The first “Efterskole”-s were founded about 150 years ago. The schools were closely related to the Danish Folk High School and the educational ideas of the Dane, N.F.S. Grundtvig (1789-1872), who wanted schools to provide enlightenment for life rather than formal vocational training. The “Efterskole” is a unique Danish residential school, where students from the ages of 14 to 18 can choose to spend one, two or three years to finish their primary education. Each Efterskole is a self-governing independent institution and they all deal with both the educational and personal development of the students. They embrace a common educational focus on enlightenment for life, general education and democratic citizenship.

One of the things unique to the “Efterskole” is the teacher-student relationship. The teacher is responsible for both teaching and supervision outside of school hours. This means that teachers and students are together all day from the time the students wake up until they go to bed. This often engenders a close, personal and non-formal relationship between students and teachers.

MUSE wishes to create an international atmosphere at the school, for the students to gain intercultural competences. Most “Efterskole”-s offer the same subjects and final examinations as the public schools, but many focus on special subjects like physical education, music or theatre, or offer various kinds of special education. MUSE focuses on music and singing, and these are the main activities at the school.

The school also travels once a year to another European country and the volunteer can take part in this travel if he/she wants.

• Is 22 years or older.
• Has good English skills.
• Preferably has basic German skills, as German is also teached at the school.
• Is open-minded and has an outgoing personality.
• Wants to teach young people.
• Is flexible, because teaching, at a Danish Efterskole, not always means following a tight schedule.
• Preferably plays an instrument – like the guitar.
• Enjoys singing as well as the music. Singing is the main activity at MUSE.

The school is situated in the most southern part of Denmark in a rural area. The nearest biggest city is Aabenraa, and there is only 17 km to the German border and the ‘gateway’ to Europe.

The volunteer will live in an apartment at the school. He/she will dinner together with the students on a daily basis in the dining hall.

Please fill out the project priority list with a motivated statement, based on your competences and skills, if you wish to be a volunteer at MUSE in Denmark.