Within the framework of Nordic pedagogy, investigate education and care, analyzing the discourse surrounding quality of life for children. Explore the pros and cons of free play, relationships to caregivers and peers in the welfare state, school readiness versus social pedagogy, and children’s exploration of nature in practicum, Study Tour, and on Field Studies.
Bring appropriate clothing and footwear to stay warm and dry during the Study Tour in potential subzero temperatures.
Join the 3-credit Child Development and Education in Scandinavia Practicum course to embed within a local school and put theories into practice. The practicum will help you immerse yourself in a local workplace, gain practical teaching experience, and engage directly with Danish pedagogy.
You only take one Core Course per semester, and each Core Course includes two Study Tours: one Short Study Tour to a nearby destination for three days, and one Long Study Tour to another European country for six days.
Led by your faculty, Study Tours take you into real-world settings where you will apply what you’ve learned outside the classroom.
Ph.D (Education, University of Barcelona, 2022). Data analyst, Regional adm., 2007-2009. Project coordinador, Government of Catalonia, 2013-2018. Associate lecturer, University of Barcelona, 2014-2017. Teacher, Professionshøjskolen Absalon, 2023-2024. Spanish teacher, Køge Gymnasium, 2024-2025. With DIS since 2025.
Jennifer Duncan-Bendix
M.Ed. (Daycare and Primary School, Aarhus University, 2014). B.A. (Human Development and Family Studies – Early Childhood Development and Education, University of Connecticut, 2006). Assistant Program Director of Child Development and Diversity, DIS, 2014-2021. Pedagogue in the International and Danish communities in Copenhagen, 2008-2010. Interests include cross-cultural practices, discourses, and research related to how we create active and caring environments for young children. With DIS since 2007.
Nanna Duchene
Master of Arts (Cand.) in Philosophy of Education 2012 from Aarhus University Denmark. Associate Professor at University College South within disciplines: Philosophy of Education, Teaching Theory and Children with special needs. Several years of experience as Editor of Journals on Education. With DIS since 2021.
Malene Thorup
Master of Arts (Educational Psychology, Aarhus University, 2023). Projectleader and Pedagogical consultant, Strandvejsskolen (2023-present). Københavns Kommune Strandvejsskolen, Elementary School Teacher (January 2011-September 2021). AKT counselor with Behavior, Contact, and Well-being (July 2020-September 2021). Christiansborg Palace Administration, Cultural Educator in the Representative Rooms at Christiansborg and themed tours (2007-2011). With DIS since 2023.
Long Study Tour
About this tour
How does rough landscape, ancient storytelling traditions, and cultural history shape a nation’s approach to childhood and education? This week-long Study Tour to Iceland investigates how the country’s education system is shaped by its dramatic geography, rich storytelling traditions, and deep connection to nature, and how it contributes to children’s development, learning and sense of identity and belonging.
While Iceland is our main focus, the tour also encourages reflection on how other former Danish territories such as Island, the Faroe Islands and Greenland have approached education in different ways. Iceland emphasizes locally rooted place-based knowledge alongside global perspectives, whereas the Faroe Islands have focused on strengthening national identity and the Faroese language. Greenland, in contrast, continues to face ongoing political and organizational challenges in aligning its education system with local culture and community priorities. Comparing these approaches provides a framework for thinking about how education can respond to culture, history, and identity in different historical and cultural contexts after Danish colonial rule.
By integrating research, theory, and classroom practice, this tour offers an immersive experience where ideas from readings about Nordic child development and education meet real-world observation. Visits to schools, cultural sites, and Iceland’s extraordinary landscapes will allow students to see first-hand how storytelling, heritage, and place come together to shape children’s learning, development, and sense of identity.
