Gap Year Programs - Denmark

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Application Deadline: March 15, 2012

Denmark Semester Community Service Program – Fall Departure

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). Depending on what work you do, you might live with a host family or at the project.

Projects are often in the social/educational area but other types of projects – i.e. environmental or cultural projects – are also available. 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 leisure time 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 families”.

In addition to the orientations, many local chapters organize activities for students and host families 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 student’s expense.

View a PDF Brochure of the Denmark Community Service Program.

Learn More about the Denmark Community Service Program

Age Range:

Birth Date Range:

Travel Dates:

Application Deadline: March 15, 2012

Denmark Year High School Program – Fall Departure

Spend one full academic year the friendly country of Denmark, while attending a local high school and living with a warm host family!

A four-day orientation teaches you about Danish culture, history, customs, daily life, and language. Then you’ll have a full week with your host family before school begins. There are extra classes to help you with your Danish and to acclimate to the culture, which won’t be too difficult since the Danish people are very friendly and most speak English. School runs from August through June, with breaks in October and at Christmas and Easter. You’ll probably live in a rural area, but towns are close together and there is an excellent public transportation system. Denmark is more than just a peninsula: there is the exciting possibility of being placed in Greenland, an unspoiled country full of adventure, indigenous people, and breathtaking landscapes; or the Faroe Islands, located north of Scotland, providing spectacular scenery and friendly close-knit communities.

Your local AFS chapter will organize activities throughout the year, which may include parties or excursions to other cities or regions in Denmark. Also, over the course of your program, AFS staff and volunteers will meet with you at orientations to evaluate your experience and help with your cultural adjustment.

Learn More about the Denmark High School Program