CHANGING THE WORLD: TRAINEE BY TRAINEE
Running since 1986, Nordic Folkecenter’s trainee program has formed generations of renewable energy experts all over the world. Hundreds of engineers, scientists and students have visited Nordic Folkecenter for different periods, all with one goal: give their contribution for the development of a modern and sustainable society
On this page we’ve tried to gather all the information you need prior to applying for a internship at Nordic Folkecenter.
INDEX OF THE PAGE
Click the pictures to go to the subject.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
MUCH MORE
FACILITIES AVALIBLE
WE EXPECT …
HOW TO APPLY
TRAINEE CONTRACT
DIRECTION/
TRANSPORT
MEET THE TRAINEES
PROJECT IDEAS
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
The aim of the trainee program is to provide you knowledge about a variety of aspects within renewable energies, both from the technical and the socio-economic profile. The program is developed around you, meaning that it is an individual process which is carried out in cooperation. We help you define the path and can also provide suggestions on which projects to be undertaken, but self-initiative is highly appreciated. In the event that you already has a specific interest or topic to focus on, you can mention it when applying for the position. The request will be evaluated and can undergo some modifications, as a discussion between the coordinator and you.
It is possible to focus on most of the renewable energy fields. The philosophy is to learn by doing, so you have the chance to make your experiments on real-life installations and technologies. Alternatively, desk researches can also be carried out, thanks to the large availability of relevant scientific material present at Nordic Folkecenter.
Researches and experiments are carried out in project form: you will be supervised by experienced people during the process, who will assist you in your path towards renewable energy knowledge. However, you should not expect a constant presence of the supervisor.
During your stay at Nordic Folkecenter, you will take part in excursions to renewable energy installations located in Denmark and there will also be participation in conferences and events. In some occasions, you might be requested to present your work/project at events, which will be an important feature for the personal curriculum.
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MORE THAN JUST STUDIES
Studying is not the only activity you will undergo at Nordic Folkecenter. We like to believe that our program is not only forming people knowledge-wise, but that it is also a training for life: all the people who visit us remember the experience for life and they will radically change their way of seeing energy and living with the others.
We have through the years hosted people from all over the world. Multiculturality is a key word at Nordic Folkecenter, and a requirement at the same time; when planning to spend a period here, you will need to take into account that you will meet, work and live with people of different genders, ideas, religions and cultural backgrounds. After a period here, you will not talk anymore about “foreigners”, but about “family”.
As it can be seen from the map, Nordic Folkecenter is located in the countryside, therefore you should not expect a nightlife as in big cities. Don’t worry though! Bike trips, dancing and singing evenings, road trips or just visits to the nearby cities will enrich your and your fellow trainees experience and will make you become part of Nordic Folkecenter’s big family.
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FACILITIES AT AND NEARBY NORDIC FOLKECENTER
ACCOMMODATION
You will be accommodated in Nordic Folkecenter’s facilities for the entire duration of your stay. You will have your own room and share the other facilities (kitchen, bathrooms, etc.). The room is fully equipped including bedlinen and a towel. Cleaning of the bathrooms will be done weekly, on a rotational basis, meaning that each trainee will have a turn.
The monthly rent is 1500 DKK, which is paid at the end of the month. It is possible to pay the amount by bank transfer, mobile pay or cash. Please note that it is not possible to pay with credit/debit cards.
FREE TIME
Wi-fi is available throughout the building and a proper behaviour regarding that is expected.
Nordic Folkecenter is equipped with a library, with books and magazines in different languages, where also the TV and a static bike can be found. Some music instruments are also available
The location of Nordic Folkecenter makes it ideal for outdoor sports: runners and cyclists will find many nice routes. The Limfjord is close and it does not take more than 15 minutes by foot to reach it. The proximity to the North Sea and to the THY National Park make it ideal for those interested in surfing (Cold Hawaii) or walking in the nature.
LAUNDRY
Laundry’s facilities are shared among all the people living at Nordic Folkecenter. There are normally no problems with overlapping, but if that is the situation a washing schedule will be organized. The washing machine works with coins, which can be purchased at for 1 DKK each.
KITCHEN
Kitchen facilities and tools are shared among all the people living at Nordic Folkecenter. It is requested that you pay 65 Dkk/day for board. Food is paid only based on the days you eat at Nordic Folkecenter. It is your responsibility to keep account of days, which will need to be communicated to the staff when paying. Payment is done the same day as the payment for accommodation, and only cash is accepted. This policy is due to the fact that the money goes in a common box, which is used when shopping.
