Go on high school exchange in Finland
Why study abroad in Finland?
Finland’s stark Nordic scenery is home to fascinating wildlife, pristine forests, some 200,000 lakes and the world’s happiest people, not to mention Europe’s top educational system and an extremely high quality of life (and don’t forget the saunas).
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 Finland! If you are open to adventure and are willing to let yourself be surprised by your exchange experience, this is the program for you.
Welcome to Finland
For the past several years, Finland has topped the list of the world’s happiest countries, which might catch many people by surprise. Finnish people tend to be rather reserved and must endure long, cold winters. But scratch beneath the surface and you’ll find people that love the outdoors, enjoy the pleasures of winter and know how to have a good time.
Population: 5.5 million
Area: 338,000 km2
Lakes: 188,000
Islands: 40,000
Capital: Helsinki (630,000 inhabitants)
Language: Finnish and Swedish (5% of the population)
Currency: Euro
Country code: +358
Finnish fun, funny Finns
The Finns are warm and genuine. Though they may seem a bit shy at first, once you get to know them better, you’ll find loyal friends and a special and quirky Finnish sense of humour. Good examples of this are the numerous festivals and events that are arranged each year throughout the country, which include the Wife Carrying World Championships, the Air Guitar World Championship and the Swamp Soccer World Championships.
Finnish cuisine is rather similar to other Nordic countries, but still has its own specialties. Most Finnish specialties include salmon or reindeer, but vegetables and meat are also commonly used. Clean, natural food is very important to Finns and most dishes are prepared with fresh ingredients. But of course, Finns like to go out for a pizza or a hamburger on occasion, as well.
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World-class education
Finland’s school system is famously one of the best in the world, promoting critical thinking and intellectual exploration, rather than repetition and memorisation. There are minimal homework assignments and shorter school days, since free time is seen as a vital part of a healthy and complete education. But although the school atmosphere is generally more relaxed, Finnish students consistently rank among the best in the world for reading, maths and science, so they must be doing something right.
A flexible school system
High school education in Finland provides students with extensive general knowledge and critical thinking abilities, and prepares them to begin studies at a university, university of applied sciences or vocational training institute. Most high schools in Finland (known as lukio) have a flexible “classless” system, meaning that students can finish at their own pace over two to four years. Schools are not based on age, but on courses with no specified year classes, so you can find students between 16 and 19 years old in any given study group.
Everyday something new
One academic year is divided into five periods, with a separate schedule for each period concentrating on certain subjects. Each period then ends with a “test week.” This way, you’ll get to study a variety of subjects and always be discovering new things and meeting new people.
The school day starts between 8 and 10am and usually finishes around 2 to 4pm. There is normally a 45-minute lunch break, where lunch is provided for free for all students. Mandatory courses include a native language and a foreign language, literature, mathematics, environment and natural science, humanistic and social science and physical education.
Your home away from home
Our wonderful host families can be found all over Finland. They come in all shapes and sizes, but they all share one important trait: they can’t wait to welcome you into their home, show you their country and their way of life, and share incredible experiences together.
Your host family will really become your home away from home. Finnish families spend lots of time together, eat dinner together, and spend their evenings at home enjoying each other’s company or practicing their hobbies. Take the chance to find out about their lives and their interests and don’t be afraid to join in!
Mutual respect and open communication
Exchange students are expected to take part in family activities and help with chores, such as doing the dishes, keeping rooms tidy and shopping for daily groceries. Children and teenagers are afforded a great deal of freedom in Finland, but this freedom comes with a lot of responsibility. Parents trust their children to keep them informed of their whereabouts and to keep their word, in accordance with the Finns’ high ideas of loyalty and reliability.
As a result, Finnish families enjoy free and open communication. They can be straight with one another about all kinds of subjects and respect each other’s opinions. This direct way of communicating can be strange for some exchange students at first, but in the long run it will greatly help you make a connection with your host family and give you the opportunity to express yourself freely.
Quick facts
Who can go: Students age 15–18 on arrival
Departure month: August and January
Language requirements: Good English
Visa: Required for non-European students.
Welcome Camp: Included
School year: August to May/June
School day: 8/10am–2/4pm
Subjects: Some mandatory and many elective courses
Free time in Finland
Finnish people don’t lock themselves in during the cold winter. Instead, they adapt and make the most of it. Be sure to try some ice skating and cross-country skiing during your exchange, and don’t skip the sauna!
Exchange students are strongly advised to participate in extra-curricular activities in local clubs, since Finnish schools seldom arrange any activities. Popular activities include sports, cultural clubs, social events, art, music and drama. This is perhaps the best way to meet new friends outside of school.
Great adventures in the great outdoors
Finns love the outdoors and enjoy their beautiful country all throughout the year. During the summer many city people head for the countryside to their summer cottages by a lake. The weekends and holidays are spent relaxing, swimming, fishing and, of course, in the sauna. Other popular activities include cycling, jogging, water sports and the national sport, pesäpallo (the Finnish version of baseball).
For many Finns winter is high season for sports. Cross-country and downhill skiing are possible almost everywhere in Finland, and ice-fishing or swimming in ice-cold water are becoming more popular. But the most popular sport of all is certainly ice-hockey.
Explore further
We organise shorter trips for our high school students in order for them to experience more during their time abroad. Contact your local coordinator for more information about trips in and around Finland, as well as other Nordic countries.
Exchange student voices from Finland
I was not only greeted by warm and welcoming people but also enchanted by Finland’s breathtaking landscapes. One of my fondest memories is a weekend trip to Levi in Lapland with my host family and friends. Despite the sauna being unavailable, we bravely jumped into a hole in the ice, an exhilarating experience we did not regret. This exchange year has had a profound impact on my life.
