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Study abroad in
Finland
An incredible opportunity to experience the life of a Finnish student, stepping into the shoes of a local teenager and living with a Finnish host family.
Going with WEP is best
Since 1988, a wide choice of destinations and comprehensive assistance before, during and after your overseas program. WEP is the ideal partner for your adventure.
We also get to choose who we travel with: our schools, host families and overseas partner organisations are carefully selected.
We offer a custom-made insurance policy, specifically designed for our participants, and we have a solid network behind us.
Emergency assistance, overseas and from Australia, is available 7 days out of 7, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Allowing all our participants to live their desired overseas experience is a mission, a challenge we're thrilled to accept.
Why study in Finland?
An adventurous, safe Nordic country with a world-class education system offering a well-balanced student life, affording you to possibility to concentrate on your studies while still having time to explore the stunning surroundings. Finland is hard to beat as a destination to study abroad!
Known for its unspoilt nature and mystic landscapes, including countless lakes, islands and forests, Finland is a true paradise for outdoor enthusiasts and sport lovers. Consistently ranked as one of the happiest countries in the world, Finland also has a unique cultural identity, a fascinating language and a fair share of interesting traditions and social norms, including the famous Finnish saunas, traditional foods, a passion for design, and an extensive coffee culture!
Throw yourself into this unique Arctic country and experience firsthand the Finnish way of life, deeply connected to the environment and the pace of nature. You'll get use to 24 hours of sunlight in the summer and many hours of darkness in winter, you you'll get to experience other unique natural phenomenon such as the breathtaking Northern Lights.
Studying in Finland will be a mystical experience of discovery and self-advancement, in a country that embraces education for a better life and a brighter future for everyone.
Study in Finland with WEP
Through a WEP high school student exchange program, you'll have the incredible opportunity to discover Finland from the inside.
You will step into the shoes of a Finnish teenager, becoming part of a welcoming host family who will take you in as one of their own, and attending a Finnish secondary school just like any local students. You will gain unique insight into your host country's culture, learn the Finnish language, and make memories to last a lifetime.
The Finnish education system
In Finland, education is of a high standard and largely free of charge, ensuring everyone has equal opportunities to receive high quality education and grow up to become active citizens. In fact, all children and young people have an obligation to study, from pre-primary education (at the age 6) all the way through to completion of upper secondary education.
The various phases of schooling including one year of pre-primary education, followed by comprehensive (or basic) education for a total of nine years (including primary and lower secondary school); after this, students can either enter general upper secondary school or vocational education for a further three years, until they either graduate or turn 18.
Any student from the EU or EEA wishing to undertake higher education and training in Finland can do so free of charge, at one of the many top-quality universities (including the more practice-oriented universities of applied sciences) or other tertiary education providers.
FAQ
To participante in a high school exchange program to Finland, you need to be between 16 and 17 years old on departure, have a C grade average, be a non-smoker, and have positive personal traits, such as being motivated, curious, tolerant, open and adaptable. You also need to be physically and emotionally healthy - please discuss any specific conditions or requirements with WEP in advance.
Our high school exchange programs in Finland are either an academic semester or an academic year in duration. The exact length depends on the departure period - please contact WEP for more information.
To decide which program duration is best for you, you should reflect on what you would like to achieve through the program, and discuss your preferences both with your family, to make sure they are on board, and with your school, to ensure that you understand their policy regarding re-integrating into Australian schooling and any requirements to repeat school back home.
It's always best to check our website and/on obtain an online quote to see updated program prices.
We know a high school exchange program oversaes is a significant financial investment. We do our best to offer the best possible prices, which vary depending on the destination and chosen program, and provide discounts and special promotions to help towards the cost. As a not-for-profit organisation working with international partners to provide exchange programs in a variety of countries, our program fees are based solely on the cost of program components, both in Australia and overseas. The program fee is allocated between the overseas organisation, WEP Australia, travel and independent contractors for flights and insurance.
You will live with a Finnish volunteer host family, who may be located anywhere in the country.