High School in Finland (Ages 15-18)

Attending high school in Finland while living with a host family is the best way for teen participants to discover Finnish culture. 

School
As an exchange student in Finalnd, you will be enrolled in gymnasium, or high school, where you will have a choice of several “majors,” such as humanities, technology, or natural sciences.

Locations
Exchange students are placed in safe communities all around Finland. It is important to be flexible about which town you’re placed in since we are unable to take your location preferences into account. Our priority is to identify a host family and community that is the best match for you.

Extracurricular Activities
Many exchange students are involved in activities and clubs after school or on the weekends, such as sports, music, and volunteering. Although it may be possible to pursue these interests abroad, it should not be expected. Searching for opportunities to participate in extracurricular activities is often easier after you arrive, and Greenheart Travel suggests waiting to join until after you have a better idea of what your class schedule will be like. Extracurricular activities should in no way interfere with your classes.

Accommodation and Meals
Students accepted to Greenheart Travel's High School Abroad Program in Finland have profound opportunities for cultural immersion by living with a well-screened host family while attending a local high school abroad. For decades, the cross-cultural homestay has been considered the best educational vehicle for the development of real international understanding.

Each volunteer host family agrees to provide its international "son or daughter" with meals and his or her own bed. Just as in the U.S., every family is different. You may share a room with a host sibling or have your own room. You may have younger, older or no host siblings. Typically, Finnish families have one or two children, and it is very common for both parents to work outside the home.

Your host family will expect you to help with household responsibilities, and family members may be more traditional in what they think are appropriate gender roles. As you can see, host families represent all walks of life. Host families do not want or expect a "boarder," but rather a new friend and family member.

Independent Travel and Visits from Family
Family members or friends are welcome to visit the exchange student in Finland once their program with Greenheart Travel is complete.

Visiting home or receiving visits from home during the course of a progress like this is extremely disruptive to the program of the student. Such visits very often cause the student to feel homesickness afterward, which means going through the challenging adjustment period experienced at the beginning of the program again after the visit. These reactions to visits are hard on both exchange students and host families. Because we truly wish for all of our exchange students and host families to have positive experiences, we seek to minimize activities that threaten to detract from the positive experience meant to take place between exchange students and host families such as visits to or from home.

As such, receiving visits from friends or family during your program is not permitted.

Traveling independently outside the host community is not allowed unless it is with an adult chaperone and is approved by the host family, natural parents of the student, partner organization and Greenheart Travel. Exploring your Finnish host community after class or on the weekends with friends or your host family is encouraged, as it is a great way to soak in Finnish culture or practice your Finnish language skills. Your host family is a great resource to find out about any interesting events going on in the town. We only ask that students find a balance between spending time with new friends and with their host family.

Academic Credit Transfer
Greenheart Travel will enroll you in a public high school in Finland, and documentation of school work done overseas will be provided. You are responsible for coordinating any transfer of credits from your high school abroad to your high school in the U.S. If you have questions or difficulties, Greenheart Travel’s staff may be able to assist you in this process. Please note that we can not guarantee that your American school will accept your studies abroad as credit. You should see your guidance counselor to determine what credits you might need to take outside of your studies abroad to ensure that you graduate high school on time.

Local Support
Your host family will be a wonderful source of support and advice during your time in Finland. Additionally, you will have what is sometimes called a local representative or a counselor. This person will be an adult outside of your host family who will support you throughout your program. If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact your local representative. He or she is there for you!

Orientation
Before you depart the U.S., you will need to learn as much as possible about the customs and culture of Finland. This will enable you to settle in more easily within your host family and community. Upon acceptance to the program, Greenheart Travel will send you orientation, culture shock, and host country information, so that you can familiarize yourself with your destination. Greenheart Travel’s National Office or local staff will also provide you with a thorough orientation before your departure. You should also read as much as possible about your Finland and practice your Finnish language skills as much as you can!

Transportation
Along with your host family information, Greenheart Travel will notify you of your arrival city, travel dates, and any travel arrangements that need to be made. Airfare to Finland is your responsibility, and you will need to send Greenheart Travel a copy of your itinerary to arrange your arrival transfer.

Depending upon the location of your host community, a representative or your host family may be able to meet you at the airport and take you directly to your new home. In other cases, you may be met at the airport and taken to the nearest train or bus station in order to arrive to your host community, where you will be picked up by your family.

Visas
A student visa is generally required for stays in Finland over 90 days. Exchange students should be prepared to go to the embassy or consulate in person in order to apply for a student visa. Up-to-date information can be found at www.travel.state.gov. Upon acceptance to the program, Greenheart Travel will inform you of the general requirements and instructions in order to get a passport and visa. However, all passport and visa arrangements are the responsibility of the participant and need to be made according to the Embassy’s instructions, as they are the final authority on all visa matters.

Semester Program Options:
Fall Semester: August to January

Spring Semester: January to June

Academic Year:
August to June

Application Deadlines
Fall Semester or Academic Year: April 15
Early Bird Discount - $300: January 2

Spring Semester: September 15
Early Bird Discount - $300: June 1

Requirements
Applicants must have an interest in other cultures and be willing to participate as fully as possible in the host country's culture and language, in school, and in host family activities. Other desirable characteristics include: flexibility, curiosity, motivation, and a good sense of humor. When applying for Greenheart Travel’s High School Abroad Program, you should be in good academic standing and be in good mental and physical health. In addition:

• Some Finnish is preferred, but not required
• Applicants must be between 15 and 18 years
• Applicants should possess a high school cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 / 4.0
• Recommendations will also assist in determining acceptance

Program Costs 

 

Included	Not Included
Lodging	Airfare/Visa fees
Full Board (3 meals/day)	In country transportation
Medical/Accident Insurance	Phone cards/cell phone
Local Coordinator	Uniforms, books, materials
24 Emergency Staff	Souvenirs
Pre-departure and arrival Orientation	Incidentals

Fees may be paid by personal check, money order or credit card.