Sweden

	Quick Facts
	Language Swedish. Previous language study is not required. Year and semester students will receive a language course in the mail before departing for Sweden.
	Host Family Placement Throughout Sweden, more rural and suburban than urban areas.
	School Split into two semesters. Starts in mid-August and ends in mid-June, with Christmas vacation in between.
	Trips Optional educational trips are available for an additional fee.
	Pastimes Outdoor activities, winter and summer sports, and singing in choirs.

The environment in Sweden is so clean and nature so expansive that you can take a swim from the steps of the City Hall in Stockholm, Sweden’s capital, or pick wild flowers and berries almost anywhere.

Swedes really enjoy outdoor activities and they will want you to join them. Why not? Your host family lives in one of the most beautiful countries in the world. Swedes generally get five weeks of vacation each year and much of it is spent outdoors. They like sports, fishing, golf, tennis, sailing, and swimming. Major team sports are hockey and soccer. Northern and central mountains offer chances to ski and hike.

A large part of Swedish society revolves around close family ties and loyalties. Swedish families generally spend a lot of time together, visit friends and relatives, and in summer, often take trips to their cabins. Few Swedish teenagers work after school. Most are involved in sports, clubs, or other social activities during the week nights.

Academic Programs

Most Swedish students go to gymnasium, an upper secondary school. If you are a YFU student in Sweden for a year, you will attend gymnasium and be placed in a group of subjects that interest you in areas such as languages, art, technology, or natural sciences. When you arrive in Sweden you will have a three- to four-day orientation camp. You will receive basic language training and meet students on the year and semester program from all over the world before you go to your host family.

School generally begins between 8:00 and 9:00 a.m. and lasts until 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., with an hour lunch break. There are typically four school breaks during the year—fall, summer, Easter, and Christmas.

Although there are no after school sports activities, Swedish students get involved in sports practice with their clubs or teams after school.

Arts/Music Year Program
From the country that gave us the Nobel Peace Prize and Pippi Longstocking comes a wonderful opportunity for YFU participants to study visual arts, music, dance, or drama.

YFU students study 35 classes per week, out of which 11-14 are in the specific subject of their chosen art. The rest of the classes are in general academic subjects such as mathematics, English, history, and social sciences. Students applying for the arts program will need to fill out an additional application.

Visual Art The visual art program focuses on drawing and painting. Other art related subjects such as pottery, metalwork, and woodwork are also offered, including art history.

Music The special music program requires students to be experienced in at least one main instrument, including voice. All kinds of music are taught in addition to classical training. Other music courses include music theory, music history, and ensemble playing.

Dance Open to students with experience in classical ballet and at least one other dance form, such as jazz dance. The main subjects are Dance, Form and Creation, and Dance Training. Art-related subjects are also offered.

Drama The drama program requires students to speak some Swedish or learn Swedish very early in the program. Movement, dance, and music are included as drama activities. Acceptance is on a case-by-case basis, determined by YFU Sweden. The drama program is not available for students on the semester program.

13th Year Abroad
The traditional Academic and Arts/Music programs are also available as 13th Year Abroad options. Learn more about other 13th Year Abroad Programs.

Summer Program

Discover Sweden
As a YFU summer student, you too can take advantage of Sweden’s beautiful outdoors while getting to know its people and culture. During your six-week stay with a Swedish family, you will have a chance to immerse yourself in the language and customs of this country. Swedes love to spend their summer vacation in summer homes in the archipelago or in the countryside. Take this opportunity to live close to nature and enjoy swimming, sailing, and the long, bright summer nights.

Programs, Departures, and Costs

Programs	Code	Departure	Return	Tuition
Year Academic Arts/Music Academic Arts/Music	1108 1107 0113 0718	early January early January early August early August	late December late December late June late June	$7995 $8995 $7995 $8995
13th Year Abroad Academic Arts/Music Academic Semester	0113 0718 0435	early August early August early August	late June late June early January	$7995 $8995 $7995
Semester Academic Arts/Music Academic Arts/Music	1114 1106 0435 1109	early January early January early August early August	late June late June early January early January	$7995 $8995 $7995 $8995
Summer Discover Sweden	0111	mid-June	early August	$5595

Online Resources

To learn more about Sweden, 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, Swedish language dictionaries, and many more country resources
Use an internet search engine to find informative web sites
Embassy of Sweden in Washington, DC web site
VisitSweden.com Sweden's official website for tourism and travel information

"My favorite thing about Sweden was the beautiful lakes and landscapes."
- Michael Teagarden

All YFU Programs are subject to change or cancellation without prior notice.
Last Updated: Tuesday, September 4, 2007