A study counsellor in Arendal, Norway

Blog post by Kia, study counsellor at Helsingin aikuisopiston peruskoulu

In the first week of June, I went on a job shadowing trip to learn about education and guidance for immigrants in Arendal. Arendal is a municipality of 45,000 people in southern Norway. It receives many immigrants, because the population has gone down worryingly over the years. The town wants more children in its schools and more workers, for example for a big battery factory.

Mennesker møter muligheter = People meet opportunities

Arendal voksenopplæring has over 400 adult immigrant students and about 60 teachers. The school has three departments: Norwegian language, preparatory education (= basic education for adults) and special education. Immigrants are mainly offered the same kinds of education as in Finland, with the same requirements and goals. Norway has also introduced an ICDP course and a civic orientation course, which were still only being planned in Finland.

Local people take part in integration

The municipality has worked in a planned way to become open and welcoming to immigrants. Years ago, there were many problems with racism and far-right groups in the municipality. This led to a strong wish to change things together with the municipality and the local people. There have also been economic challenges after the mines closed. This is why people are happy about the new battery factory, which is expected to employ about 2,000 people.

The view from the study counsellor’s office – calming and hopeful!

The school’s study counsellor works a lot with different organisations. They have different projects related to integration, where organisations and local volunteers take part. One very interesting method is Folk møter folk (People meet people), which organises regular meetings between local people and immigrants. The method has been so successful that it received recognition from the Nobel Peace Center. You can read more about the method (also in English) here: folkmoterfolk.no.

Courses that support integration

In Norway, ICDP courses are compulsory. ICDP stands for International Child Development Programme. The course is held in different languages and is meant for parents. It is a 24-hour programme to strengthen parenting and communication skills. Each session has its own theme, and the materials are ready in different languages. The teaching was participatory and informal, and we had interesting discussions, even about personal things.

An ICDP course in Tigrinya

The civic orientation course in the participants’ own language covers important things about Norwegian society. The course prepares participants for a social studies test, which they must take in their own language, in English or orally in Norwegian. Passing the test is a requirement for permanent residence. For citizenship, the social studies test must be taken in Norwegian, and of course there is also a Norwegian language test. The materials for the course and the test are on the website samfunnskunnskap.no.

In Arendal, I also got to take part in less formal events, such as the staff summer party. There I learnt a lot about Norwegian society and Norwegian people. It was nice to spend time with them. Everyone was friendly, modest and positive. They enjoy the archipelago and nature.