interest is testament to how many Danes are waking up to the undeniable value of international grounding ahead of forging a career in today’s increasingly globalised world.

More than expected
“Forty-eight students are actually more than we expected for the first year,” confessed Kim Skouborg, the principal.

“The new campus is being built to house 72 students, along with the 128 students already at Vedersø Idrætsefterskole, so it’s more than likely that we will start with three classes this summer instead of the two as originally planned – a positive challenge.”

Open weekend
The International made the announcement ahead of its first language camp this weekend (February 26-28) at which 32 children will sample what life at the boarding school for 14 to 18-year-olds will be like.

One of the staff members looking forward to welcoming the children is British teacher Alex Mason, the head of studies at The International, who has ten years experience working at Danish efterskoler.

A priceless opportunity
“We are very much looking forward to welcoming the students and giving them the first real taste of what we are hoping achieve with The International,” he said.

“The chance to create a meeting place for young students from around the world, whilst giving them the unique Danish efterskole experience with its fantastic values in terms of personal development and strong sense of community, is
priceless.”

The weekend will involve guest teachers from the UK, US and South Africa.