Breakfast and lunch are “self-service”, so you decides what to eat and prepare it yourself. Dinner is in common (normally around 19.00) and, to keep the price to an acceptable level, it is requested of the trainees take turns in cooking: every day one (or more) persons will cook for all the others. National specialties are highly appreciated.
NEARBY
Although located in the countryside, many shops are available in the surroundings of Nordic Folkecenter. The nearest city is at 8 km (Hurup Thy) and has supermarkets, hairdressers, withdrawing machines, a pharmacy, a swimming pool and medical facilities (only during day hours). This means that 90% of the needs can be satisfied with local shopping; for the remaining 10%, the trainee will need to travel to larger cities.
CARS
Trainees are welcome to bring their own car (please, check the regulations with the authorities), but some vehicles are also available at Nordic Folkecenter. The cars can be used both for private and work trips. Private trips are charged 1 Dkk/km. Please, check that your driving licence is valid for driving in Denmark (sometimes non-european citizens can have limitations in driving).
BIKES
There is a number of bikes, both electric and normal, which can be used. You will be introduced on how to use the electric models (and how to take care of them) upon your arrival.
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OUR EXPECTATIONS
It is crucial that you are open-minded and willing to learn from the interaction with different people and cultures. Furthermore, it is expected that you help the staff in carrying out also tasks which might be not directly related with the selected research topic. We are a small team running an organization known worldwide, so everyone should be able to help in the best way possible.
Office hours are complying to the Danish standards: 08.00 – 16.00 from Mondays to Thursdays and 08.00 – 13.00 on Fridays. The total amount of weekly hours is 37.
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APPLICATION PROCEDURE
WHO CAN APPLY?
Everyone is welcome at Nordic Folkecenter! Whether you are a student or an experienced professional, there will always be good willingness to welcome you.
HOW TO APPLY?
The trainee programme runs all over the year, so you can select the preferred period, provided that there is availability of rooms.
To apply, please send an e-mail to the coordinator Daniele Pagani (dp@folkecenter.dk) with
- A signed copy of the trainee contract
- Your CV
- A cover letter, where you:
- Explain why you want to be a trainee at Nordic Folkecenter
- The period of time you want to stay
- What you want to focus on/your interest within the field of renewable energies
Once your application is approved, we can help you with the relevant documents (invitation letter, learning agreements, etc.). Please, be aware that no help will be provided before the trainee contract is signed.
For any further questions you might have, you are always welcome to contact the coordinator, Daniele Pagani (dp@folkecenter.dk).
IMPORTANT!
SEND YOUR APPLICATION AND OTHER REQUESTED MATERIALS TO
DP@FOLKECENTER.DK
Should you not get an answer within 2 weeks, send the mail again.
CONTRACT
Before contacting us, we kindly ask you to carefully read the contract. Once read, sign it and send it to the e-mail adress above.
The contract can be found below. Adobe reader or similar PDF readers are required to view the file.
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DIRECTIONS
BY CAR
Regardless of the origin of your trip, you would need to approach to Thisted or to Struer, and then follow road A11 down or up to Ydby. Nordic Folkecenter is outside the main road, but there are indication on where to turn (distance from the main road: less than 1 km).
In case you have a GPS, you can insert the following coordinates:
56°41’38.6″N 8°24’49.9″E
BY TRAIN
Every hour Intercity trains with travelling time of 4½ hours depart from Copenhagen Airport (CPH), and Copenhagen Central station to Struer, 30 km from Nordic Folkecenter with transfer to Ydby (2 km from Nordic Folkecenter).
Twice a day Intercity trains (ICL) depart from Copenhagen Airport to Thisted. All DSB trains stop in Ydby, but if you are travelling with Arriva trains, please remember to press STOP when approaching the station YDBY (previous stop: Lyngs). The train will not stop unless the station is booked.
Train tickets can be purchased from DSB in the airport arrival hall or online. In case of the second option, please, remember to print your ticket (or have it in digital version on your smartphone/tablet). The destination of your ticket should be YDBY.
In Copenhagen airport trains depart right below the ticket sales outlet. We will pick you up at Ydby railway station upon arrival. Call us at +45 9795 6600 (office hours) for organizing the pick-up.
Be aware that some trains split in Vejle. Take the train in the direction of Struer or Thisted. For train schedules you can check:
- German Railways, DB (www.bahn.de)
- Danish Railways, DSB (www.dsb.dk)
- The local train company, Arriva (https://arriva.dk/)
- The Danish trip planner, Rejseplanen (www.rejseplanen.dk)
BY AIR
The nearest international airports are Aalborg and Billund, while the nearest domestic airport is Karup.
BY BUS
When travelling from Copenhagen, there is also the possibility to use a bus (up to Holstebro. From there you will need to continue with the train). Please, visit flixbus.dk for more info.
