Hey ho let's go! My name is Maja and I joined the Outdoor Life line 2019/2020. It's one of the best years of my life!

What kind of foundation for outdoor life did you leave while you were here?
You learn so much from going outdoors. Different techniques for lighting a fire when you only have a few matches, food recipes with lots of nutrition and long-lasting energy that do not take up much space in the backpack, how to use a storm kitchen, set up a tent, stay warm in the cold, pack the backpack (Yep, pack the backpack! Nope, you do not know how to pack the backpack), navigation and use of maps and compasses, various techniques for making shelter and sleeping space when you do not have a tent, lubricate and grind skis and lots, lots of other fun.

So if it's going to be a zombie apocalypse, we'll probably get the best out of it 

How do you practice outdoor life now?
I live in Oslo and am in the second year of nursing, so to practice outdoor life today I put on my backpack and tent on my back and sleep one night under a star when I need to get a little away from the city and study. Nordmarka, Østmarka and Lillomarka are favorites! I also got a hammock for Christmas which I am really looking forward to having with me next time I go on a trip. I am also very fond of cross-country skiing and then just take the track straight up the road to Sognsvann or Frognerseteren and take a trip. Last year there was so much snow in Oslo that I went from Frognerseteren and home to Majorstuen. 

It's nice to get away one day, but the best thing I know is to plan long trips. These trips vary, but preferably 3-5 days in the mountains, then I am super happy. This requires a bit of planning, but there is not as much planning as you might think. Do a little google search and see where you would like to travel, take public transport or car if you have the opportunity, pack your backpack with clothes, sleeping bag, food, map and compass and GOOD TRIP!

When I took the outdoor life line, I was so lucky to have the opportunity to take the hunter test, which has given me an incredible amount of joy and fun. Going hunting is great fun and you get to walk a lot in the woods! In addition, I am very fond of fly fishing, so my father and I often go on day trips to fish, and if we are at a cabin in Sørlandet we are almost gone every single day to fish for a few hours.

What memories and highlights do you want to highlight?

We had just so much fun with long walks in fantastic nature, eight people in one tent to play bum and president for many hours, who could swear the loudest where no one can hear, stand on slalom in Trysil, iceberg climbing and lots more.

There was also a lot of other fun that happened at school. All men traveled up to Glitterheim in the first weeks and it was great fun to get to know and go on a very cool trip you can brag about later 😉

We had a ball, Folkhighschoolympics where you get the opportunity to ice bath among other things (this is highly recommended!), Nice evenings in the fireplace room with music and karaoke, gingerbread house competition and not to mention the smiley evenings then 😛

How was a typical week on the outdoor line?
A typical week on the Friluftsliv line began with a meeting in the fireplace cabin, where we light the fireplace, have a chat and plan what we were going to do that week. Whether it was walking, skiing, canoeing, cycling or other fun activities.

In what way were you challenged?
I was challenged in many ways. It was quite new for me to exercise outdoors in this way.

It is also a bit nice to walk in rough weather as well. Fitness and strength are challenged, I have never been in such good shape as when I went to Friluftsliv.

Using the body in this way feels fantastic, at least combined with nice nature. We have joint choir rehearsal and it is a challenge if you are not so used to singing. I was challenged by taking electives I might not have imagined doing such as Knifemaking, Djembe and Zumba classes. 

What electives did you have?
I had the electives Knitting, Djembe, Dance, Yoga, Zumba, Strength, Knifemaking, Ceramics and the Hunter test.

What tips do you have for new students?
My advice to you is to be open and have respect for those you meet. Folkehøgskole is for everyone and I promise you that if you meet everyone with an open mind, you will make friends that you will not get that you could become friends with. Challenge yourself by singing out loud, choose electives YOU want to try, not the ones your friends are going to. You may only have one chance in life to learn to play djembe drums, so do it 😉 If you are a little shy, show up for the activities you can. It's a little scary, but you will not regret it. 

How did you end up at Elverum Folkehøgskole?
I ended up at Elverum Folk High School because I wanted to see more of my own country in addition to an environmentally friendly year. There are many outdoor life lines that combine a trip abroad and I was not interested in that. I wanted to go out into the Norwegian forest and the Norwegian mountains and I promise you it was worth it.

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