After years of bullying and broken school experiences, Sara felt like education wasn’t for her. She explains, “I was angry, lost and felt like school was a place where I’d always fail.” Dropping out of high school seemed like the only option.

For years, Sara drifted between odd jobs, unsure of her future. Then, someone in her small town mentioned the general course at a nearby folk high school. Skeptical but desperate for a fresh start, she decided to apply.

From the moment she stepped into the classroom, Sara realized this wasn’t like the schools she had left behind. “There were no grades, no competition — it wasn’t about who was the best. It was about finding your own way,” she says.

Science had always been her weakest subject. “I never understood chemistry or formulas, no matter how hard I tried,” Sara remembers. “But at the folk high school, my teacher explained things in a way that finally made sense.” For the first time, she began to feel capable and engaged in her studies.

But what stood out most to Sara was the sense of belonging. “For the first time, I didn’t feel judged,” she shares. “The teachers believed in me, and that made me believe in myself.”

By the end of her first year, Sara had completed her high school qualifications and, with encouragement from her teachers, took the university entrance exam. Today, she’s studying law and living in northern Sweden with her partner and dog.

Reflecting on her journey, Sara often recalls a quote she discovered during her time at the folk high school: “The greatest glory lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” For Sara, the general course wasn’t just a second chance — it was the foundation for a life rebuilt with hope, resilience and purpose.