Suecia

¡Deja que nuestra naturaleza te inspire!

Al llegar al Círculo Polar Ártico, Suecia está cubierta en su mayoría por bosques y con la costa más larga de Europa. Los suecos están muy apegados a la naturaleza, y después del largo y duro invierno, disfrutan pasar los meses más cálidos al aire libre: nadar, hacer caminatas o visitar a familiares y amigos. Un tratamiento único en el verano es el midnattsol (el sol de medianoche) cuando el sol está visible las 24 horas del día durante casi dos meses. Los suecos están comprometidos con la sostenibilidad, lo que los convierte en un líder mundial en agricultura orgánica, reciclaje y energía renovable.

La mayoría de los adolescentes en Suecia disfrutan de conciertos, películas y pequeñas reuniones. Es bastante común que una bicicleta sea su principal medio de transporte. Después de la escuela y los fines de semana, puede reunirse con sus amigos en los centros juveniles, llamados fritidsgård, para jugar y pasar el rato. Los amantes de los deportes se divertirán en Suecia, jugando fútbol, ​​tenis, hockey sobre hielo o esquiando.

People & Community

Most Swedes live in small rural towns, and while the cities are populous and modern, they retain their ancient charm with pockets of medieval streets and architecture. You could be placed throughout Sweden, though most host families live in the countryside or in small towns. Mutual respect between children and adults is nurtured from an early age. The Swedes prize personal freedom and accountability, so your responsibilities at home and school will reflect those values. Household chores are usually equally divided among family members, in small and tidy houses.

School

School in Sweden begins in mid-August and goes until mid-June, from 8 am to 3 or 4 pm, though the class schedule varies between programs. Your school schedule will be determined by your interests and the classes you’ve already taken. Swedish schools offer a variety of tracks but sciences and humanities are the priorities for many. No matter what you focus on, expect to take Swedish, English and math.

Language

Swedes speak Swedish, though almost 90% also speak English, as it has been a required subject in schools since 1849. Many Swedes speak a 3rd or 4th language as well. You don’t have to know Swedish before starting your exchange, but some basics will certainly be helpful. AFS will support you in learning the language before and during the exchange by providing materials, links and language lessons.

Food

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.

Let AFS guide your intercultural adventure

Go abroad with AFS to discover who you really are, make new lifetime friendships and immerse yourself in a fascinating intercultural experience.
TEEN PROGRAMS (UNDER 18 YEARS OLD)

Our learning program will prepare you for an amazing AFS intercultural experience. The program begins at your home country with a pre-departure orientation and continues with orientations and other supported learning activities and facilitated conversations will help you maximize your experience, cope the challenges of navigating a new culture and community and gain knowledge, skills, and a global understanding, throughout your time abroad, and as you return to you home country. AFS volunteers will be there to support and guide you and your host family through your learning journey abroad.

ADULT PROGRAMS (18 YEARS OR OLDER)

The Global Competence Certificate (GCC) program will support your intercultural learning experience. This state-of-the-art program prepares you to successfully navigate new cultural environments—during your AFSNext experience and long after you finish the program. Online intercultural learning modules combined with in-person sessions help you develop practical and global skills, knowledge and attitudes that employers need and mission-driven organizations believe will help achieve their social impact goals. You will receive your certification upon completion of the training program.