Graduate Stories
The next generation of changemakers are here. See what they say, and where do they work after DNS.
Meet the Graduates
Gabrielė – Teacher in a Forest School in Lithuania
“After graduating from DNS at the beginning of September 2023, moving back to Lithuania, and starting to work in Kardokai Nature Academy. I am still surprised almost every day by how much of the knowledge and skills gained by being part of DNS I can apply in my daily life. Studying alternative pedagogy within the DNS community has been transformative. Learning firsthand about the centrality of students in the learning-teaching process, the interconnectedness of our world, and the importance of democratic principles in education has profoundly shaped my approach to my work.”
Jenifer - Teacher at DNS
“Through the DNS programme, I’ve gained invaluable pedagogical skills that empowered me as a teacher. My role extends beyond academics—I support teams in their studies, experiences, and personal growth. DNS provided a unique opportunity to develop creativity, critical thinking, and collective skills, which I have to use every day now. As a teacher, I’m now connected to the global community, understanding their struggles and dreams. This is my way of creating positive change from the grassroots level.”
Louisa – Project Manager in a Policy
Incubator
“Having graduated from DNS three years ago, the DNS pedagogical principles, the valuable experiences with the team, and the philosophy of DNS continue to serve as the foundation for my current personal and professional activities. As I reflect on this chore experience of my life, I am optimistic that, through collective understanding of how the world operates, we can actively contribute to transformative change. My commitment remains in creating bridges between learning and practice, and fostering educational experiences that transcend age or the conventional setting.”
Listen to what they have to say about DNS
Gabrièle – Forest school teacher
Tuuliki – Teacher at DNS
Xenia – Teacher in an alternative school
Sergey – Community Leader in Liepāja
Louisa – Development Project Leader
Hendrik – Sports Pedagogue in Schools
Pavel – Leader in a Care Home
Ausrine – NGO Worker
Merete – Accountant
Graduate Stories
The next generation of changemakers are here. See what they say, and where do they work after DNS.
More about our graduates…
Egle from Lithuania
Chief Specialist at Information Society Development Commitee
“The experiences I gained at DNS brought me to understand that education must empower us to lead our own life, develop social connections and lift people up and bring them together. It must minimize the chances of being manipulated or becoming an actor in someone else’s play. It must produce self-aware and self-motivated humans.”
Elo from Estonia
Social Educator
“I constantly use the things I learned at DNS. The studies are really political, so it gives a much better perspective of how the world works and brings you much closer to what we should teach the kids in school”
Milo from Italy
Works with second hand clothes
“DNS taught me that a teacher is not just a conveyer of knowledge, being a teacher means supporting people to learn, to grow and constantly challenge yourself and others. I use this lesson every day regardless if I am in classroom”
Louise from Denmark
Works as a leader in a Care Home institution
“At DNS I learned how to bring my ideas and visions to life – both as an individual and as part of a community. I don’t think about WHAT is possible, but HOW I can make it possible. It’s just one of the things DNS taught me, but it is one of the skills that really define my life.”
Nadežda from Lithuania
Teacher in a traveling school in Lithuania
“I see it as a gigantic, out of proportion, responsible and scary task and I love it! I love to be confident in the era of self-doubt, to struggle with by-products of “system education”, to fight for progress, to seek alternatives, to transform my worldview through every single step on the way. Believe me, it is a restless life – to be a rebel teacher”
Marina from Spain
Teacher in Catalonia, Spain
“When I was about to graduate I was confused, some wondered if I did not know what to do because there were no options, I had to explain that I did not know because I could think at least of 1000 options I could go for and I knew all of them were real options.”
Did you know…
Most of our graduates find jobs in education or doing environmental work.
DNS is an education that has been running for over 50 years, adding up to more than 1200 graduates who have played an essential role in bringing quality education to the world.
Years of experience
Graduates
What comes after DNS?
Teacher in indepentent, mainstream or international schools
Social educator or youth worker
Coordinators and facilitators for international organizations
Project leaders in education, sustainability, or food security projects
Principals and teachers at teacher training programmes around the world.
