Study Trip
Animation and Graphics: Japan
In the spring, the program travels to Tokyo, the world’s largest city, in Japan! The city is packed with exciting and memorable experiences and is known for its unique combination of the hypermodern and traditional. Skyscrapers bathed in neon lights stand side by side with ancient Shinto and Buddhist temples and gardens. In these streets, we get up close to the culture, trends, food, and not least the anime universes that the country is so famous for.
Among the highlights are the Ghibli Museum, karaoke, temple walks, food markets, arcades, and the countless anime centers. The program varies from year to year, so a visit to an animation studio or an animation festival might be on the agenda. Since we travel in the spring, we might also be lucky enough to experience sakura (cherry blossom season).
Suggested day-by-day program:
- Day 1: Fly from Bergen to Osaka
- Day 2: Visit Tokyo Skytree and Senso-ji Temple
- Day 3: Excursion to Akihabara and group dinner
- Day 4: Visit Ghibli Museum and drawing in Inokashira Park
- Day 5: Teamlab Planets (interactive art installation) + Small Worlds Tokyo (miniature gallery with animatronics)
- Day 6: Tokyo National Museum and Ueno Zoo (sketching/croquis), karaoke in the evening
- Day 7: Excursion to Kamakura; Hokokuji Temple and Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine
- Day 8: Suginami Animation Museum, Takeshita Street and Shibuya Crossing
- Day 9: Free exploration of the city, group dinner
- Day 10: Tokyo Anime Awards (Animation Festival)
- Day 11: Hokusai Museum and Edo-Tokyo (recreated district from the Edo period)
- Day 12: Return from Tokyo to Bergen
Architecture and Design: Japan
The spring semester study trip goes to Japan, a very special country where a lot of exciting developments are happening in technology and product design. We visit several recent architectural projects, both in central Tokyo and in the region. In Kyoto, we experience traditional architecture; temples, old wooden houses, and beautiful Japanese gardens. We take the bullet train to Tokyo – and if we’re lucky, the study trip will coincide with the fantastic cherry blossom season!
Suggested day-by-day program:
- Day 1: Fly from Bergen to Osaka
- Day 2: Arrival in Osaka. Train to Kyoto
- Day 3: Visit historical temples and Japanese gardens in Kyoto
- Day 4: Workshop/Free exploration in Kyoto
- Day 5: Take the Shinkansen bullet train to Hiroshima
- Day 6: Free exploration in Hiroshima
- Day 7: Take train and ferry to Naoshima. Art museums designed by Japanese architect Tadao Ando
- Day 8: Rent bikes/Experience Naoshima
- Day 9: Take ferry and bullet train to Tokyo
- Day 10: Visit design office
- Day 11: Free exploration in Tokyo
- Day 12: Departure from Tokyo
Philosophy - Island Hopping in Greece
The Philosophy program travels to Greece, where the cradle of philosophy awaits in Athens. Here we’ll see some of the world’s most iconic highlights:
- Acropolis with the Parthenon
- Agora – the ancient marketplace and meeting place of philosophers
- The area of Plato’s Academy
We follow in the footsteps of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle and reflect on how their ideas still influence us today.
After Athens, island hopping in the Cyclades awaits:
- Beautiful whitewashed villages
- Crystal clear sea
- Small picturesque beaches
- Diving and snorkeling
- Greek food
Here we can combine philosophical conversations with shared experiences, beach life, and freedom. We can take time to discuss, think, and get to know each other and the world better.
Your Future - Fall: Italy
It’s fun to watch movies about distant and exotic cultures, but it’s even better to experience them yourself! The class trips will give you the opportunity to try new flavorful dishes, see fantastic nature, and feel what it’s like to live in other countries. The trips only last a few weeks, but the memories will last a lifetime!
Already in the fall, we pack our suitcases and travel to Italy – the country known for its unparalleled beauty, rich history, and not least, food!
