High School in Sweden

Study Abroad in Sweden

Attending high school in Sweden and living with a host family will provide you with an ideal opportunity to learn the language, make lots of new friends, and expand your horizons. You’ll be totally immersed in Swedish society and really get a feel for what it’s like to be a teenager in a completely different environment from the one you’re used to. Get ready for an adventure unlike any other!

Things to Know About Sweden

At Easter (not to be confused with Halloween!) children in Sweden dress up like witches with brooms and go door to door with their friends to collect candy. Swedes are generally calm and collected and they dislike confrontation, it’s a good place to work on your diplomacy skills! After school kids often go to youth centers, called fritis, where they can play games, hang out with their friends, or do homework until their parents get back from work.

70 Years Experience

Eligibility

Graduates Eligible?	No, participants cannot have graduated high school prior to program start
Minimum GPA	2.5
Age Range	15yrs, 8 months to 18yrs, 0 months at start of program
Language Skills	No language requirement
COVID-19 Vaccine	Not Required

Based on differences in culture, strict government regulation of medications, and other local customs, it has been our experience that not all of our international AFS partners are able to support students with certain diagnoses, including but not limited to, severe allergies, strict dietary restrictions, ADD/ADHD, and those currently taking or who have taken psychotropic medications and/or received counseling for mental/psychological issues within the past year. If this applies to you, please get in touch with an AFS Study Abroad Specialist early so that we can determine the right experience for you.

Your Journey to Sweden

Visa Information

AFS will provide visa guidance and support documents (if applicable). Visa processes can be lengthy and complex; you may be required to travel long distances to apply for the visa if there is not an embassy, consulate, etc. close to your home. Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months beyond a return date from your host country. We urge you to apply for or renew your passport as soon as possible if applying to an AFS program. We recommend not taking any trips (domestically or internationally) within 2 months prior to your AFS program as it may interfere with the visa application process and result in a late program start date.

Travel & Orientation

In the months before your departure, AFSers have the opportunity to participate in various preparatory activities, including an online Student Learning Journey, which is an interactive course that brings AFSers from around the world together to learn how to develop essential global skills, intercultural communication techniques, and practice social impact, maximizing the outcomes of the AFS learning experience.

Also during this time, AFS-USA will coordinate and share your international travel with you. You will need to coordinate your own travel to the point of international departure. From there, your journey in Sweden will begin when you land, where you’ll be met by staff and volunteers…as well as your fellow AFSers from around the world! Shortly after arrival, you will attend an arrival orientation and get a crash course on Swedish culture, living with a host family, safety, and support structures.

Your Accommodations

Meeting YourYour Host Family

You could be placed throughout Sweden, though most host families live in the countryside or in small towns. In Sweden, family life is very important and each family has its own unique structure and lifestyle. In a typical family, both parents work.

Swedes tend be fairly patriotic and your host family may be excited to talk to you about their country’s achievements. Sweden is one of the most egalitarian societies in the world. One of the most notable aspects of the Swedish value system is their respect for the environment and commitment to sustainability. They are a global leader in organic agriculture, recycling, and renewable energy.

Your High School in Sweden

School in Sweden begins in mid-August and goes until mid-June. The day generally begins at 8AM and ends around 3 or 4PM, though the class schedule varies between programs. Your school schedule will be determined based on your interests and the classes you’ve already taken. Swedish schools offer a wide variety of programs but some of the most common are Natural Science and Social Science. No matter what your schedule focuses on, you’ll take Swedish, Mathematics, and English.

Daily Life

Teenage Life in Sweden

When spending time with peers, you’ll likely go to more small get-togethers than big parties. Most teenagers in Sweden enjoy reading, going to concerts and plays, and watching movies or TV. It’s quite common for a bicycle to be your main form of transportation. In general, Swedes are very sporty. Skiing, ice hockey and bandy (a type of hockey) are all popular in the colder months, and when it’s warm they take practically any opportunity to spend time outside.

Foods You’ll Encounter

Common Swedish meals include potatoes, cheese, seafood, meat, fresh vegetables, salads, and open-faced sandwiches. Smorgasbord, a bountiful buffet, is common for special occasions. Meatballs, lingonberries, and smoked salmon are popular delicacies.

What's included

75+ years of experience delivering high-quality programs through a worldwide network of 32,000 dedicated volunteers
Accommodations with a vetted host family
Round-trip international airfare for the designated program dates
School enrollment fees
Worldwide, 24-hour emergency assistance
Access to an in-country support team and network, as well as our Participant Support Department based here in the U.S.
Orientations and intercultural education before and during your program
International secondary medical travel coverage
Visa support and guidance
Inclusion in a worldwide returnee and alumni network of over 1,000,000 people

What's not included

Domestic travel to your international departure city
Visa and passport fees
Spending money
Covid-19 Tests
Fees imposed by the airlines outside of your international ticket, such as luggage fees.
Additional fees may apply depending on the specific host country. Please email [email protected] for additional details.

We invite you to learn more about where your dollars go, our payment and refund policy, and answers to our Frequently Asked Questions.

Scholarships and Aid

We believe that studying abroad should not be contingent on personal finances. When you apply, we work with you to understand your family’s needs and match you with available scholarships and aid. 100% of accepted applicants with demonstrated need receive funds.

Learn More

Visa Info

Do I need a visa/residence permit for Sweden?	YES. Residence Permit
How do I apply for the visa? (By mail, In-person, In host country)	In-person
Visa/Residence Permit Process Difficulty Level (Easy, Average, Complex)	Average
Estimated Visa/Residence Permit Expenses ($ – $$$)	$
Frequently Asked Visa Questions	Visit our general visa FAQ page for more information.

Returning Home

“Life-changing” is hard to describe, yet it’s nearly always the first thing that AFSers say when asked about their experience abroad. “Transformed” is another one. When you return home from your study abroad in Sweden, you’ll bring with you a sense of accomplishment unlike any other. You’ll have gained maturity and independence, discovered new passions, and developed the confidence and resilience to accomplish anything you set out to do.

That transformation isn’t only visible to you, though – others see it as well. AFSers gain critical skills for college and careers. Second language fluency, intercultural competence, creativity, and critical reasoning will help you succeed, whatever path you take. “Life-changing” means it’s only the beginning. It’s not just an adventure abroad; it’s a whole new reality. The perspectives and personal connections you gained will stay with you and likely draw you back to the second home you found in Sweden.

In fact, our alumni reviews have made AFS one of the top-rated organizations in the study abroad industry.