Students in front of Drottningholms slott (the residence of the Royal Family)
An AFS year in Sweden?! Välkommen!
Sweden
If you decide to come to Sweden as an AFSer, you are in for a treat. Sweden is a beautiful country and its people too. Once you get to know us you will find out that many of the people you meet here will become your friends for life. it may take a while before they open up but once they do you can really count on them.
As an AFSer you need to be ready to take the initiative. Engage yourself in activities outside school, volunteer in helping out in your hostfamilies’ house and always start asking questions first. Once you show an interest in other people and what they do, they will be interested in getting to know you.
Arrival to Sweden
When you arrive in Sweden in August you will travel straight to the arrival camp in Stockholm where you will spend a couple of days with orientation and language classes. After that you will travel either by train, bus or air plane, depending on where in the country you will be hosted. The camp will be a helpful tool for you to discuss and learn more about Sweden, Swedish life and Swedish. You will also get to know the AFSers who has come to Sweden from all over the world, so you’re in for fun!
School
You will be going to the first, second or third year of the Swedish gymnasium. Depending on your background and the availability at the school you will be studying a line of subjects. Here you will find more information on the Swedish school system.
You will be expected to learn Swedish and the school will in most cases give you one or two lessons per week in our language during your first semester. Schools are able to give you a certificate of subjects studied while in Sweden, but you can not count on getting a diploma. The Swedish gymnasium (upper secondary school) is much based on a system with a lot of freedom but also a lot of individual responsability for your own studies. You must be prepared to take own initiatives and work hard in your subjects, but then you will find that you get a lot of respect and you will learn plenty of Swedish without even noticing!
AFS encourages host schools to integrate exchange students as resource persons in different subjects and studies. You should therefor be prepared to give lectures and assist e.g. language or civics teachers with knowledge about your country, culture and language.
Mid-Stay
About half way through your experience you will be invited to a mid-stay camp. The camp usually takes place in Stockholm for a couple of days. The focus during this camp is to give you an opportunity to reflect upon your stay in Sweden – through games, plays, discussions and not the least – a lot of fun spending time together!
End-of-Stay
Before you go home you will be able to spend some days with all your friends among the AFSers before getting on the plane back home. We believe with a greater knowledge, a bigger circle of friends, a new language and hopefully with a greater understanding, not only of Sweden but of other customs in general.
Typically (?) Swedish…
¤ Some families celebrate name-days. Every name has a day of the year.
¤ We consider ourselves to be Christian but most people do not practise the religion.
¤ We are relatively straight forward and informal when speaking, even when directing people in a higher position (teachers, managers, elderly, etc.).
¤ Swedes can sometimes be afraid of conflicts and try to avoid them.
¤ We keep eye contact when speaking.
¤ We take off our shoes indoors.
¤ Most Swedish youth listen to their parents’ advice, but we have been taught to question things and discuss matters.
¤ In Swedish schools the pupils are encouraged to question what they read, see and hear – even their teachers.
¤ It is important to be on time.
¤ We do not bargain when shopping.
¤ We seldom show emotions in front of strangers, but at home and with friends we do.
¤ We usually share costs when we go out.
Contact your local AFS office and start the process today!