We first travel to the Solopaca area where the team at Ulivieti is ready to welcome us: Ulivieti Castelsanmartino
Since the time of the Roman Empire, Italy has played a crucial role in the development of our Western civilization. We will experience some of the country’s history and enjoy the sight of magnificent nature, fantastic art, and impressive architecture. We will experience Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius, as well as walk through the streets and admire the Trevi Fountain in Rome.
Italian cuisine is world-renowned, and no trip to Italy is complete without gastronomic food experiences. Good, tasty, and exciting food is everywhere! Here you can admire the Colosseum after a delicious pasta meal, or go exploring in charming small streets while snacking on cheese and prosciutto – and don’t forget the gelato!
Pack sunscreen, a sense of adventure, good shoes, and a camera, and get ready to be enchanted!
The program:
- Day 1: Travel from Bergen to Naples. Arrival and introduction to Solopaca and Uliveti Castel San Martino's olive farm
- Day 2: Harvesting at Uliveti Castel San Martino's olive grove. Visit to a local olive press
- Day 3: Departure to Pietraroja. Cheese course, guided tour of Cusano Mutri town and visit to local shops
- Day 4: Visit to Pompeii and the active volcano, Vesuvius
- Day 5: Travel from Solopaca to Rome. Spanish Steps – Trevi Fountain
- Day 6: Pantheon - Piazza Navona - Via Coronari - Castel Sant'Angelo - St. Peter's Basilica
- Day 7: Santa Maria Maggiore - Lateran Basilica - Colosseum - Capitoline Hill (Campidoglio). Departure from Rome to Bergen.
Your Future - Spring: Sri Lanka
In the spring, we’re going on another trip! We’re heading to Sri Lanka in collaboration with the aid organization FORUT.
Sri Lanka is located in the Indian Ocean, east of India, and is often called the Teardrop of India. The country’s most fantastic sights include high mountains, white beaches, herds of wild elephants, rolling hills, and rainforests.
The climate is tropical. We can expect 25-30 degrees while enjoying nature up close, climbing the historic Sigiriya rock, exploring the Temple of the Tooth, and experiencing the culture in the big cities of Colombo and Kandy.
FORUT has been working in Sri Lanka for more than 40 years and knows the country and its people very well. We are so fortunate that we are not just tourists, but get to visit several of FORUT’s projects around the island.
This trip will be a lifetime experience, and many will certainly have a desire to return to Sri Lanka later.
Latin America - Travel and Experience - Latin America
Pyramids, indigenous peoples, and waterfalls
The program puts together its own study trip to Latin America. You can experience impressive national parks, rainforests, beautiful beaches and flavors, and not least countless cultural and human encounters.
Previously, the class has traveled to Mexico, for example, where you can get an insight into the country’s history, including through the encounter with Diego Rivera’s world-famous murals. We can visit various museums, floating gardens /Xochimilco, climb the sun and moon pyramids and participate in ancient rituals such as Temazcal (sweat lodge), or visit local fishermen, look for whales, dolphins and sea turtles. In the mangrove landscape, we can get close to crocodiles, bird life and iguanas. Imagine waking up in the morning to the sound of waves in a hammock in a bamboo hut! We bathe in unique waterfalls, have opportunities for bike rides, zipline, cave visits, church visits and various museum visits.
In collaboration with the teacher on the program, you tailor the trip to suit your class. The teacher goes to great lengths to make your dreams come true.
Human encounters and respect
Perhaps the most important travel experience is the encounters with engaged, open, and inclusive people who proudly offer us a taste of their culture. And OUR most important task as visitors is to be respectful and good recipients!
Miniature Gaming: England, Nottingham
We travel to England, where we visit the Games Workshop headquarters – the world’s largest producer of miniature games. Here we get to experience their interactive museum, game rooms, and other events.
The trip combines gaming experiences with culture and history. We explore historical landmarks such as Gothic cathedrals, castles, and buildings that have inspired the Warhammer universe. Here we get inspiration for our own model building, terrain design, and historical understanding.
Musical and Performance: Interrail - Copenhagen, Berlin, Amsterdam and London
In the spring, we go on an Interrail trip through Europe. On the journey, we’ll have some exciting experiences together and loads of inspiration from performances and workshops with professional stage artists.
