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What kind of exchange experience do you want?
I want to spend a all program lengths  studying in Sweden, or maybe all regions. And I'm looking for something with a traditional exchange  and I definitely want to show off my need for  any language skills. Can I go whenever?
  • All around the world.

    all regions
    Africa & Middle East
    Asia & Pacific
    Eastern Europe
    Latin America
    Scandinavian Countries
    Western Europe
    North America
  • Pick a place, any place.

    Say what?

    Any language requirements?

     Any  Yes  No
  • What I'm into.

    a traditional exchange
    a gap year option
    college & university programs
    language classes
    a connection to the Arts
    sports & outdoors
    a volunteer program
  • How long I want to go.

    All program lengths
    Summer
    Short-term
    Semester
    Year-long

    When can I leave?

    whenever
    May to September
    December to March
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Glance

Scholarships Available

385 - Holcomb & Farnell Foreign Stud...
368 - YFU Community Grant
384 - YFU Financial Aid Fund

Age Requirement

January 1, 2001 - December 31, 2003. Students who do not meet this age requirement or will graduate from high school before the start of their program will be considered for admission on a case-by-case basis.

Language

Swedish. Previous language study is not required, but students must be motivated to learn the Swedish language. Prior to departing, YFU Sweden will recommend websites and apps for self-study, which is expected before arrival.

Host Family Placement

Students are usually placed in small country towns (approx 10,000-30,000 people) or medium-sized cities (approx 31,000-125,000 people). Students are rarely placed in large urban centers. It is common that both parents in a family work full-time, so students will be expected to help with family responsibilities.

School

Begins in mid-August and ends in mid-June. Students are typically placed in grades 10-12 according to their age. Students will attend school Monday-Friday from 8:00 am - 4:00 pm. There are breaks for autumn vacation (1 week in October/November), Christmas holiday (2 weeks), winter vacation (1 week in February/March), and Easter (1 week).

Trips

Optional trips are offered to Stockholm in the fall and Lappland in June.

Pastimes

Soccer, Ice hockey, golf, tennis, hiking

Sweden is home to an expansive, clean, and natural landscape. You can take a swim from the steps of the City Hall in Stockholm, Sweden's capital, and pick wild flowers and berries almost anywhere.
Learn more about Sweden.

Academic Year and Semester Programs

During your time in Sweden, you will live with a host family and attend a local high school. Part of your experience will be:

 

School: YFU students in Sweden will be enrolled in a gymnasium, an upper secondary school, and attend courses such as languages, math, social studies, history, technology, physical education, geography, or natural sciences. Most YFU exchange students are placed in the social science or natural science track of secondary school.  You will likely have the same classmates for all of your classes.  You may also find that Swedish schools are non-authoritarian, so this means you will be expected to be able to study very independently and make mature responsibilities when it comes to your studies. Although there are no after-school sports or activities sponsored by the schools, Swedish students get involved in sports, clubs, and other extracurricular opportunities offered within their communities.

 

Orientations: All students applying for the semester or year program must be available for a mandatory 3-day National Pre-Departure Orientation, which usually takes place in mid-July. This orientation is a required part of the program aimed at preparing students for their experience overseas. All students will participate in a one-day local pre-departure orientation in May or June. Upon arrival in Sweden, you will have a four-day orientation near Stockholm, where you will continue your basic language training and meet students on the year and semester exchange programs from all over the world.  There will also be a local post-arrival orientation after students have had a chance to adjust (Sept./Oct.), a local mid-year orientation (Jan./Feb.) and a 3-day national re-entry orientation in May. All orientation costs are included in program tuition.

 

Optional Excursions: A few optional trips will be offered throughout the year. In the fall, YFU Sweden offers a 3 day trip to Stockholm for an adititonal cost . While in Stockholm, students have enjoyed the chance to see the museum of Vasa and the Royal Armory, Skansen, and "Gamla stan," the oldest part of the capital city, while also getting to interact with other exchange students who may live in other parts of Sweden. Year students have also had the opportunity to visit Lappland, the land of the midnight sun, in June for an additional cost. Activities on this 5 day trip have included hiking, guided tours of the flora and fauna, a trip to Narvik (Norway), learning about military and Sami history, and of course appreciating the beautiful scenic surroundings.

 

Year program students may have the option to participate in the YFU Young Europeans' Seminar, a weeklong program of seminars, educational workshops, inspiring guest speakers, panel discussions, and other activities.  The Seminar takes place in Germany in late June and is attended by around 500 other YFU exchange program participants from across the continent. Space is limited and participation requires an additional application and fee.

 

Gap Year Abroad

The traditional Academic and Arts/Music programs may also be available as Gap Year Abroad options. Learn more about other gap year programs.

 

Special Interest Programs: Arts & Music

From a country of over 400 art museums, the Nobel Peace Prize, and Pippi Longstocking comes a wonderful opportunity for students to study visual arts or music in the company of other accomplished artists! YFU students study a wide variety of classes per week in their target interest program. The rest of the classes are in general academic subjects such as mathematics, English, Swedish, history, and social sciences. Courses offered vary depending on the host school.

 

Visual Art: Visual arts exchange students in Sweden will be enrolled in a Swedish high school with a focus on artistic subjects in addition to core subjects. Students may also take art related subjects such as contemporary art and art history. The visual art program focuses on drawing and painting, but students are also introduced to digital art and may specialize in Image and Design. This specialization should provide an in-depth knowledge of two and three-dimensional imaging techniques. This program will also help you develop your ability to express yourself and communicate visually, while also allowing you to experience, interpret and reflect on visual expressions from different perspectives. Another specialization that may be available is Aesthetics and Media, which focuses on digital media, creating digital products, and storytelling with digital tools. 

 

Music: Music exchange students to Sweden will be enrolled in a Swedish high school with a focus on music. The music program requires students to be experienced in at least one main instrument and preferably a second one as well (voice can be a main instrument), and must be qualified in instrumental playing or singing. All kinds of music are taught in addition to classical training, and the focus is on self-expression through music. Other music courses include music theory, music history, and ensemble playing.

 

 

 

 

Tuition Includes

-Placement with a host family
-Enrollment in a local Swedish high school
-Airport transfers
-Domestic and international travel
-All pre-departure and post arrival orientations
-Pre-program support by trained YFU staff
-Support from a YFU Sweden Area Representative while on program
-Comprehensive insurance

 

Additional Information: 

Visa Information: Information regarding visas and other immigration processes will be provided upon enrollment. To learn more, please visit the Embassy website. 

 

Additional Costs: Students are responsible for school fees like textbooks or class activities and any additional expenses related to materials and instruments needed for the Art or Music programs. Students can expect to take public transportation to school, and any transportation fees exceeding SEK 600 per month will be covered by YFU Sweden. Students are responsible for all costs related to obtaining a residence permit. Program tuition does not include personal spending money. 

 

Important Notice: Exchange students in Sweden may not get transcripts of grades from their school, though some schools can provide a certificate. 

 

 

 

Programs Code Departure Return Full Tuition
Year
Fall Year
Fall Year Arts/Music

0113 *
0718 *

mid August
mid August

late June
late June

$13,995
$14,995
Semester
Arts/Music Fall Semester
Fall Semester

1109 *
0435 *

mid August
mid August

early January
early January

$13,995
$11,995

* Programs also available to graduates