It’s worth mentioning that there is a great diversity in what people do after DNS besides becoming teachers.
If you're interested in joining us or simply want to get your questions answered, book a commitment-free consultation with someone from our communication team!
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Check out our stories, and get a feeling of daily life at DNS.
Meet the graduates
Gabrielė – Teacher in a Forest School in Lithuania
“After graduating from DNS at the beginning of September 2023, moving back to Lithuania, and starting to work in Kardokai Nature Academy, I am still surprised almost every day by how much of the knowledge and skills gained by being part of DNS I can apply in my daily life.”
Louisa – Project manager in a Policy incubator
“Having graduated from DNS three years ago, the DNS pedagogical principles, the valuable experiences with the team, and the philosophy of DNS continue to serve as the foundation for my current personal and professional activities. As I reflect on this core experience of my life, I am optimistic that, through collective understanding of how the world operates, we can actively contribute to transformative change. My commitment remains in creating bridges between learning and practice, and fostering educational experiences that transcend age or the conventional setting.”
Jenifer - Teacher at DNS
“Through the DNS programme, I’ve gained invaluable pedagogical skills that empowered me as a teacher. My role extends beyond academics—I support teams in their studies, experiences, and personal growth. DNS provided a unique opportunity to develop creativity, critical thinking, and collective skills, which I have to use every day now. As a teacher, I’m now connected to the global community, understanding their struggles and dreams. This is my way of creating positive change from the grassroots level.”
Listen to what they have to say about DNS
Gabrièle – Forest school teacher
Tuuliki – Teacher at DNS
Xenia – Teacher in an alternative school
Sergey – Community Leader in Liepāja
Louisa – Development Project Leader
Hendrik – Sports Pedagogue in Schools
Pavel – Leader in a Care Home
Ausrine – NGO Worker
Merete – Accountant
Did you know…
Most of our graduates find jobs in education or environmental work.
DNS is an education that has been running for over 50 years, adding up to more than 1200 graduates who have played an essential role in bringing quality education to the world.
Years of experience
Graduates
What comes after DNS?
Teacher in indepentent, mainstream or international schools
Social educator or youth worker
Coordinators and facilitators for international organizations
Project leaders in education, sustainability, or food security projects
Principals and teachers at teacher training programmes around the world.
There is a great diversity in what people do after DNS besides becoming teachers.
Learn more from...
Milo from Italy
Works with Second hand clothes
“DNS taught me that a teacher is not just a conveyer of knowledge, being a teacher means supporting people to learn, to grow and constantly challenge yourself and others. I use this lesson every day regardless if I am in classroom”
Egle from Lithuania
Chief Specialist at Information Society Development Commitee
“The experiences I gained at DNS brought me to understand that education must empower us to lead our own life, develop social connections and lift people up and bring them together. It must minimize the chances of being manipulated or becoming an actor in someone else’s play. It must produce self-aware and self-motivated humans, not anxiety-riddled worker bees awaiting their next orders”
Elo from Estonia
Works as a Social Educator
“I constantly use the things I learned at DNS. The studies are really political, so it gives a much better perspective of how the world works and brings you much closer to what we should teach the kids in school”
Louise from Denmark
Works as a leader of a Care Home institution
“At DNS I learned how to bring my ideas and visions to life – both as an individual and as part of a community. I don’t think about what is possible, but how I can make it possible. It’s just one of the things DNS taught me, but it is one of the skills that really define my life.”
Nadežda from Lithuania
Works as a Teacher in a traveling school in Lithuania
“I see it as a gigantic, out of proportion, responsible and scary task and I love it! I love to be confident in the era of self-doubt, to struggle with by-products of “system education”, to fight for progress, to seek alternatives, to transform my worldview through every single step on the way. Believe me, it is a restless life – to be a rebel teacher”
Marina from Spain
Works in a school in Catalonia
“When I was about to graduate I was confused, some wondered if I did not know what to do because there were no options, I had to explain that I did not know because I could think at least of 1000 options I could go for and I knew all of them were real options.”