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High school exchange programme
in Norway
Live the life of a Norwegian teenager, gaining a second family and studying at a local secondary school for 5 or 10 months.
Experience true life in the land of fjords
Student exchange programme in Norway
Europe's northernmost country, Norway, is known to enjoy one of the world's highest standards of living. Thanks to a safe and stable environment, an advanced political system and excellent healthcare, education and welfare services, Norway's bustling urban centres are just as enjoyable as its remote, quaint villages.
In Norway, you will find unspoilt landscapes and unique natural wonders, making this a true paradise for the lovers of nature and the big outdoors. Its peaceful national parks, soaring mountains and majestic fjords are the ideal setting for all sorts of activities: cross-country, skiing, snowboarding, ice fishing, trekking... and have we mentioned the incredible phenomenon of the Midnight Sun, or the awe-inspiring Northern Lights? Get ready to be blown away!
Experience the Nordic majesty
Aurora borealis
The north of Norway is one of the best places in the world to witness the magic of the Northern Lights, a collision of atoms that releases flashes of coloured lights in the night sky. This creates a spectacular show you will never forget.
What’s high school like in Norway?
Mutual support
Norwegian students are always ready to help their classmates. Don't hesitate to ask them for input or assistance, and to do the same with anyone who seems to be in need of support.
Two ways of seeing the world
While Norwegian is the official language, locals are also fluent in English. You will experience new ways of studying English at school, and new ways of seeing the world through different lenses.
Having fun is important
Extra-curricular activities are a big part of Norwegian schooling, with various initiatives, sports, excursions and outdoor activities to choose from. There will be plenty of opportunities to get involved outside of the classroom!
Teaching autonomy
You may be surprised by how much freedom Norwegian students are afforded. In fact, autonomy is strongly valued in Norway and students are encouraged to take charge of their own learning and become active participants in their education.
Unlock the Nordic way of life on your exchange programme
Choose authenticity – trust WEP and prepare to be amazed.
On a Classic programme, you will experience the most authentic side of Norway. You may be placed anywhere in the country, depending on the location of the host family who has chosen you to share this incredible adventure with.
Volunteer host family
Public school
Placement anywhere in Norway
5 or 10-month programmes available
Your host family during your year abroad
Gain a second family – they can’t wait to welcome you into their lives!
Here is why:
At first, Norwegians can come across as calm and shy individuals. Speaking to strangers, or greeting people on the street, is quite rare: it is simply the Norwegian way of being kind. You will soon realise they have their own unique way of being loving and hospitable.
Norwegian families highly value equality, irrespective of gender, age or social class. Respect for others and inclusion are also very important, which means you will be welcomed into their family 'as you are' and you'll feel included right away.
As the saying goes, "Norwegians are born with skis on their feet"! Norwegians love to get out and about, catch up with friends, spend time in the mountains or at the seaside, follow sport on TV and play sports, too. Get ready for lots of new experiences!
Your school in Norway
Find out more about your school experience
Education in Norway includes the whole period from kindergarten to higher education, however schooling is compulsory for children aged 6 to 15.
Students attend primary school (barneskole) from 6 to 12 years old, then go to middle school (Ungdomsskole) until they're 15. At 16 years of age, students begin secondary school (Videregående skole), which is not compulsory, for three years. At the age of 18 or 19, students who have obtained a high school diploma can continue with higher education.
The Norwegian education system
Different schools in specific areas may offer different programmes and subjects. The core subjects common to all secondary schools include: Norwegian, English, a second foreign language, history, geography and mathematics.
During the last two years of secondary school, students can choose three elective subjects. Some of the most common electivs are English literature, phylosophy, chemistry, biology e physics. In vocational schools, students complete practical internships instead of studying electives.
Many schools offer bilingual programmes, with all subjects taught in English as well as Norwegian.
Subjects in Norway
Norwegian secondary schools can be of two types: Studiespesialisering, which offers a general programme aimed at preparing students for further education, and Yrkesfag, which is similar to vocational and technical schools.
Students spend three years in secondary school, consisting of:
* Grade 10 (16-17 years old)
* Grade 11 (17-18 years old)
* Grade 12 (18-19 years old)
Secondary schooling
Extra-curricular activities in Norwegian schools are many and varied. Activities are organised through clubs formed at the beginning of the academic year, however they can also be built into standard classes, making school a dynamic and interactive experience.
For example, classroom learning is often complemented by outdoor activities, live performances, excursions and school camps financed by the school itself, to guarantee all students have access to equal opportunities.
Extra-curricular activities
The Norwegian academic year is split in two terms. The first term (autumn) starts in the second half of August until Christmas, with a one-week break in October.
The second term (spring) often starts on January 2nd and goes all the way to mid-June, with a break for the winter holidays and a break for Easter. Summer holidays last approximately two months.
School hours vary depending on several factors: the geographical area of the school, the subjects chosen, and the school itself. Therefore, each student tends to have their own schedule, but generally speaking, the day starts between 8:00-9:30 am and ends between 2:00-3:30 pm, including a one-hour lunch break.
Classes are typically 1:30 hours long, including 15 minutes for students to get to the next classroom before the following period starts.