Learning outcomes
Analyze how Icelandic education integrates place-based learning and the relationship between nature, landscape, and childhood
Explore the influence of the Icelandic sagas and storytelling traditions on contemporary ideas about learning, culture, and identity
Examine how Iceland balances local educational traditions with broader goals such as critical thinking and global citizenship
Compare the distinct approaches of Iceland, the Faroe Islands, and Greenland in shaping education systems in relation to culture, language, and their historical ties to Denmark
Possible activities
Observe how Icelandic preschools and schools integrate nature, outdoor environments, and local landscapes into daily practice, and how cultural narratives shape pedagogy
Engage with Icelandic educators and researchers to discuss the interplay of culture, language, and storytelling in educational approaches and conceptions of childhood
Explore Iceland’s literary heritage through visits to historical and cultural sites, examining the role of the sagas and storytelling in shaping national identity and educational values
Experience Iceland’s unique environment firsthand through outdoor tours, fostering a deeper understanding of why nature and place are central to Icelandic culture, identity, and educational philosophy
About this tour
On this week-long Study Tour to Finland, we will explore why the country so regularly ranks the top of international education rankings and you will broaden your understanding of the ‘Nordic perspective’ on child development and education. Visits will provide you with a forum to discuss and debate cultural differences within ‘best practice’ and encourage you to explore the historical, economic, and social background factors that influence the ways we work with children.
The vision for this tour is to investigate the Finish education system which is continuously – not only in Denmark, but also worldwide – viewed as one of the world’s best educational systems. We will explore first-hand what professionals do to meet the needs of children and families. The goal is to become inspired by pedagogical tools and interventions, and hypothesize possible explanations for what factors make a difference for low achievement, social inequality, and educational policies. By combining research, policy, and practice, we will begin to uncover the foundations of the Finnish system in order to apply this knowledge to experiences in Denmark and the United States.
By treating visits as individual case studies, the tour is also supplemented with cultural visits to help integrate theories presented in classroom with observations and reflections, and set the stage for an extended study of Finnish education.
Learning outcomes
Explore why Finland has such a long history of high student achievement in comparative studies like ‘PISA,’ even in relation to other Scandinavian countries
Investigate factors that contribute to how the Finnish teacher training program is viewed within the greater society, and what makes admission there so competitive
Analyze the Finnish context for children through visits to cultural, educational, and historical sites
Possible activities
Visit with policy makers and local authorities to explore how they view and support education from a political perspective
Take extended visits at Finnish public schools and children’s institutions to gain insight into the routines of these programs
Meet with faculty at teacher training programs to learn more about the experience and requirements to become a teacher in Finland
Short Study Tour
About this tour
Core Course Week, including the short Study Tour, provides you with the opportunity to explore the field of early and elementary education in Denmark, and will form an integral part of the Child Development in Scandinavia curriculum.
The week is designed to introduce you to various elements of Danish pedagogy and educational philosophy, and help you develop skills and tools to compare these experiences to both your core course and practicum experiences. As you further your understanding of the Danish education system, you will be able to identify which approaches are unique to this small country and what concepts are more universally adapted.
By visiting childcare institutions and meeting with educational and psychological consultants, you will gain insight into ‘educare’ practices in Danish childrens’ institutions. You will examine the Nordic interpretation of care, learning, and curriculum planning in childcare organizations and institutions. Through these visits you will gain first-hand knowledge of the Danish perspective on child development, which will help you form a foundation for comparing the Danish, Finnish, and American approaches.
In addition, the study tour program is supplemented by cultural visits to help you learn more about Danish history and culture, and give you a more well-rounded understanding of the communities in which you are studying. In the past, cultural visits have included touring museums, visiting historical sites, and enjoying traditional Danish food.
Learning outcomes
Gain an introductory understanding of Danish pedagogy in child care organizations and institutions
Hypothesize connections between your experiences at your practicum site, and the programs and approaches you have observed
Investigate the challenges faced by practitioners working with children and families (politically, socially, and practically)
Possible activities
Visit both typical and specialized child care institutions to learn about how these communities approach planning and programming for young children
Presentations by practitioners within Danish municipalities to discuss the variety of programs available to children ages 0-10 years old
Meet with community-based organizations that offer public services and activities to families
