Nordic Backcountry Skiing and Outdoor Leadership
Bø - Full time
Outdoor studies plays a central role in the Norwegian culture. If you want to learn and practice Norwegian “friluftsliv” during the wintertime and spring this study is meant for you. You will be introduced to backcountry and cross-country skiing, camping during the wintertime and sea kayaking during the spring.
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Apply from: 01. Sep 2024
Study facts
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Campus: Bø -
Study level: Exchange programmes, bachelor level -
Progression of study: Full time -
Start up: Spring 2025 -
Teaching model: Campus -
Credits: 30 -
Charge: No tuition fee. -
Closing dates: 15.10.2024 -
Semesters: 1 -
Teaching Language: English
Why study Nordic Backcountry Skiing and Outdoor Leadership?
Through excursions into nature during winter and spring combined with theoretical lectures students will gain practical and theoretical knowledge needed in nature guiding, nature management and outdoor leadership. Students will go on extended excursions in the winter forest and mountains. During the springtime, students will go sea kayaking at the archipelago of Southern Norway.
There are approximately 30 overnight excursions and several day excursions, and students will spend nights in tents, snow caves, huts and under the open sky.
What you will learn
The study program consists of various courses making up a total of 30 ECTS. During the courses students will learn about the history and cultural tradition rooted in backcountry skiing. Throughout the semester, the students will spend approximately 40 teaching days outdoor with different activities in focus. The main topics are backcountry skiing, snow camping, Nordic skiing, cultural excursions and sea kayaking. The study combines theory and practice throughout the program and the practical teaching method is a mix of instruction and experiential learning. This will provide students with theoretical knowledge as well as practical experience required for trip planning in accordance to one’s ability and safety in the wintertime. After the semester, students will be able to lead smaller groups on ski trips in an easy winter environment with overnight stays.
Why study at USN
University of South-Eastern Norway, campus Bø, is located with spectacular nature all around. The student environment is excellent and the small size of USN allows for a close contact between students and professors.
Further study opportunities
Students who would like to do a full year study can combine this study with Outdoor Life, Culture and Ecophilosophy, which is available in the autumn semester.
Study Plan
A study plan describes the content, structure and organization of a study programme. To each study plan there is a set of subject plans that describe the different subjects. In the subject plan you will also find a reading list. Below you will find a study model that shows you which subjects that are taught each term. In the study model you'll also find links to each subject plan.
Latest published study plan for nordic backcountry skiing and outdoor leadership
Admission requirements
The programme is open to international exchange students studying at one of USN's bilateral partner institutions. Exchange students at the bachelor-level must have completed at least 60 ECTS or equivalent within the relevant study field, and be officially nominated by their home university in order to apply. Admission to the programme requires a good command of the English language, both spoken and written. An English proficiency equivalent to B2 (Cambridge) level is recommended.
This program is designed for international exchange students with a minimum of one year of higher education in sport science or equivalent studies. The student must be physically fit, have some skiing experience and be able to swim for the sea kayaking. Application is through the partner institution.
In addition to the required documents, all applicants to this program should upload a letter of motivation explaining the interest in the programme and also highlight other outdoor experience not covered in the academic transcripts. This should be approximately one page in length.
The students are expected to bring/get their own personal equipment for the excursions (sleeping bag, backcountry skis, ski boots, backpack, clothing etc. – a more thorough equipment list will be provided when a student signs up for the course). The student should expect some extra expenses for equipment, transportation, excursions and overnight stays at huts.
