Welcome to Sweden!
High School in Sweden
Did you know that Sweden is a 1 574 kilometer long country with nearly 100 000 lakes? Pretty impressive. The country has great coastlines and lots of vast forests. But also charming cities, both big and small, from Malmö in the south to Kiruna in the north. Stockholm, the Swedish capital, is a lively city located in the most amazing archipelago. It is a beautiful country with great wildlife and plenty of wide open spaces. If you’re lucky you’ll see the King of Sweden, or at least the king of the forest, the famous moose. Come join us for a genuine experience!
High School Classic
High School Classic is the traditional high school exchange program, chosen by most of our students. It is the perfect program for those who long for a genuine high school experience abroad and who are willing to embrace all the surprises it can bring. Here’s how it works: based on your profile, we find you a suitable host family and school, and the best part is, it can be anywhere in Sweden, from the vast and beautiful countryside to the culturally fascinating cities! If you’re open to adventure and are willing to let yourself be surprised by your exchange experience, this is the program for you.
Swedish music
Sweden is the birthplace of storyteller Astrid Lindgren, the Nobel Prize, IKEA, Volvo and artists like ABBA, Roxette, Ace of Base, Robyn and Swedish House Mafia. Sweden is actually the world’s number one exporter of chart music in relation to its GDP. The producer and songwriter Max Martin has the third-most number one singles on the Billboard chart, behind only Paul McCartney and John Lennon. Surely something to be proud of!
If you’re into music, bring your own instrument and immerse yourself in the Swedish music industry during your exchange year.
Population: 9,9 million
Area: 450 000 km2
Government: Parliamentary constitutional monarchy
Capital: Stockholm (910 000 in city)
Currency: Swedish krona (SEK)
Country code: +46
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School life in Sweden
A friendly atmosphere. Open and informal contact between teachers and students. Teaching methods where you get a lot of freedom, searching for information on your own. Being a high school student in Sweden is a wonderful time and a life changing experience. Come and see for yourself!
The Swedish school system
School in Sweden is compulsory for all children between 7 and 16 years of age. You attend high school, called gymnasium, between the age of 16 to 19. This is voluntary but almost all Swedish young people choose to attend. Swedish students can choose from a variety of high school programmes, such as economics, social sciences, natural sciences and aesthetics. Exchange students are usually placed in the first or second grade in high school.
No previous knowledge of the Swedish language is required in order to participate in our exchange programme here. However, we do recommend that you take a language course after school.
School start and holidays
The Swedish school year is divided into two semesters. Fall semester begins in August and ends in mid-December. Spring semester is from early January to mid-June. During the school year, everyone has a fall break for one week in October, two weeks of Christmas holidays, one week winter break (often referred to a sports break) in February and one week off around Easter.
You will attend school Monday through Friday. Class usually begins between 8 to 9 am and ends around 3 or 4 pm, with a break for lunch, which you will have in the school canteen.
Your Swedish host family
Our Swedish host families live all across the country. In Swedish households, both adults usually work full time and most families have a packed weekly schedule. However, they care a lot about making time for family and will be curious to get to know you and your culture. Your host parents will treat you like their own son or daughter, doing everything to make you feel at home.
Responsibility and support
Swedish teenagers have a lot of freedom, but their parents are careful to make sure that they follow the set rules. This obviously also applies for you as an exchange student in the family. This mindset will make you grow as a person with the full support from your host family.
Helping out at home
In Sweden, the whole family helps out with the housework. Swedish youngsters are naturally expected to help with all the chores in the home, like washing or operating the dishwasher, keeping the house clean and tidy and shopping and cooking. As an exchange student you are naturally expected to help out, just like everyone else in the family, by making your bed and cleaning your room.
Ask if you can help out in the kitchen too and learn to cook some Swedish specialties, like the famous meatballs or the delicious cinnamon roll, or kanelbulle as it’s called in Swedish.
Quick facts
Who can go: 15–18 years on arrival
Departure month: January/August/December
Language requirements: No previous knowledge required
Visa: Yes.
