Sweden

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.

All students on the year, semester and summer programs to Sweden must be born between January 1, 1991 and December 31, 1993.

Programs, Departures, and Costs

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: October 6, 2008