Summer Course

In the classroom – students, FK volunteers and teacher Peter Wilson

Once students have been selected to attend UWC Red Cross Nordic, we identify those who would benefit from a 3-week Summer Course which aims to introduce them to many aspects of College life. It gives the new students an opportunity to adjust to using English as the language of daily life before the arrival of the hundred second-years and the remaining new first-years. The course gives those students with less experience of English an opportunity to practise using the working language of the College in academic situations as well as in the social and residential situations which make up such a significant part of College life.

The Course is run by two teachers with assistance from 3-4 recently-graduated UWC students and a group of Norwegian Peace Corps volunteers. The Course is structured with classes in the mornings and activities in the afternoons and evenings. The Norwegian Peace Corps volunteers work as classroom assistants, so a focus on Norwegian life and attitudes is a natural part of the teaching. Students share and challenge assumptions, discuss the unfamiliar food and northern European weather, and work closely together in the classroom.

The UWC graduates are able to share their experiences and explain aspects of student life at the College and help the new students develop a supportive network of friends during the course. The UWC graduates also run the extracurricular activities, guiding activities as the new students learn about each other’s cultures and helping students to develop their communication skills.

This period of orientation is often referred to as an invaluable start to the UWC journey by those who have participated in it.

For more information, please see the latest English Summer Course Information Booklet.

IB Learners strive to be:

Inquirers

They develop their
natural curiosity.
They acquire the skills
necessary to conduct
inquiry and research
and show
independence
in learning.
They actively enjoy
learning and this
love of learning
will be sustained
throughout their lives.

Knowledgeable

They explore concepts,
ideas and issues
that have local and
global significance.
In so doing,
they acquire
in-depth knowledge
and develop
understanding
across a broad
and balanced
range of disciplines.

Thinkers

They exercise
initiative in
applying thinking
skills critically
and creatively
to recognize
and approach
complex problems,
and make reasoned,
ethical decisions.

Communicators

They understand
and express ideas
and information
confidently
and creatively
in more than
one language and
in a variety of modes
of communication.
They work effectively
and willingly in
collaboration
with others.

Principled

They act with
integrity and honesty,
with a strong sense
of fairness, justice and
respect for the dignity
of the individual,
groups and communities.
They take responsibility
for their own actions
and the consequences
that accompany them.

Open-minded

They understand and
appreciate their
own cultures and
personal histories,
and are open
to the perspectives,
values and traditions
of other individuals
and communities.
They are accustomed
to seeking
and evaluating
a range of
points of view,
and are willing
to grow from
the experience.

Caring

They show empathy,
compassion and
respect towards
the needs and
feelings of others.
They have a
personal commitment
to service, and act
to make a
positive difference
to the lives
of others
and to
the environment.

Risk-takers

They approach
unfamiliar situations
and uncertainty
with courage
and forethought,
and have the
independence
of spirit to
explore new roles,
ideas and strategies.
They are brave
and articulate
in defending
their beliefs.

Balanced

They understand
the importance
of intellectual,
physical and
emotional balance
to achieve
personal well-being
for themselves
and others.

Reflective

They give thoughtful
consideration to
their own learning
and experience.
They are able
to assess
and understand
their strengths
and limitations
in order to support
their learning and
personal development.