Finland

Contrary to popular belief, Finland has relatively warm summers. Finnish Lapland is home to the Midnight Sun, when the sun doesn't set at all for two months! The snowy Finnish winter provides an excellent opportunity for winter sports such as skiing, snowboarding, and ice hockey throughout the country.

Finnish people identify strongly with the beautiful nature that surrounds them. The blue and white of the Finnish flag echo the thousands of lakes and the lush winter snow. Although there are many urban areas, you are never too far from green forests, bright blue skies, and fresh air. Finns truly appreciate nature as a source of tranquility and energy which brings balance to their busy lifestyles.

Although both parents often work, Finnish families get together on weekends to visit their lakeside summer cottages or to watch and participate in sports. The most popular sports are ice hockey, skiing, soccer, and track and field. Young Finns are often given quite a bit of freedom, but they also have a lot of responsibility. Loyalty and reliability are essential ingredients of Finnish families, and Finnish children usually come and go by themselves, thanks to a safe country and a good public transportation system.

Academic Programs

If you’re in Finland on a year or semester program, you will attend lukio (high school). You will pick your subjects from social sciences, mathematical and computer-related studies, physical education, a wide range of languages (including Finnish, Swedish, German, French, Spanish, and Russian), as well as arts and special courses. Interest in information technology is at the top level in schools. Finnish schools have many things to offer the exchange student, the schools are modern and teaching methods are relaxed but effective.

For an additional fee, YFU students in Finland for the year or spring semester may enjoy a five-day trip in March to Lapland, the home of the Sami people. On this adventure, you'll travel above the Arctic Circle to go skiing and snowboarding and to explore a new landscape and a completely different culture. All year and semester students may enjoy a cruise to Stockholm, Sweden or Tallinn, Estonia for an additional fee.

All year and semester students receive an orientation upon arrival which includes an introduction to the Finnish language, as well as a local re-entry orientation prior to departure. Year students also attend a local mid-year orientation in January or February. Year and Semester students must be born between 8/31/1991 - 1/06/1994.

Check out this new flyer from YFU Finland about the year program!

Summer Program

Discover Finland
During your six-week stay, you will live with and get to know your Finnish host family, the community in which they live, and the national culture. Plus, it's a perfect opportunity to begin to learn the Finnish language, one of the oldest languages in the world. Finland is also known as the original home of Santa Claus and the Moominland stories (by Tove Jansson). Sauna, a Finnish invention, is the most popular form of relaxation. These and many other Finnish specialties are yours to explore in the land of the midnight sun.

Upon arrival, you will have an orientation near Helsinki which will include basic language instruction. At the end of your summer, a farewell seminar and cultural tour will take place in Helsinki to visit a number of government and historic sites. An optional two-day trip to the medieval capital of Tallinn, Estonia will also be offered for a small additional fee.

Check out these new flyers from YFU Finland about the summer program!

Finland-US Senate Youth Exchange Program
Up to fourteen merit-based scholarships are offered for students to live with host families in Finland for eight weeks during the summer. Students who apply for this program must be US citizens, high school sophomores or juniors, and hold at least a 3.2 GPA. Students must pay a $500 program contribution upon acceptance.

A full list of scholarships and the scholarship application are available on our Scholarships page.

Programs, Departures, and Costs

Online Resources

To learn more about Finland, we recommend:

• E-mail YFU Alumni from the Alumni Referral List with your questions
• Visit your local library to find reference books, travel guides and essays, Finnish language dictionaries, and many more country resources 
• Use an internet search engine to find informative web sites 
• Embassy of Finland in Washington, DC web site
• Project Finland web site

"It was by far the most educational summer I've ever had... I learned while there, a sort of 'live learning.'" - Katherine Luck

All YFU Programs are subject to change or cancellation without prior notice.
Last Updated:  August, 2007