In the school year 2012–2013, about 7,000 students used the various schemes. The EU and the Nordic Council of Ministers’ education program are modest support schemes compared with the Lånekassen’s support for student exchange in Vg2, as they primarily cover shorter stays. Lånekassen refers to a strong increase in students who apply for and receive support for stays abroad in Vg2. 2350 students received support through the scheme in the school year 2012–2013. (fig. p.2)
Most Vg2 students who use this opportunity travel to English-speaking countries, especially the USA and the UK. Few go to other important partner countries such as Germany and France. This is a crossroads when we know that Germany and France are among Norway’s most important trading partners, and there is therefore a need for people who speak German and French.
Mobility in higher education
Within higher education, the Erasmus program plays a key role in the mobility of exchange students to Norway. In the last decade, the number of incoming Erasmus students has quadrupled, from 1,000 in 2001–02 to over 4,000 in 2011–12. By 2020, at least 20 per cent of those completing higher education in Europe will have had a study or internship abroad. Norway already meets the target: In 2012–2013, 21 per cent of Norwegian students took all or part of their education abroad.
8: Internationalization at home
Internationalization does not necessarily mean travel and stays abroad. Internationalization at home is also a goal in Norwegian education. It simply means that schools must work with internationalization in the classroom.
Communication technology makes it easier to collaborate digitally, and the European school platform eTwinning will help schools with just that. Here you will find good examples, ideas and guides on how to start a school project through discussion groups and online courses. Over 180,000 teachers in 33 European countries are already affiliated with eTwinning.
9: Regional differences and added value
According to NEXTICLE, both within basic education and higher education, there are large regional differences in Norway in the level of activity when it comes to internationalization. For higher education institutions, the balance of mobility varies, how many exchange students come in in relation to outgoing students, from place of teaching to place of study. For Bergen University College, those who enter make up only a quarter of those who leave. At the other end of the scale is Finnmark University College; there are almost seven foreign students for each outgoing person. Within basic education, there are correspondingly large differences between the counties in the use of the scheme for exchange in Vg2. The differences may be due to different business structure, parents’ educational background or different tradition of traveling abroad. When it comes to the level of activity within the European education program, it seems to be closely linked to whether a county municipality prioritises pupil and student exchange.
Internationalization adds value
Both in basic education and higher education, internationalization represents an important quality in the learning process. The schools’ internationalization work is directly linked to curriculum goals and is included in the school’s plans. This means that internationalization should not come “on top” of the school’s ordinary teaching, but on the contrary should be included as a natural part of everyday school life.
SIU’s ( Center for Internationalization of Education ) surveys show that international school cooperation is demanding, but provides added value to schools and students, both in the form of academic, social and cultural competence. And there is room for more in the collaboration, many more.
Part of the Europe in Change series
This issue of Where Does It Happen? (HHD) is part of the series “Europe in change” which will address conditions and developments in Europe and the EU. This also means Norway’s relations with Europe and the EU, among other things as it appears in EEA co-operation. To a large extent, the
articles will be in addition to regular yearlings’ 24 articles in Where does it happen ?.
The series “Europe in Change” is a collaboration between the Norwegian Institute of Foreign Policy , the Ministry of Foreign Affairs , and the NDLA (Norwegian Digital Learning Arena).
Part of the Europe in Change series
This issue of Where Does It Happen? (HHD) is part of the series “Europe in change” which addresses conditions and developments in Europe and the EU. This also means Norway’s relations with Europe and the EU, among other things as it appears in EEA co-operation. To a large extent, the articles will be in addition to regular yearlings’ 24 articles in Where does it happen?
The series “Europe in Change” is a collaboration between the Norwegian Institute of Foreign Policy , the Ministry of Foreign Affairs , and the NDLA (Norwegian Digital Learning Arena).