The goal of the study trip is to gather as many experiences as possible, and with a backpack and train through Europe, everything is set for great experiences together!
Suggested day-by-day program:
- Day 1: Train from Bergen to Oslo - experience in Oslo
- Day 2: Train from Oslo to Copenhagen - experience the city by night
- Day 3: We explore Copenhagen - guided tour and performance
- Day 4: Train from Copenhagen to Berlin - experience the city by night
- Day 5: We explore Berlin - workshop and performance
- Day 6: We explore Berlin - workshop and performance
- Day 7: Train from Berlin to Amsterdam - experience the city by night
- Day 8: We explore Amsterdam - train from Amsterdam to London
- Day 9: We explore London - guided tour and performance
- Day 10: We experience London day - performance
- Day 11: Make your own London day - performance
- Day 12: We return to Norway - flight from London
Product Design: Japan
The spring semester study trip goes to Japan, a very special country where a lot of exciting developments are happening in technology and product design. Previously, we have visited international design firms like Designit and Reaktor. We have also participated in workshops in the traditional Japanese design technique kintsugi, where we learn to repair clay and porcelain that has broken. We take the bullet train to Tokyo – and if we’re lucky, the study trip will coincide with the fantastic cherry blossom season.
Suggested day-by-day program:
- Day 1: Fly from Bergen to Osaka
- Day 2: Arrival in Osaka. Train to Kyoto
- Day 3: Visit historical temples and Japanese gardens in Kyoto
- Day 4: Workshop/Free exploration in Kyoto
- Day 5: Take the Shinkansen bullet train to Hiroshima
- Day 6: Free exploration in Hiroshima
- Day 7: Take train and ferry to Naoshima. Art museums designed by Japanese architect Tadao Ando
- Day 8: Rent bikes/Experience Naoshima
- Day 9: Take ferry and bullet train to Tokyo
- Day 10: Visit design office
- Day 11: Free exploration in Tokyo
- Day 12: Departure from Tokyo
Revue and Theater: Interrail - Copenhagen, Berlin, Amsterdam and London
The spring study trip will be an Interrail journey where we board the train in Bergen and stop in Copenhagen, Berlin, Amsterdam, and London. The trip will give us some fantastic experiences and loads of inspiration from performances and workshops with professional stage artists in Europe.
We attend performances and experience some of the finest in theater, musical theater, concerts, and shows. We go backstage at theaters and get workshops with actors who work on the big stages.
The program varies from year to year as students help decide some of the program content.
Suggested program:
- Day 1: Train from Bergen to Oslo Central Station
- Day 2: Train from Oslo Central Station to Copenhagen. Explore the city and group dinner.
- Day 3: Copenhagen. Tour of the Royal Danish Theatre and evening performance. Shopping and free time.
- Day 4 - 5: Train from Copenhagen to Berlin. Guided tour through Berlin's history. Students get time to explore the city, we visit museums, have a workshop at the Brecht Theater, and see a performance in the evening.
- Day 6 - 7: Train from Berlin to Amsterdam. We explore Amsterdam. The city offers many great experiences.
- Day 8 - 11: Train from Amsterdam to London. London's West End is the place for the best theater and musical experiences in the world. We will of course see many. There will also be several workshops and theater tours. We visit markets and have several dinners together. There's also plenty of time to explore London on your own.
- Day 12: We fly back home to Bergen and Åsane Folk High School.
Writing Workshop: Ireland
In the spring semester, we go on a study trip to Ireland – the country with the most Nobel laureates in literature relative to its population and a highly vibrant storytelling tradition. Dublin was founded by Vikings 1200 years ago, and today it is a perfect starting point for exploring the country’s proud literary traditions. We spend the first half of the trip on literary tours, museums, and pubs in Ireland’s fascinating capital.
