From June 11 to 13, colleagues from CNS and Driestar Educatief traveled to NLA University College in Bergen, Norway. During this visit, we had the opportunity to experience the Norwegian education system up close, with particular attention to themes such as student support, professional collaboration, educational culture, and inclusive education in a broad sense.
We visited a primary school, spoke with lecturers and researchers from NLA, and exchanged experiences on topics such as social safety, the influence of context and home situation on learning, support for gifted students, and the role of teaching assistants or ad-peppers in the classroom. This exchange provided valuable insights that we will take with us into our own work.
What struck us was the broad perspective on education: learning happens in community, education prepares children for life, and student well-being flows from well-designed and thoughtful education. The use of music, nature, and practical activities proved to be not just an add-on but a deliberate way to foster connection, motivation, and development. Outdoor learning—come rain or shine—is an integral part of the curriculum. This challenges us to reconsider our own curriculum as well.
Furthermore, we noticed the strong emphasis in Norway on collaboration: co-teaching, joint planning, and shared responsibility are natural parts of the professional culture. Inclusion is not seen as the task of one teacher alone but as a shared responsibility among the team, parents, and the wider community. At the same time, we recognize similar challenges in both countries: diverse classrooms, behavioral issues, and limits to what is possible.
The conversations also raised important questions: how can we truly be inclusive without always having sufficient capacity? How do we keep education simple and manageable in an increasingly complex world? And how can we use our own resources wisely?
Finally, we were impressed by the openness to reflection, the honest discussions with our Norwegian colleagues, and the awareness of what we are also fortunate to have in the Netherlands. We return home with new perspectives, inspiration, and appreciation for our own context.
This enriching experience was made possible through the support of Erasmus+, which enables international collaboration and professional development. Through this program, we were able to engage in meaningful exchanges, broaden our perspectives, and strengthen our commitment to high-quality, values-driven education. We are grateful for this opportunity and look forward to building on these international connections in the future!
