AFS Intercultural Programs: Finland High School and Gap-Year Programs

  Finland

• Other Cities in Finland: 
Helsinki

Durations of Program: 5-8 weeks, 3-6 months and 7-12 months
Dates: Year High School (Fall): Aug. 2010- Jun. 2011; Semester (Fall): Aug. 2010- Jan. 2011; Summer Homestay: Jul. 2010- Aug. 2010

Description: Dispel any notions you might have of Finland being a cold, snowy, northern country; it is alive with vibrant culture, outdoor activities, lush landscapes, and the midnight sun. Finnish culture is colorful with hundreds of arts festivals, a wide range of sporting events, and a balanced mix of small-town life and modern cities. Common sense, no fuss, and making things work sums up how the Finns operate. Finland will stay with you long after your study abroad program. And be ready for anything: you will be placed anywhere between the northernmost village Utsjoki and southernmost town of Hanko, and throughout Finland.

Highlights:
Year and Semester:

The school year is usually divided into five terms from August, to June, with breaks at Christmas and Easter, a one-week sports vacation mid-winter, and the First-of-May celebration. You will study a few courses intensively each term, including Finnish and/or Swedish, math, science, psychology, art, music, sports, history, and geography. You'll travel straight to your host family when you arrive in Finland. About a month into your stay, there will be an orientation to help you get a better grasp on the language and culture and to talk about your experiences so far. AFS host family placements are located throughout Finland.

Short Summer Program:

Imagine having six weeks in this beautiful country during summer to enjoy daily life with your host family. The country is predominantly an unspoiled natural playground with vast forests and almost two hundred thousand lakes. Many host families will take their student to visit their summer cottage by the lake. There is an arrival orientation in Helsinki and an End-of-Stay Orientation including a cruise to Tallinn, Estonia that is paid for by AFS Finland.

AFS students are placed with volunteer host families.

These programs do accept recent high school graduates.

Cost in US$: Year: (USD 10,500), Semester: (USD 9,250), Short Summer Program (USD 7,250)

This Program is open to American Participants.

Application Process Involves:

• In-Person Interview Required
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network

AFS Intercultural Programs/USA's Mission Statement: AFS Intercultural Programs is an international, voluntary, non-governmental, non-profit organization that provides intercultural learning opportunities to help people develop the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to create a more just and peaceful world. AFS Intercultural Programs is a leader in intercultural learning and offers international exchange programs in over 50 countries around the world through independent, not-for-profit AFS organizations, each with a network of volunteers, a professionally staffed office, and headed up by a volunteer board.

Year Founded: 1947