Sweden is situated between Norway and Finland and has a lovely stretch of coast on the Baltic Sea. From forests to mountains (and the hundreds of castles that dot everything in between), take advantage of one of the least-populated countries in the world and explore the wilderness. Then, hit the books and find some locals to befriend in the swanky Swedish cities.

Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, is in the south of the country yet it is undoubtedly the “center” of Sweden. Even though it’s actually located on 14 different islands and is connected by bridges, the city is compact and fairly easy to navigate by foot. From the historic Gamla Stan neighborhood to the incredibly modern city center, Stockholm is among the best places to live in the world and you won’t go wrong with language programs here. If you like the sound of colorful subway tunnels and trick-or-treating on Easter, set up your language learning headquarters in Stockholm and learn the joys of “After Work.”

The other main hub for language programs in Sweden, Uppsala, has the feel of a typical university town, but remains a center of cultural significance. Originally a 6th-century religious village where human sacrifices were made to ancient Nordic gods, Uppsala has expanded to become a city steeped in academic excellence and riverside beauty. Language students coming to Uppsala to learn Swedish typically come during the summer months, as the winter can be pretty harsh. For those looking for a chill party vibe, but good learning atmosphere, or authentic cultural events without the tourists, Uppsala is the perfect destination for language study in Sweden.