Danish folk high schools see surge in Japanese students amid growing interest

In spring 2024, Danish folk high schools welcomed 872 foreign students, with Japan represented by 167 individuals, making it the country with the largest foreign student presence, accounting for 19.2% of the total. This statistic highlights a growing interest in Danish folk high school traditions since 2021, amid the impacts of the pandemic. By September 2023, there were already 149 Japanese students enrolled.

At Skals Højskole near Viborg, six out of 17 students in one course are from Japan. The school’s principal, Helle Mogensen, noted the cultural differences between Denmark and Japan. She emphasized that the Danish lifestyle promotes a looser social structure and encourages more freedom among students.

Hana Harada, one of the 167 Japanese students, is studying at Bosei Sports College in Præstø, South Zealand. Her interest in Denmark grew while studying Danish at a university in Japan. She believes that living in close quarters with peers at folk high schools fosters better relationships. The autonomy offered in Danish education contrasted sharply with the discipline typically found in Japan, influencing her decision.

Mao Inami took a break from her medical studies to attend Nordfyns Højskole. Betina Egede Jensen, Secretary General of the Association of Folk High Schools, acknowledged the growing scholarly interest in the Danish folk high school model among Japanese researchers, pointing out that it offers a more holistic experience compared to Japan’s high-performance society.

In 2024, 80% of folk high schools in Denmark had at least one foreign student, with representation from 60 countries, including Norway, Bolivia, and Vietnam. Two-thirds of foreign students hail from European nations, while 25% are from Asia, and only 2% come from Africa.