Adventures, sports, and international friends for a lifetime

Sønderborg Sports Folk High School (IHS) offers a unique informal adult education and an opportunity for personal growth, with a special focus on sports. Ideal for individuals in the 18-25 age group, this school serves as a fantastic gap year experience during or before your formal educational journey. It’s a chance to dive into a vibrant environment, meet new people, and forge friendships that can last a lifetime.

Sports, knowledge, and unique travel opportunities

We offer a variety of courses in sports (see under “subjects”) but also in areas such as arts, crafts, culture, philosophy, personal development, and social issues. You have the opportunity to either learn something completely new from scratch or dive deep into what already triggers your interest. As part of the experience, the school arranges exciting travel opportunities to Crete, the alps, Iceland and Tanzania.

Campus life

During your stay, you will bunk with a roommate, and you will be living next door to more than hundreds of your future friends. All your meals are covered and served in the school’s dining room. Weekends are class-free, giving you the freedom to plan your activities, socialize, explore the surroundings, party, or reconnect with friends and family. It’s not just an education; it’s an adventure-filled chapter in your life.

Amazing surroundings

The Sønderborg Sports Folk High School has a fantastic location. The surroundings simply cannot be more beautiful. The sea, forest and city are right outside the door. The school’s 28-acre park connects the school buildings with the beach and the marina. And water invites you everyday – for sailing, surfing, kayaking or a refreshing dip.

Language Policy

Daily life at IHS is mainly conducted in Danish, as most students are Danish. That said, we always strive to include international students and support them throughout their stay.
If there is a large enough group of international participants, we can create international classes where we teach in English.

Do you wanna know more?

Sports Subjects

Below you can see the wide variety of subjects we offer. Hopefully you will find some that appeal to you. The subjects are offered at different times throughout the year, and changes in the selection may occur. During your first days after arrival, you’ll receive a more detailed presentation of the subjects, followed by subject selection. During a normal semester, you will have four different sports subjects.

You can either choose something familiar or try something completely new — the choice is yours. We do our best to offer you your first priority subject. However, we cannot guarantee this, as some subjects have limited places, the selection depends on the number of students, and the season also plays a role. Therefore, you will also choose a 2nd and 3rd priority.

Non-Sports Subjects

Further down you can see the variety of non-sports subjects we offer. Hopefully some of them will interest you. Subjects are offered at different times throughout the year. You will receive a detailed presentation when you arrive, and at that time you will choose the subjects you like. During a normal semester, you can try two subjects from each category. Choose something safe or try something new — the decision is yours.

We aim to fulfill everyone’s first priorities, but unfortunately we cannot guarantee it. Therefore, your 2nd and 3rd priorities are also important. The subjects and maximum capacity may change depending on the season and the number of students.

Want to know more?

Sports

• Sailing

• Adventure Sports

• Beach Volleyball

• Kitesurfing

• Windsurfing

• Water Sports & Swimming

• Racket Sports (Tennis, Padel & Badminton)

• Extreme Sports

• Yoga

• Volleyball

• Handball

• Football

• IHS 360 (a combination of different sports)

General Education

• Quality of Life

• Body Culture & Gender

• Our Nature

• Mental Strength & Personal Development

• Management Academy

• Politics in Focus

• Social Dynamics

• Film Club

• Culture Club

• Focus

Skills

• Knitting

• First Aid

• Mindfulness

• Band & Choir

• Board Games

• Navigation

• Cooking

• Outdoor Living

• Pottery & Ceramics

• Brewing Beer

Practical Information

At IHS you will receive meals, accommodation and teaching. See prices here.

We start a new course twice a year – in spring and autumn. Both courses are divided into periods, so you have the opportunity to choose several subjects during your stay. You can also choose to attend just one period.

(There is a repeat of the same information in Danish in the original text – here is the English version of that part as well:)
At IHS you receive meals, accommodation and teaching.
We start a new group twice a year – in spring and autumn.
Both stays are divided into periods, giving you the opportunity to choose several subjects during your stay. You can also choose to attend only one period.

Spring School // 24 weeks

1st period – 14 weeks: Indoor period + ski trip to the Alps 
2nd period – 10 weeks: Outdoor period
Mandatory elective trip + Optional add-on: Trip to Iceland (+ 1 week)

Autumn School // 21 weeks

1st period – 10 weeks: Outdoor period + trip to Crete
2nd period – 9 weeks: Indoor period
Optional add-on: Trip to Tanzania & Zanzibar (+ 2 weeks)

What do we do during the Indoor period?

Here we focus on indoor sports, and our outdoor activities are adapted as much as possible so they can be practiced indoors – with a special twist.

What do we do during the Outdoor period?

In addition to our own facilities for beach volleyball, football and various fitness classes, our location near the water and the forest offers unique opportunities for activities such as kitesurfing, windsurfing, adventure activities, mountain biking, sailing and many other sports.

What the two periods have in common

Alongside all sports subjects, we also offer a wide variety of formative and perspective-giving subjects that support your personal development and social skills.

IMPORTANT

We constantly develop our selection of subjects. The subjects listed on the website apply to the current stay. However, we reserve the right to make adjustments depending on class size and other practical conditions.