Work or Study in Scandanavia - myFootpath

Denmark. Finland. Iceland. Norway. Sweden. Through the American-Scandinavian Foundation (ASF), you have the opportunity to intern, teach or study in not just one, but five different countries.

How ASF Works: ASF’s mission is to foster cultural exchange between American and Scandinavian countries through grants, fellowships, and intern and teaching programs. There’s three different ways you can spend a year (or two or three) immersing yourself in Scandinavian culture. Here’s the breakdown:

• Intern in Scandinavia
  Check out ASF’s internships will give you a chance to go abroad and get experience in your chosen field. Recent interns have had a chance to perform lab work at a chemical firm in Sweden (perfect for you chemistry majors out there) and study forestry at the Finnish Forest Research Institute (which covers anyone who majored in forestry, biology, biotechnology, ecology, environmental science, and related fields). Watch their website for upcoming internship opportunities and make sure to apply early. The length of the internship will depend on the position, but regardless, they’ll set you up with housing, which their website estimates at $170 – $310 per month. Travel fees and work permits are up to you to take care of. You also have to have proof or insurance, or enroll in ASF’s group policy.

• Teach English in Finland
  If you’re at least 21, are a college junior or senior or have recently graduated, and are a native English speaker, you can apply for a paid teaching position in Finland. Placements range from kindergartens to colleges to private institutions. This is a paid gig, you just have to get yourself there and have insurance (or enroll in ASF’s group policy).

• Apply for Fellowships and Grants
  The Icelandic Crafts Fund, The King Olav V Fund and The Crown Princess Märtha Fellowship Fund all have one thing in common: they’re part of ASF’s impressive fellowship and grant programs designed to help you visit Scandinavia. If you have proficiency in a Scandinavian language, you can take advantage of $23,000 in fellowships and $5,000 in grants to study a field of your choosing (providing that the project requires a stay in Scandinavia, of course). To qualify, you must be a U.S. citizen and be a college graduate.

Benefits of the American-Scandinavian Foundation:
You have the opportunity to live and work in one of five different countries, as well as travel to visit their neighbors during your stay. Plus, you’ll receive practical, on-the-job training that you can use to jump-start your career once you’re back in the States.

For more information on the American-Scandinavian Foundation:
Visit their homepage, http://www.amscan.org/about.html, for basic information on the organization, traveling, getting your visa, and more. For specific information on teaching and internship programs, visit http://www.amscan.org/training_us_to_scan.html. For grant and fellowship information, visit http://www.amscan.org/grants_americans.html.