Go on high school exchange in Sweden

Why study abroad 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!

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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.

Facts Sweden

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.

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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:

  • 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
STS eyes looking down

Our destinations

Take our short quiz and discover which high school exchange destination fits your vibe.

USA
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
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
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
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
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

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
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
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

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
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?

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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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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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