Prep course: STS Welcome Camp included
School year: August–June
School day: Usually 08.00 – 16.00
Subjects: Compulsory
Free time in Sweden
Green and beautiful in summer, cold and snowy in winter. Excitement in the air in spring and beautiful coloured trees and cozy indoor activities in fall. Sweden has four clear seasons to be proud of. If you love the sea and appreciate nature, Sweden is the ideal choice.
The mountains in the northern part of the country offer great skiing in the winter, both downhill and cross-country. In summer you can go sailing, fishing, hiking or exploring Swedish nature in other ways. You will probably have lots of traditional fika, meaning having a cup of coffee and often something sweet.
Find a sports team
Many of your Swedish friends will be into sports. Ask your host family for help to find a team for you. Popular sports include soccer, hockey, handball, sailing, golf, tennis and the Swedish classic called floorball. If you’re not looking for a team but still want to stay in shape, join your friends when they go running.
Bring your instrument
The Swedish music scene is well known, with a long list of famous artists in both pop, opera and classical music. Many world-famous artists hold concerts in different parts of Sweden; summer especially is the time for major music festivals. If you play a musical instrument, bring it with you. It is an ideal way to both have fun and make new friends.
Trips in Scandinavia
Take the chance to discover more during your exchange. We organise several optional trips throughout the year, both in Sweden and possibly in the neighbouring Nordic countries as well. They offer a chance to visit new parts of the country, meet other international students and experience even more during your time abroad. These trips are not included in your programme fee, but all our students in Sweden are welcome to join! Contact your local coordinator for more information on upcoming trips.
STS Welcome Camp in Europe
Your exchange begins with our fun Welcome Camp in Europe! The Welcome Camp gives you the best possible start to your exchange, and is packed with sightseeing, seminars, new friends and lots of fun.
Welcome camp is included for all students going in the autumn. Welcome camp is not included if you go in the spring term.
Welcome Camp in Europe
At the Welcome Camp in Europe you’ll have the chance to share your hopes, worries and expectations for your upcoming exchange along with other STS students. You’ll participate in workshops and get more information about what to expect from your experience and how to get help and support should you need it. This is a great opportunity to ask questions and talk about the adventure you have ahead of you. Best of all, you’ll do all of this while partaking in fun activities and making new friends from around the world.
Food, accommodation and other info
During the Welcome Camp, you’ll stay on campus along with other STS students and a group of leaders. You’ll also have seminars and workshops on campus. Breakfast is included, as well as a welcome dinner and transportation in the city, but you’ll also have the chance to have some meals on your own.
What’s included:
- Journey to host family and back
- School spot in a local high school
- Online pre-departure meeting
- Meetings and material to prepare you and your parents
- Accommodation in a host family
- Personal assistance and contact person in both home and host country
- Emergency support 24/7
- STS bag
- Full board in a host family
- STS Welcome Camp
- Free interview
- STS Diploma
Add-ons
Gain more control over your high school exchange experience with our add-ons.
Tell us about your wishes and increase your chances of making your dreams a reality.
Area request
From 950 €
Sweden is a very long country. Do you already have an idea in what part of Sweden you want to spend your exchange? Would you prefer to stay in the cold and exotic north, in central Sweden or in the south, closer to Denmark and the European continent? Tell us your request and we will do what we can to fulfill it.
Be sure to apply early in order to increase your chances of getting your first-choice location. And keep in mind that if you end up in the location you selected, an extra fee will be charged.
Special request
From 300 €
Do you have a special request concerning your exchange? A certain town you want to stay in, a favorite subject you want to study, a sport you want to continue to practice or try out, or something completely different. You name it, we will try to arrange it! The sky is the limit.
If we can fulfill your request, you pay an additional fee. If not, there is no charge.
Our destinations
Your exchange year can take you to North America, South America, Europe, Asia, or Oceania. Each destination offers unique cultures, school systems, and everyday experiences — and the choice is yours. Where will you go?
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