Under the Dannebrog They Stand - Part 3

Something a bit more concerning me; the education system. In the states we are accustomed to the pre-school, elementary school, middle school, high school, and university education scale. In Denmark the scale is very similar starting with pre-school, primary education (Folkeskole), secondary education, higher education, then adult education. Only the Folkeskole (“public school”) is compulsory. Essentially there are only 9 years (7-16) of mandatory schooling before entering the work force. About 82% of young people take further education addition to this. The 82% have the option of attending a number of types of secondary education schools.

The young person has the option of attending Gymnasium, Higher Preparatory Examination, Higher Commercial Examination Programme, Higher Technical Examination Programme, Vocational Education, or Basic Social and Health Education. The Danish Gymnasium offers a 3-year general academically-oriented upper secondary programme which builds on the 9th-10th form of the Folkeskole and leads to the upper secondary school exit examination. This can be equated with high school in the U.S.. The Higher Preparatory Examination is a 2-year general upper secondary programme building on to the 10th form of the Folkeskole and leading to the higher preparatory examination, which qualifies for admission to higher education, subject to the special entrance regulation applying to the individual high education programmes. The Higher Commercial Examination Programme is a business-oriented education in Denmark. In Denmark, the Higher Technical Examination Programme is a 3-year vocationally oriented general upper secondary programme which builds on the 9th-10th form of the Folkeskole. Vocational Secondary Education in Denmark takes place at special state-funded vocational schools, most of which are either technical schools or business colleges.

As it will apply to me, I’ll be attending Secondary Education in Denmark (in Danish: ungdomsuddannelse, “youth education”). This usually takes two to four years and is attended by students between the ages of 15 to 20. I'll most likely be attending a Gymnasium.

UPDATE FROM THE OUTSIDE WORLD: Some of the other exchange students going to Denmark have recieved their families which means they are starting to place us. Let's everyone keep our fingers crossed that I get my family soon. Untill then I'm studying my you know what off for finals which are th 3rd, 4th, and 5th and for my SATs on the 7th.