Friluftsliv in higher education: Resilience, sustainability and intercultural learning in a European context

Friluftsliv, a Norwegian tradition of immersion in nature, has been celebrated as both cultural heritage and pedagogy. This study explores whether its values—resilience, ecological awareness, and social cohesion—can transcend their Nordic origins and be meaningfully integrated into other educational contexts. Within a European Union–funded Blended Intensive Program, sixty university students from five countries participated in a four-day hiking experience in the Norwegian mountains, complemented by theoretical sessions on friluftsliv and future preparedness. Using a qualitative descriptive–analytical approach based on open-ended questionnaires, the research examined students’ reflections on personal development, environmental awareness, resilience, intercultural interaction, and professional application. Results show that participants, regardless of prior outdoor experience, reported self-discovery, strengthened resilience, heightened ecological concern, and enriched intercultural learning. Many described the experience as transformative, a “game-changer” for both their personal lives and future teaching practice. Findings suggest that friluftsliv can serve as a transferable pedagogical framework in higher education, fostering adaptability and environmental stewardship in an uncertain world. • Friluftsliv fosters student well-being, resilience, and self-discovery. • Outdoor challenges enhance intercultural learning and cooperation. • Nature immersion strengthens environmental awareness and action. • Students intend to apply friluftsliv in future teaching practice. • Friluftsliv offers a model for sustainability and experiential education.