AFS Intercultural Programs- Sweden High School and Gap-Year Programs

  Sweden

• Other Cities in Sweden: 
Stockholm

Duration of Program: 7-12 months
Dates: Year High School (Fall): Aug. 2010- Jul. 2011

Description: Stretching more than 1,200 miles from its northern reaches in the Arctic Circle to its southern tip that is parallel with Denmark, Sweden encompasses a wealth of natural beauty. It offers forests covering more than half of the country, numerous large rivers, and the longest coastline in Europe. Consequently, outdoor activities are very popular. Most of the population lives in small rural towns, and while the major cities are populous and modern, they retain some of their ancient charm with pockets of medieval streets and architecture. Traditional festivities include celebrations of nature, most notably the return of spring. And during the summer in the North of Sweden, you will experience the sun not going down at all- known as the midnattssol (midnight sun). AFS host family placements are located throughout Sweden.

Highlights: When you arrive in Stockholm, you'll attend a 2-3 day orientation where you'll meet other AFS Exchange Students, learn about Sweden, and begin learning Swedish. The Swedes prize personal freedom and accountability, so your responsibilities at home and school will reflect those values. You'll probably live in a small city or town, and attend school from August through June, with vacations in November, December, February, and at Easter. Your coursework in the gymnasieskola will focus on specific academic tracks: natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, or economics, and will also include Swedish language classes, civics, math, science, sports, health, and the arts. In Sweden, the style of instruction is mainly a lecture format followed by classroom discussions. Extracurricular AFS Activities include cultural and social outings organized by the volunteers. AFS students are placed with volunteer host families throughout Sweden.

This program does accept recent high school graduates.

Cost in US$: Year Program: (USD 11,500)

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