“GATEAKADEMIET: Springboard or A Parachute”

“GATEAKADEMIET: Springboard or A Parachute”

“Life sometimes asks for springboard or a parachute.”

A springboard to push you forward when you feel like you have been stuck in certain point in your life or you don't have any strength or motivations to move forward.

Or you might need a parachute to just to relax and let your life slowly move forward, this might be very helpful for those who have been doing too much in their life or have a lot of expectation they feel like they need to fulfill in their life.

The above two metaphor which exactly explains the students you meet at Gateakademiet and which is a place that can be both springboard or parachute for them depending upon what they need.

This can be traced back to 1998 when the group of youths in the city of Kristiansand came together to form a theater group called UGRESS. These were the same people who were trouble maker of the city and they needed a place to be and Ugress was that place for them. Most of the youths in this group also has a problem of weed and alcohol. This became their place to start something new. This group soon got attention from Kristiansand municipality who after about a year, after the formation of Ugress, brought it under it wings. The municipality also employed more people to this group who would teach these youths about theater and arts and all. Then a free organization, Ugress was directly linked to culture director in Kristiansand municipality.

On 2000 the name Ugress was changed into Gateakademiet. On 2004 Gateakademiet became part of Samsen kulturhus. Since then, Gateakademiet has been operating under Samsen Kulturhus.

Now Gateakademiet has been a springboard and parachute for many students. The students cannot be attended by normal students. Almost all the students that attended Gateakademiet, or those who are attending it now, has the history of bullying in school or in job. The students are also exclusion of society who find it difficult to be part of this society. These students are in marginalized position in this society.

Those who start at the Gate Academy are usually young people of 18-19 years old, as many boys as girls. The similarities are that they have school problems or that they are struggling with social anxiety or are depressed. When they come to Gateakademiet they want a break to decide if they want to try working, study while they go to the Gateakademiet or go back to school.

Most of the students here are special dealing with problems inside of them which might be social, financial, physical or cultural. Some of the examples of the students might be the student from a rich family with too much expectation from his parents or people around him which lead him to depression and anxiety. Other might be from a family that is struggling economically also from child welfare or those who might have an history of drinking or sexual abuse or addiction. Anyway whatever might be the problem, Gateakademiet is a springboard or parachute for them.

Dropouts from high school also attend Gateakademiet. Since Norwegian government wishes all the student to go through high school and also have some plans in high school for those students who have problem in high school and who are most likely to drop out. After trying everything to stay at school there still are some students who dropout and Gateakademiet is there to let those students in.

The main goal is not just to be springboard or parachute for them but is also to mentally prepare them to go back to school or their jobs.

At Gateakademiet, students can learn either music or arts or photography depending upon their interest. But giving them this knowledge is why Gateakademiet is there. The main purpose is to be a safe place for these students and help he/she gain his/her self-confident back.

The Gateakademiet is usually based on individual. In every season one staff will have six students at most. The advantage of this is the students gets more attention from staff. The students will also be able to find that safe place here where he/she can be himself or herself. Also focuses on students forming good relationship with the staffs who will be there and walk with them through rest of their lives. Rather than just showing them the way ahead, Gateakademiet focuses on walking together with the students in rest of their journey.

Gateakademiet has been successful so far. In last five years around 150 students have been part of this program. 60% of our students who attend Gateakademiet return to secondary school, 10% start university and 30% find a job.

Coming from the developing country like Nepal and seeing what government here come together with the city and its people to make sure their youths get all the help they need was very impressive. I am very grateful to be able to be part of this program. It also inspires me to see people with new perspectives and do more for all those going through problems like mental health, addiction and violence.

To all those who are going through some difficulties, I would like to tell them to not lose their hope and find a place like Gateakademiet where they are always welcome and always have someone for them.
I would also like to encourage you all to come around people like them and help them the way you can.

For more information about Gateakademiet and other youth activities at Samsen kulturhus you can visit www.samsen.com