Program Description | Host Family & Community | Community Service Placement | Travel | Orientations | Eligibility
Program Description
The peninsula of Denmark juts straight into the North Sea, serving as a bridge between Scandinavia and continental Europe. This has brought a continuous stream of cultures back and forth over the centuries and the benefits are evident in today’s Denmark: modern, cosmopolitan cities; simple, historic architecture influenced by Nordic tradition; and fairy-tale villages with town markets, country churches, and castles. The country is relatively flat, with moors, lakes, farmlands, and woodlands, and traffic-free “walking streets.” Citizens of a maritime nation, the Danes have always turned their eyes and hearts to the sea, and no part of the country is more than an hour’s drive from the seashore.
Take this chance to share in and contribute to the life of a Danish community by living and working alongside its members in a community-based service organization. You’ll pitch in as needed and learn about the Danish culture at the same time. Placements include helping with social programs, teaching children, working in kindergartens, assisting the elderly, working in environmental projects, improving public health, or taking part in a Danish folk high school (a unique Danish concept for lifelong learning).
Accommodations will be either in housing provided by the community-based organization or with a host family.
Language
Danish is Denmark’s official language, although English is understood widely.
The ability to speak Danish is not a prerequisite for the program but we strongly suggest that you learn as much as possible prior to departure. In addition, AFS Denmark will offer you approx. 4-6 hours per week of language lessons during the first 3-4 months.
Host Family & Community
Most placements in Denmark’s mainland are in rural or suburban areas. Towns are close together and there is an excellent public transportation system. It’s possible that you could be placed in Greenland or on the Faroe Islands.
Host families in Denmark, like all AFS host families worldwide, are volunteers and are not paid. They open their homes to participants in order to share their community and culture as well as to enrich their own family lives.
Danes
The Danes tend to be cosmopolitan in their attitudes and lifestyle. The Danish standard of living is high and Danes tend to be well educated. They take pride in their country’s highly developed public schools, higher education, and health services. The culture is highly respected for its accomplishments in science, art, literature, and architecture.
Perhaps nothing captures the Danish perspective on life more than the concept of hygge, which-- roughly translated-- means cozy and snug. This affects how Danes approach many aspects of their lives, from their homes to cafes.
Nuclear families are the most common in Denmark, but, like in many other countries, divorce rates are quite high and many kids stay with single parents or have stepparents and step-siblings.
Meals
Traditional open-faced sandwiches known as smörrebröd are popular. The evening meal is usually the main meal of the day and is often a time when the whole family is together. Dinner usually includes meat or fish, potatoes, rice or pasta, and vegetables. Sometimes dessert is served. Staples of the Danish diet include roast pork, fish, beans, Brussel sprouts, fresh vegetables, and grains.
Danes tend to eat meals rather than snack from the refrigerator. Vegetarianism is extremely rare, making vegetarians difficult to place.
Community Service Placement
Placements include helping with social programs, teaching children, working in kindergartens, assisting the elderly, working in environmental projects, improving public health, or taking part in a Danish folk high school (a unique Danish concept for lifelong learning).
Projects are often in the social/educational area but other types of projects - i.e. environmental or cultural projects. Some projects have a combination of work in a school in the morning and work in a leisure time club in the afternoon (most kids spend their afternoons in such clubs). In leisure time clubs, children can do various activities, such as sports, drama, other creative activities, etc.
Denmark also has unique institutions called "Højskoler" which are lifelong learning schools for young people and adults. Participants who are placed at these schools will live in dormitory apartments at the school during the week, that way they can take part in the activities offered at the school in their spare time. Participants staying at the schools will spend time during the weekend with their "weekend host famiies".
Accommodations will be either in housing provided by the community-based organization or with a host family.
Past Placements
Here are some examples of past community service placements. The list shows possible placements, but not all projects will be available each year:
School for the Deaf
- Assisted with activities and classes at a developmental center for deaf children that offer a wide range of services
Højskolen (Folk High School)
- Helped implement a course designed to help young people learn about ecology, gardening, and cooking with locally grown foods
- Assisted in creating a demonstration garden
- Strengthened the knowledge in the local community about the importance of food in relation to health and a healthy life
Here are some more examples of past community service projects in Denmark.
Travel
You will receive a Travel Notification email about 6 weeks prior to international departure with your international flight itinerary and detailed instructions for when to arrive at the Gateway Orientation site in New York. At that point, you may arrange your domestic travel. In New York, you will join other AFS-USA participants for an overnight Gateway Orientation before you travel together to Copenhagen.
International airfare is included as part of the tuition, but it is your responsibility to get from your home town to the Gateway Orientation site.
Your Arrival
You and your fellow AFSers will travel together between New York City and Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark. After you collect your baggage and pass through customs you will be met by AFS staff and volunteers who will escort you to the Arrival Orientation site. After the 2-3 day orientation, you will either be picked up by your host family or take a train with an AFS volunteer to your host community.
Your Return
After finishing your wommunity service project, you will fly back to New York with the other AFS-USA participants.
Orientations
In addition to the orientations that you will participate in domestically (the locally held Pre-Departure Orientation, the Culture Trek online orientation, and the national Gateway Orientation), you and your fellow AFSers will have several orientations while abroad. These required orientations are intended to help you maximize your AFS experience, prevent culture shock and to gain knowledge, skills and a global understanding.
Arrival Orientation
The first orientation will take place upon your arrival in Copenhagen. This will be a 2-3 day orientation that is intended to prepare you for your first weeks abroad. You will be able to participate in workshops about Danish culture, history, customs, daily life, and take a language class. You will make friends from all over the world and join in games, singing and dancing.
Mid-Stay Orientation
A month or two after your arrival you will participate in a regional camp where you’ll get together with other AFS students, learn more about Danish culture and evaluate your first impressions. You’ll spend the weekend focusing on the state of affairs in the family and playing Intercultural games. You will also meet with AFS staff and volunteers to evaluate your first few weeks and be offered guidance to make the transition as smooth as possible.
Optional Activities
In addition to the orientations, many local chapters organize activities for participants throughout the year. These will vary from chapter to chapter but may include parties or excursions to other cities or regions in Denmark. Unlike the orientations, these activities are optional and are at the participant’s expense.
Eligibility
To participate in this program, you must:
- Be within the age range upon departure (located in the ‘read more’ drop-down)
- Be mentally, physically, and emotionally healthy in accordance with AFS Medical Evaluation Policies
- Have a U.S. passport at the time of application. Passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the program end date
- Have an open mind, willingness to be flexible, and the ability to adapt to new a culture, school, and environment
