UWC Red Cross Nordic
Flekke, Norway
205 students
aged between 16-20 years old
Founded
1995
3 March 2017
UWC Red Cross Nordic College has three pillars: Nordic, Humanitarian and Environmental. All Nordic countries contribute to the funding of the College. The College is a Foundation, with the Red Cross in Norway and Sogn & Fjordane amongst the founders. As part of their Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS) programme students take a Red Cross diploma. On campus, sports facilities are shared with Red Cross Haugland Rehabilitation Centre, as a close co-operation partner.
Three Unique Features
- Nordic - Public funding from the Nordic countries enables the college to undertake a selection entirely based on merit and potential, creating a learning environment where diversity is truly experienced as a value for all.
- Humanitarian - The Norwegian Red Cross is one of the founders of the college. In the extra academic programme all students take an extensive red cross diploma, giving knowledge of the humanitarian principles of the organisation and the practical skills associated with them. The College shares campus and co-operate with the Red Cross Haugland Rehabilitation Centre, who also gives access to their training facilities.
- Environmental - The college emphasises awareness of themes related to sustainability in several subjects and has an action component related to it in several extra academic groups, including co/operation with the region. The certification for Environmental Lighthouse is undertaken with a yearly report.
In the Classroom
UWC Red Cross Nordic offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP) curriculum. Alongside standard courses, the College offers Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, Global Politics, Environmental Systems and Societies, and Theater Arts. Additionally, first year students attend Life Skills programme weekly sessions, exploring and developing their familiarity with topics relating to Red Cross values and the Nordic, Humanitarian and Environmental pillars of the college.
Outside the Classroom
The extra-academic program focuses on three pillars: Nordic, Humanitarian and Environmental. It has a strong emphasis on community service with a wide range of cultural and outdoor activities. This can be in the form of: informal activities, extra-academic commitments, Project Based Learning Weeks, Frilufsveke - Ski Week, special events, global concerns, cultural days and campus responsibilities. Central in the community service is assisting with Camp School and the Haugland Rehabilitation Center, as well as operating student initiated organisations. The college runs different craft and music activities.
The beautiful fjord landscape provides an excellent setting for activities in the water and on the mountains. As a first year, you can be trained to become an outdoor leader, with the aim to put the competence into practice in the second year. Ridderrennet is an annual international ski competition for the disabled, where students are sent as participants and as volunteers.
Short Courses
UWC RCN runs a preparatory Summer Course in advance of the academic year to give new students with limited English exposure lessons in the language, help orient them to their new environment, provide them with a supportive network and introduce them to life at UWC.
Campus and Facilities
The College has 5 student residences, each housing 40 students. The rooms, hosting 5 students each, are furnished in traditional Norwegian style and each has its own bathroom facilities. A central laundry is situated in the middle of the Student Village. The College’s daughter company UWC Connect is responsible for accommodating external guests to the College in the two houses on campus built with the purpose that visitors can benefit from this diverse environment. There is good access to the swimming pool at the Haugland Centre as well as a weight training room and a gym.
Geographic Setting
The College is set in a beautiful fjord landscape on the Norwegian West Coast. It takes 40 minutes to Førde Airport Bringeland, and 3 hours to Bergen International Airport.
Admissions
Students apply through their UWC national committee. Additionally, there are local places for Vestland County and a few places through the UWC Global Selection Programme. For more information, visit the website.