Program Overview
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Scandinavian Studies: Overview

Advantages of Studying Swedish
Get off the beaten track: Study Swedish! The Department regularly offers four semesters of Swedish, plus independent studies, conversation courses, internships for credit, and a team-taught course on Scandinavian Civilization. A minor in Scandinavian Studies is also available.

One major advantage of studying a “less commonly taught language” such as Swedish is that the students have more influence over the course. Whether the students are interested in music, history, film, literature‚ or political science, the course can be tailored to their interests. We use a wide range of materials such as newspapers; children’s, youth, and adult literature; poetry, music, and movies. Currently, the second-year students correspond regularly via e-mail with Swedish students in Helsingborg.

The small class size in Swedish language courses makes the class highly interactive. The focus is on communication from the very beginning. Students are able to use the language from day one. The atmosphere is friendly and cooperative, with room for both fun and challenging discussions. Students get to know each other as well as the local Scandinavian community.

Scandinavian Events
The Scandinavian Studies Program proudly sponsors the annual Signe Karlström Event, which has featured talks by major scholars and, more recently, public performances by Scandinavian artists.

For more information on our Scandinavian Program, contact the Director, Johanna Eriksson.

Swedish as a Language of Business and Engineering

Studying a foreign language prepares students to participate in an expanding global workplace. Sweden is highly industrialized and it invests more money in research per capita than any country in the world, including the U.S. Many companies based in Sweden can offer a global career, as for example Volvo, SAAB, Ericsson, ABB, Pharmacia and Upjohn, and IKEA. Sweden is also known as a "model welfare state," and it is instructive to compare Sweden with the U.S. in this and many other ways.

The Scandinavian Program is eager to help students arrange internships in Scandinavian countries, and has funding available to help subsidize the cost.

Study Abroad in Scandinavia

The Michigan-Uppsala University Exchange Program

The Michigan-Uppsala undergraduate exchange gives U of M students with junior and senior standing the opportunity to study for a full academic year and earn approximately 30 credits at Uppsala University. Each U of M participant is assigned an Uppsala faculty member as "liason officer," and is fully integrated into Swedish student life. U of M students receive in-residence credit.

Courses are offered in the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities. Many classes are taught in English for students with less than four semesters of Swedish or the equivalent. Exchange students typically focus on Swedish language and Scandinavian area studies, taking courses in Swedish politics; Swedish history, art, and music; Swedish literature; the history and culture of Finland; and Finnish literary texts. Course information is available in the Office of International Programs as well as from Uppsala University's website.

Program Brochure

For more information and application materials, visit the Office of International Programs (OIP), G513 Michigan Union, or call (734) 764-4311.