In Finnish schools, there is full communication between students and teachers. It allows you to grow as a person simply by remaining who you are, working on your potential and how to best bring it out. I attended theater and music classes and tried cross-country skiing for the first time. One of the most positive aspects of my year abroad was definitely my host family. Today, I consider them an integral part of me, they will always be my Finnish mom, dad, and siblings.
Welcome Camp
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:
- 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
- School spot in a local high school
- Online pre-departure meeting
- Meetings and material to prepare you and your parents
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.
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
Take our short quiz and discover which high school exchange destination fits your vibe.
USA
Discover life as a high school student in the USA. A whole new way of living – from yellow school buses and pep rallies to school pride, homecoming dances, and weekend road trips. You’ll immerse yourself in a culture you’ve only seen in movies, experience the American school spirit firsthand, and find out what everyday life is like as a U.S. teen.
Argentina
A high school year in Argentina will give you a wonderful mix of cultures and indigenous traditions. And your Spanish will get a powerful boost. This is a big, bold and beautiful country with many different landscapes and different climate zones – from subtropical in the north, over the vast green plains (Pampas) in the centre to subpolar and glazier zones in the far south.
Australia
Studying in Australia is more than just sunshine and surf. It’s about meeting new friends, trying Vegemite (yes, really), and learning what it’s like to go to school on the other side of the world. Whether you're in a coastal city or a small rural community, you’ll experience life like a true Aussie teen – full of adventure, culture, and personal growth.
Austria
You don’t have to be skier to love Austria. But if fresh powder and well prepared slopes is your thing then Austria will be your kind of heaven. There are mountains and lift systems everywhere and they are often close to the cities.
Canada
It isn’t hard to see why Canada is attracting an increasing number of international high school students for their year abroad. Canada isn’t just the second-largest country in the world, where the people are friendly and life is easy-going. It also has beautiful natural scenery, wide-open spaces, the great outdoors and plenty of wildlife.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a nature-lover's dream, with deep rain forests, perfect beaches, mountains, volcanoes, islands and spectacular wildlife. But the country's best asset is the people, who are warm, welcoming and share a unique way of seeing the world. Pura vida ('pure life') is both a greeting and the national philosophy. It encapsulates a friendly and worry-free lifestyle and an appreciation of people, nature and a good time.
China
Live and study in one of the world’s most dynamic countries, one that combines the cutting edge of technological development with a history that dates back millennia. The past, present and future seem to merge in China. Discover its unique culture and fascinating language from the inside on an unforgettable high school exchange.
Denmark
Take the chance to study in the lovely country Denmark! Despite the country's small size, there is a lot to discover here. Come with us to Denmark as an exchange student and experience the green landscapes, blue sea and beautiful old towns. Eat typical food such as smørrebrød and frikadeller, rent a bicycle in Copenhagen and treat yourself with some amazing Danish pastry at a cosy café!
Finland
Finland's stark Nordic scenery is home to fascinating wildlife, pristine forests, some 200,000 lakes and the world's happiest people, not to mention Europe's top educational system and an extremely high quality of life (and don't forget the saunas).
France
Around 85 million tourists from all over the world can’t be wrong – France is the place to visit. For decades the country has had the number 1 spot in the World Tourism Organisation’s yearly statistics. It’s no wonder France is a favorite. Shopping, fashion and sightseeing in Paris, the glamorous beach life on the Côte d’Azur, skiing in the French Alps and a beautiful countryside are some of the things that attracts foreigners. Also, it’s no doubt that France is number 1 when it comes to food. Will you try a delicacy such as escargots?
Germany
Germany is the largest country in the EU in terms of population. It’s also the European Union’s biggest economy, which you will notice by the high standards of living. This modern, cosmopolitan country is a centre for technology and innovation. It attracts people from all over the world with a varied cultural scene and a certain love for concerts and festivals.
Great Britain
Studying in the UK is more than afternoon tea and iconic landmarks – it’s a chance to experience life as a British teen and discover a world of new perspectives. From buzzing cities like London and Manchester to charming countryside villages, your exchange year in the UK combines academic challenges with unforgettable cultural moments.
Ireland
A high school exchange in Ireland means diving into a vibrant culture full of music, tradition, and friendly energy. You'll live like a local, attend an Irish secondary school, and become part of a community that is full of character. From green hills and coastal cliffs to school spirit and weekend céilís, life in Ireland is anything but ordinary.
Italy
Go on high school exchange in ItalyFree brochure Why study abroad in Italy? If you ask an Italian why you should come to Italy the answer will probably be because Italy has the best food, the most beautiful language, the greatest culture and world class soccer teams. Well, it’s hard to disagree. This country sure…
Japan
Welcome to a nation like no other! Japan is the world’s third largest economy, and a trendsetter in culture, fashion, and technology. Japanese culture is widely known for its traditional arts as well as its contemporary pop culture. It’s a country where old meets new in a totally unique way.
Netherlands
Most people are familiar with the tulip plantations, the windmills, the expertly built canal system (great for skating in winter time) and lively cities like Amsterdam, Haag and Rotterdam. We are of course talking about the Netherlands – a small but interesting country, with more to offer than just these traditional symbols.
New Zealand
Studying in New Zealand is more than just scenic landscapes and friendly locals – it’s about discovering a whole new way of learning and living.
Norway
Take the opportunity to study in one of the world’s most mesmerising countries. Norway is known worldwide for its exceptional nature and it’s the perfect destination for you who love skiing and snowboarding.
Spain
A high school exchange year in Spain means becoming part of a culture that’s lively, welcoming, and full of everyday moments. You’ll attend a local high school, live with a welcoming host family, and experience what daily life is like as a teenager in Spain. With nearly 500 million people around the world speaking Spanish, gaining confidence in the language will open up new opportunities – both now and in the future.
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!
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