High School in Finland
Call the Arctic Circle home while you live with a host family and attend high school in Finland.
Starting date: August 2027
Yearly Program
Spots available
Spots available
Finnish culture is unique with its nearly 200,000 lakes, saunas, and art festivals. If you enjoy skiing, hiking, or even boating—all accompanied by a well-balanced mix of village life and modern cities—you should definitely immerse yourself in the daily life of one of Europe's most magical countries. Finns are naturally shy and reserved at first, but they will open up once they meet you. They value common sense, no fuss, and making things run smoothly. Experience the unique 24-hour daylight hours in summer and the dark nights of the Arctic winter.
Admission requirements
Participants must be between 15.8 and 18.8 years old on the day of departure.
The AFS program
You'll be leaving for a year, a semester, or even a trimester. You'll attend high school in the community where you'll be living. You'll have the opportunity to be hosted by a family carefully selected by AFS so you can enjoy an immersive stay that will leave you with unforgettable memories.
AFS offers training, orientation, and activities before, during, and after your stay. You'll meet young people from all over the world.
The school system
School in Finland runs from mid-August to early June, with holidays in summer, Christmas, and a week in spring. Students have 25 hours of classes weekly, with no Saturday school. Most subjects are mandatory, but electives are offered. Subjects include Finnish, Swedish, foreign languages, sciences, arts, physical education, and more, taught mainly in Finnish and Swedish.
Classes last 45 minutes with 15-minute breaks. Students are graded after each class. Lessons may seem challenging at first, but it’s a chance to learn Finnish and Swedish. Teacher assistants help students follow along, and classes encourage debate, with a more informal teacher-student relationship than in Canada.
What’s included in your experience
Learning paths that evolve with the world
AFS helps people of all ages and backgrounds develop the knowledge, skills, and understanding needed to connect with diverse people, succeed in a global environment, and contribute to a positive impact on the world.
