Focus on Norway

  Norway

Oslo

Duration of Program: 7-12 months
Dates: inquire for specific dates

Description: Norway is famous for its breathtaking glaciers and fjords, but this country also has large forested areas, rich farmland, gentle valleys, and sunny beaches along its Gulf Stream-warmed coastline. Norwegian architecture is renowned for its stave churches (among the oldest wooden buildings on earth). Citizens are avid winter sport enthusiasts, with skiing ranking as a national pastime. In the summer, hiking through the forests and mountains is popular. You'll learn all about Norwegian culture in an orientation upon your arrival, including a week-long language and culture camp. Later in the year, you'll be able to help with a week-long community service project in your community. Norwegian families encourage their teenagers to be active and social, so be ready to participate in sports and be interested in outdoor excursions.

Highlights: Most AFS Exchange Students are placed in the first or second year of public secondary school, which runs from August through June. Students meet with an academic advisor to assist in planning a course of study, and you'll be treated the same as Norwegian students. There are after-school activities such as hiking, skiing, sports, scouting, music, and arts and crafts that will give you more opportunities to make friends outside of school. All these activities are not organized by the school, but by sports clubs AFS Students can join. Teenagers in Norway are independent and very liberal in many aspects, enjoying parties, movies, and talking openly with their friends about topics that might seem too personal or unfit for conversations by foreigners.

Cost in US$: $9,900

Application Process Involves:

• In-Person Interview Required
• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Exit DebriefingAbroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home
• Alumni Network
• Job and Internship Network

AFS Intercultural Programs'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