The school calendar
The Norwegian grading system is based on a scale from 1 to 6. The passing grade is 3, which is also the minimum average required to gain access to most universities; however, some of the most prestigious institutions require higher marks.
At the end of secondary school, Norwegian students sit a national exam called Eksamen fra videregående opplæring. The exam includes a Norwegian language and literature test, as well as a test on one or several subjects taken during the last year of school.
Grading system in Norway
Stories from students and parents who have been there
Here are the testimonials of families who have chosen WEP for their exchange experience.
Going with WEP is best
Since 1988, a wide choice of destinations and comprehensive assistance before, during and after your overseas programme. WEP is the ideal partner for your big overseas adventure.
Like you, we also get to choose who we travel with: our schools, host families and overseas partner organisations are carefully selected.
We offer a custom-made insurance policy, specifically designed for our participants, and we have a solid network behind us.
Emergency assistance, overseas and in the UK, is available 7 days out of 7, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Allowing all our participants to live their desired overseas experience is a mission, a challenge we're thrilled to accept.
FAQ
Your host family, local coordinator and your host organisation will provide you with support while you are overseas. WEP will remain in contact with the host organisation and your parents to coordinate and support your experience. In case of an emergency, both you and your family will be able to call an emergency phone number that is answered 24/7.
No. Even if you go on exchange to an English speaking destination, you will not be able to transfer work across to the UK school system. Students should expect to return home to the UK and start a new year of school having taken a gap year. Most applicants participate in a year program with WEP and return to school with the year below on their return. If you participate in a shorter program, your school might be willing to allow you to catch up with missed work so that you can continue in your same school year. All these decisions are made by your school so it is important that you talk with them before applying for the program.
Our partners have different rules regarding your language proficiency - some ask that you have between 1 and 2 years of experience with their language, while others (such as Brazil, Argentina, Denmark, Finland and Norway) do not require you to have learnt their language before departing on exchange.
If you want to go to a country where English is not the first language, you must be committed to learning the language and studying as much as possible before you depart - the more you know on arrival, the easier the transition will be. It wouldn’t be acceptable for you to arrive on exchange with no knowledge of the language, as you would struggle to establish yourself on the program.
Of course, there are English-speaking destinations available if you are not interested in learning another language.
No, it's the host families who choose the student they wish to invite into their home. Based on the documents you will submit as part of your WEP application, one lucky family will choose to open their home and hearts to you, which is why there is no avenue for students participating in a Classic exchange program to choose a specific location.
It may be possible to live with an overseas family that you already know (excluding relatives of the student). However, the family will have to be screened and approved, prepared and supported by our partner organisation in the same manner as any other host family. School enrolment must also be available.
Host families come in all shapes and sizes. There is no set idea of what a family will look like, so it's very important that you have an open mind. Some families have children of your age or younger; some have children who have grown up and moved away; others have not had children. Some are single parent or single person families. Some families have same-sex parents.
We ask that a host family provides a safe and caring environment for a young person to live in. Whatever your family looks like, they will welcome you as part of their family.
Most of our families are based in suburban or rural areas. It is very rare that a family is based in a large city.
In the USA, you can pay an additional fee to request a region or state of your choice. Placement in these areas is not guaranteed but you can state a preference. You only pay the fee if you are placed in the area you have requested.
Alternatively, on our Preferred programs in the USA, Canada and Australia, you can choose where exactly you will live as you can choose your school or school district.
Families in every destination are selected by a similar process:
Home interview -a staff member/representative of our partner organisation visits the family at home. They discuss what is involved in hosting and ensure they have the right motivation for hosting. They also assess the home for suitability and comfort.
References – friends/colleagues of family members are contacted and asked about the family’s ability to host and care for a young person.
Police check – all adult members of the home must complete a criminal background check.
NB: in Japan it is not possible for a criminal check to be secured due to the stringent bureaucracy preventing adults from getting a check of this nature. Most families are known by the school and the school plays a role in recruiting families.
Our partner organisations aim to notify your placement to you at least one month before departure. We hope that it will be no later than this, but, on occasion, the information does arrive later. Placement details could arrive a few days after you lodge your application or several months later. Whatever the situation, you have to be patient and be ready to contact your host family as soon as you receive the placement information sheet.
No. In most destinations your visa will not allow you to work while on the program. We also discourage students from working as it can prevent you from participating fully in other activities while on exchange. Students can volunteer if they wish.
No. Visits from family and friends are definitely not allowed during the exchange program. Your parents can plan to collect you at the end of the program from your host family home, but otherwise they cannot visit. If they do wish to collect you, they must notify WEP so that we can arrange your flight home for the correct date and arrange an extension of your insurance policy where needed. Please note that any additional fees for these changes are not included in the program fee.
Independent travel is not permissible while on exchange. However, you will be able to travel with your host family, school, host organisation and other community groups such as sporting teams or scouts. Again, the foremost aim of the program is educational, and your priority for any holiday periods must be your host family, who will be investing a lot of time, energy and money into this experience - simply in return for your frienship and positive contribution to their household.
Most of our partner organisations offer additional trips or tours that students can join to see more of their host country. The relevant information will be shared with your prior to departure or just after arrival. The cost of the trips or tours is not included in your program fee, so if you wish to join them you should budget for the extra expenses.
More questions?