Everyday life at Silkeborg Højskole
Wake up with a morning swim. Start your day with a song. Spend your days immersed of subjects of your own choosing. Fuel up on healthy meals. Zone out on the sofas. Talk deeply. Laugh loudly. Feel the freedom to simply be.
The Daily Rhythm of life at Silkeborg Højskole
Everyday life at Silkeborg Højskole is shaped by steady rhythms and room for spontaneity. We start the day together at morning assembly – a space for shared reflection and fresh inspiration, where students and teachers share stories, music, images, or thoughts.
The weekly structure revolves around classes, meals, and togetherness. But folk high school life doesn’t stop when the schedule does. A discussion from class might continue over the dishes, and a meeting in the house group can grow into new friendships.
At Silkeborg Højskole, you become part of a “we” that ebbs and flows with the rhythm of the week’s activities.
We begin each day with a morning assembly. Teachers, and sometimes students, present a theme, a hobby, a personal experience, a favourite movie, a piece of music, or something else entirely that is important to them and that they wish to share. The aim is to reflect on an aspect of life that might inspire you throughout the day. This is also the time for singing from the famous songbook Højskolesangbogen, which is an integral part of Danish folk high schools.
On Wednesdays, we all come together for a common meeting (fællesmøde) in the living room. Here, we discuss everyday life at the Højskole and adress any and all relevant issues that may arise. Both students and staff are invited to set the agenda.
All students belong to a house group (husgruppe) with an assigned contact teacher. Within this group you and your friends are assigned weekly tasks like cleaning and dishwashing. Furthermore, you meet with your house group once a week to discuss big and small matters e.g. ensuring everyone’s social well-being.
Wednesdays include cultural evenings at the school. We might enjoy an evening with a well-known speaker, band, actor, or politician or reserve the evening for a themed concept like e.g. international cuisine etc.
On Friday evenings the café is open. Students organise events and theme parties, gaming tournaments, jam sessions and poetry readings. This is the time to let lose whether dancing and partying is your thing or if you enjoy a mellower kind of fun and conversation.
Everyday life at Silkeborg Højskole is more than a schedule. It’s a heartbeat we all share.
Singing Lessons and Immersion Fridays
Every Tuesday afternoon, we all gather to sing. The singing lesson is a weekly space for breathing and uniting.
Every Friday, we slow down the pace and zoom in. On Immersion Fridays, your schedule is cleared so you can spend the entire day on a special theme.
Teaching
Many experience the teaching at Silkeborg Højskole as a new way of learning.
We do not work from a set curriculum or syllabus – or grade your performance. At Silkeborg Højskole we explore the world with curiosity and an open mind. You choose what you want to immerse yourself in – and you’ll meet teachers who are passionate about what they teach.
Here, curiosity and community drive learning forward. There’s room for dialogue and the exchange of ideas along the way – and for experimentation.
As a student, you create your own schedule by combining:
- One main subject – your subject foundation and the only subject you choose at registration.
- Two existential subjects – where we explore life’s big questions together.
- Several elective subject – where you can try something new, refine your skills, or dive deeper into a personal niche interest.
This is how we live
You don’t just live at a folk high school – you move into a small community. At Silkeborg Højskole, you share everyday life with your roommate and the people on your hall. Here, brushing your teeth and bedtime routines turn into friendships and long evening conversations.
The rooms are bright and cozy double rooms overlooking the lake Silkeborg Langsø and the surrounding greenery. All rooms have a desk, two lockable wardrobes, and a small area with a sink and mirror. Bathroom and toilet facilities are located on each corridor.
You’ll likely find that once you move in, you quickly begin to open up – to the community, to closeness, and to the unpredictability that arises when you live door to door with strangers who soon become anything but.
