Gap Year Programs in Sweden

Contrary to popular belief, Sweden is not a vast, frozen wasteland overrun with vikings, nor is it exclusively populated with IKEAs. Sweden’s heavily forested landscape serves as a beautiful contrast to its equally gorgeous cities. While northern Sweden can be quite cold in the winter, the southern part of the country is quite mild. In Sweden, you can enjoy the best of every season in any city! 

Stockholm. It is no question that Stockholm is Sweden’s most well-known city, and therefore a great choice for gap year programs in Sweden! Not only is it a popular tourist destination, but it is also the capital of the country and has the highest population. Stockholm is modern and trendy, and just all around cool. There are plenty of aesthetically-pleasing places to eat, drink, shop, and explore. The city is spread across 14 islands, but don’t worry, it is still quite compact and easy to navigate. Beyond being straight up gorgeous, Stockholm is also the political, economic, and cultural capital, so it is a great place to start your search if you are looking for internships or jobs in Sweden! 

Gothenburg. Gothenburg is second in population, but just as cool as Stockholm. An industrial city port turned tourist destination, Gothenburg is a hipster city. It is more relaxed than Stockholm; it is modernized but still maintains a traditional charm with its cobbled streets and industrial-chic neighbourhoods. Gothenburg is best known for producing Volvos. Volvo was founded in this city in 1927, and there is even a museum dedicated to the carmaker. Gothenburg is cheaper than Stockholm, so it might be more appealing for a budget-conscious gap year in Sweden. Since there are two large universities in the city, it is also home to many students. There are definitely many opportunities to mingle and practice your Swedish in Gothenburg—maybe you can even take a class or two!

Hopefully, Sweden is pretty high up in your gap year travel list by this point! Aside from adventure traveling, there are also opportunities to work and intern during gap year programs in Sweden. Sweden has one of the highest standards of living in the world, and many citizens report that they have a great work-life balance. People are pretty happy in Sweden, and whether you decide to adventure travel, work, or intern, you will be too! 

Au Pair. If you love working with children, being an au pair is a great way to help others during Sweden gap years. Working and living with a family allows you to integrate into the culture and see Swedish life from a local perspective. Non-EU citizens need to apply for a work permit to au pair, which requires you to have a job offer before applying. To au pair in Sweden, you must also prove an interest in studying the Swedish language, and have a certificate of admission to study Swedish. Not only will you have the chance to integrate into Swedish life, you will also have the chance to learn the language! 

Working Holiday. If you’re from Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Hong Kong, New Zealand, or South Korea, you are in luck! These countries have working holiday agreements with Sweden. To apply for a working holiday visa, you need to be between 18 and 30 years old, and have the funds to support yourself in Sweden, as well as buy a return ticket home. Working holiday applicants do not need a job to apply, and can stay in Sweden for up to a year! This gives you the opportunity to travel and make money at the same time. 

Internships. Interning is a great way to get into the Swedish job market as a foreigner. There are two options to find internships: you can find companies and apply independently, or you can find organizations that help you find an internship placement for a fee. Interning abroad in Sweden is a great way to advance your career while on a gap year, all while scratching that travel itch!

Costs. Sweden is quite an expensive country, but don’t let that deter you! The cheapest food you can buy eating out is from outdoor street vendors; for example, hot dogs can start at 3 USD. An inexpensive meal out is $12 per person and a cappuccino is $4. Rent depends on how close you are to a city center, but can range from $600-$900 a month. Check out Fund My Travel for one way to save up for your gap year in Sweden. 

Accommodations. For adventure travelers, hostels, hotels, guest houses, and Airbnb accommodations are commonly available for Sweden gap years. Long-term accommodation is slightly more complicated, since leasing homes in Sweden is highly controlled by the government. Very few properties are able to be rented directly from the landlord, and most properties are rented through a government organization that redistributes vacant housing. Many foreigners rent from a “first tenant” (essentially, sublet from someone already renting the home). Available housing is limited in bigger cities, so start early if you are looking to rent long term. 

Visas. Tourists from many countries such as Australia, Canada, and the U.S. can stay in Sweden for 90 days without a visa. EU nationals can stay for an unlimited period, but must register with local authorities if they plan on staying for more than 90 days. For anything other than leisure travel, make sure to get the appropriate permits or visas. More information can be found here. 

Safety. Sweden is among the safest countries in the world! Of course, pickpocketing and petty theft can occur, as is common in many big cities around the world with a large number of tourists. If you make yourself a difficult target and try to blend in with the locals (trying to integrate with locals is the best way to travel anyways!), then you shouldn’t run into any trouble.

Whether you are planning to spend your entire gap year in Sweden, or stop in for a couple of days on your European travels, you will be greeted with stunning natural beauty, chic and modern cities, and friendly and open-minded citizens. Sweden has definitely got that “cool factor” to give you a memorable gap year experience! 

During your gap year in Sweden, you will no doubt take part in fika, the Swedish coffee break. Fika is a considered a cherished and wonderful part of everyday life. Although it sounds quite simple, fika is more than just a coffee break: it is a time to take a true break. The intention behind fika is to slow down and appreciate the good things in life. Fika often includes baked treats, fruit, or sandwiches enjoyed with your coffee. Many jobs in Sweden have mandatory breaks during the work day (usually once in the morning and once in the afternoon) where people take a moment for their fika break—yes, it is encouraged to take some time to drink some coffee, enjoy some cake, and ponder the good things in life.

It’s no surprise that Sweden is ranked among the best places to live in the world. Whether you are leisure traveling, working, or interning in Sweden, you will be lucky to get a glimpse into what makes Sweden such a wonderful country. Sweden has so much to offer for your gap year; from dog sledding and aurora chasing, to hiking and berry-picking, and even museum hopping and mandatory relaxing coffee breaks, a gap year in Sweden has all your seasons and moods covered!

Planning on working during your Sweden gap year? Find some tips for working abroad here!