The school home - a safe home filled with experiences and community
A dormitory is something very special. It is not just a place to live if your own home is far away from where you go to school. The dormitory is also the opportunity to join a social community, and a place where you can develop both socially and academically while you are in education.
For many young people, the dormitory is the first step away from their childhood home. It is a transition that can be exciting, but also challenging. Fortunately, the dormitory at Techcollege is much more than just a place to sleep. It is a vibrant community where security, well-being and social communities are in focus.
Jesper, who is the educational coordinator at the school dormitory, is certain that the school dormitory can offer a very special setting for students at Techcollege. It is an educational initiative that extends across the entire educational process.
"The school dormitory is something very special. We work pedagogically with our students and create a framework for social interaction and a vibrant study environment," says Jesper.
A home away from home
The school dormitory is not just a solution to long transport times to school. For many students, it becomes a home where they can feel safe and find new communities. Jesper explains:
“For most students, it is not only the distance that matters. They want the boarding school to actually be a home for them. Living in a boarding school is therefore not only a practical solution, but also a state and a culture. The boarding school students are active co-creators of a common home for all of them.”
Jesper says that the school dormitory is aware that it will be a replacement for the home and local activities that the student knows from home. Therefore, the staff ensures that the student's stay is structured in a way that provides security and the best conditions for the student while they live at the school dormitory.
“The school dormitory forms the framework for the student's life for periods of up to 40 weeks (2x basic course). Therefore, the school dormitory's task is largely to create well-being for the individual by facilitating social activities and providing experiences and content in free time that require personal and social development.”
A warm welcome
For new students, it is important to feel welcome from day one. Here, Jesper explains that they particularly focus on the foundation students, as for many of them it is the first time they have moved away from home when they move into the school dormitory. Therefore, the school dormitory starts each semester with an introduction evening, where various activities help the students find new friends and relationships.
“It is often the first time that young people are away from their families. We therefore strive to create a safe space where new students can meet across education levels and form relationships.”
The evening typically ends with a concert or another great shared experience, which gives the students something to talk about and create memories around.
For new students, it is important to feel welcome from day one. Here, Jesper explains that they particularly focus on the foundation students, as for many of them it is the first time they have moved away from home when they move into the school dormitory. Therefore, the school dormitory starts each semester with an introduction evening, where various activities help the students find new friends and relationships.
“It is often the first time that young people are away from their families. We therefore strive to create a safe space where new students can meet across education levels and form relationships.”
The evening typically ends with a concert or another great shared experience, which gives the students something to talk about and create memories around.
Everyday community and social activities
Everyday life at the school dormitory is full of opportunities for social interaction. Activities are arranged every day – from creative workshops in the creative room to gaming in the specially designed gamer room or table football in the activity room. The fireplace room is the heart of the school dormitory, and this is where the students can gather for board games, PlayStation and good conversations.
“It's about offering something for everyone, so everyone can find something they're passionate about,” says Jesper.
That is why you will find many different offers at the school dormitory that cater to both larger and smaller communities, so there is something for everyone. As Jesper emphasizes, it is important for the school dormitory to create a meaningful stay for the students, and they can do this by constantly being aware of offering activities and initiatives that appeal to all interests and personalities.
The staff at the school home are also aware of including the local activities and offers offered in Aalborg, which is why trips to the swimming pool, bowling alley or other activities are arranged, for example. By using the city in this way, the students get to know their local area, and it creates a sense of belonging to their new residence at the school home. In addition, the students often take the initiative for their own activities, and Jesper can feel that this supports social life and community.
“Right now, for example, there is a group that plays Dungeon and Dragons in the Cave every week. It has arisen on its own initiative, with the students arranging all the practical things themselves, and it is fantastic to see them create their own communities that way.”
Safety and presence
For Jesper and the rest of the school home's staff, safety is one of the cornerstones of a good stay. If a student is having difficulty, there is always a staff member ready to help.
"It can be anything from a difficult conversation to an informal chat about everyday life. We are here to support the students - both when it's fun and when it's difficult," says Jesper.
The support from the committed staff at the homestay does not stop when the students step out of the homestay doors and head off towards their education. Jesper says that the homestay has a close collaboration with the various education programs to ensure that the student thrives on all fronts. This hands-on approach means that many students feel at home at the homestay, and experience a comprehensive process with accessible adults who are ready to help with both big and small things. An approach that Jesper is proud of.
“We make a lot of effort to create a framework that resembles a home, where you feel safe and cared for. For us, it is important that students thrive so that they can focus on their education and personal development.”
Experience the atmosphere yourself
Jesper also has no doubts if you ask him what his advice is for parents whose children are considering a stay at a boarding school - come and visit the boarding school and experience for yourself the opportunities a stay here offers.
“Almost everyone who sees the school dormitory and feels the atmosphere is positively surprised by the opportunities and community here,” says Jesper.
If you would like to know more about or have any questions about the dormitory at Techcollege, you can visit our website and read more. You can also contact one of the employees from the dormitory and explore the possibilities for a visit, so that you can learn more about how the dormitory creates the framework for a safe, developing and social stay for our students at Techcollege.
Jesper also has no doubts if you ask him what his advice is for parents whose children are considering a stay at a boarding school - come and visit the boarding school and experience for yourself the opportunities a stay here offers.
“Almost everyone who sees the school dormitory and feels the atmosphere is positively surprised by the opportunities and community here,” says Jesper.
If you would like to know more about or have any questions about the dormitory at Techcollege, you can visit our website and read more. You can also contact one of the employees from the dormitory and explore the possibilities for a visit, so that you can learn more about how the dormitory creates the framework for a safe, developing and social stay for our students at Techcollege.