After our days in Dublin, we embark on an exploration of this charming, unique country. The itinerary is influenced by the students’ choices. Perhaps we’ll spend a couple of days in a monastery, at the beautiful Mt. Melleray Abbey in the south? Or perhaps we’ll head north to Belfast, where street art and political divisions characterize the cityscape? In any case, we end up in the west: Galway is often called Ireland’s cultural capital, but it also offers magnificent nature on a boat trip to the exotic Aran Islands and the iconic Cliffs of Moher.
Ireland is both an exciting and safe country to travel in. In various contexts, we encounter authors such as Oscar Wilde, James Joyce, Samuel Beckett, Bram Stoker, and many more.
Along the way, time is set aside for writing and independent exploration. Don’t be surprised if you encounter fairies and leprechauns too.
Scholarship - Leadership and Event: Nepal
We fly to the capital Kathmandu, which is about 1400 meters above sea level. From there we see the mighty mountains of the Himalayas that stretch to 8,848 meters above sea level. Nepal borders China to the north, and India to the west, south, and east. In the north of the country lies the world’s highest mountain, Mount Everest. About 75% of the country’s 30 million inhabitants work in agriculture, often on very small farms that barely provide for self-sufficiency.
Together with FORUT, Åsane Folk High School’s aid partner with long experience in development cooperation in Nepal, we will get to know the situation of children in the country, and projects supported with help from Norway.
In the capital Kathmandu in Nepal, the school supports Child Workers In Nepal (CWIN)’s work by contributing to the Balika Peace Home orphanage, which we visit. In addition to financial support, students, staff, and friends of the school contribute by knitting warm sweaters for the children at the orphanage. Annually, around 60 newly knitted wool sweaters are transported from Åsane Folk High School to Balika.
We will also experience places in and around the capital that are on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, and we will go on a four to six-day trek that goes through cultural landscapes and villages that will take us up to about 4000 meters in altitude.
We travel with backpacks and sleeping bags, hiking through unique areas that are not typically common tourist trails. The strongest impressions and experiences come from meeting the people who live in the areas we visit. We are warmly welcomed, gain good insight into their living conditions, and not least, experience the joy of life despite limited material possessions. We will see – and walk through – a landscape that is overwhelmingly beautiful. You will have an experience for a lifetime!
Elective: Explore Nepal
Explore Nepal is an elective for those with a desire to travel and who want to experience the everyday life, nature, and culture of the mountain country Nepal.
Travel, learn, and experience
We fly to the capital Kathmandu, which is about 1400 meters above sea level. From there we see the mighty mountains of the Himalayas that stretch to 8,848 meters above sea level. Nepal borders China to the north, and India to the west, south, and east. In the north of the country lies the world’s highest mountain, Mount Everest. About 75% of the country’s 30 million inhabitants work in agriculture, often on very small farms that barely provide for self-sufficiency.
Together with FORUT, Åsane Folk High School’s aid partner with long experience in development cooperation in Nepal, we will get to know the situation of children in the country, and projects supported with help from Norway.
In the capital Kathmandu in Nepal, the school supports Child Workers In Nepal (CWIN)’s work by contributing to the Balika Peace Home orphanage, which we visit. In addition to financial support, students, staff, and friends of the school contribute by knitting warm sweaters for the children at the orphanage. Annually, around 60 newly knitted wool sweaters are transported from Åsane Folk High School to Balika.
We will also experience places in and around the capital that are on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, and we will go on a four to six-day trek that goes through cultural landscapes and villages that will take us up to about 4000 meters in altitude.
We travel with backpacks and sleeping bags, hiking through unique areas that are not typically common tourist trails. The strongest impressions and experiences come from meeting the people who live in the areas we visit. We are warmly welcomed, gain good insight into their living conditions, and not least, experience the joy of life despite limited material possessions. We will see – and walk through – a landscape that is overwhelmingly beautiful. You will have an experience for a lifetime!
Programs
Students at Åsane Folk High School can choose from 11 different programs.
At Åsane, we will support you in the programs whether you want to try something new or need help with further studies and work life.
Your week with us will consist of main subjects, electives, and various common subjects.
