The world’s happiest people

Denmark has a high standard of living and has repeatedly been named as the “happiest country in the world”. The country has great standards of health, welfare and education. The proximity to Europe is noticed by the open and social mentality and you will quickly get into the lifestyle. Danish is a fun language to learn and it is also very useful in the rest of Scandinavia. The country is famous for its minimalistic design and you will soon fall in love with both the Danish fashion and the interior, and not to forget – the friendly Danish people.

Population: 5.6 million
Area: 43 000 km2
Capital: Copenhagen
Borders: Sweden, Germany
Language: Danish
National holiday: June 5

Attending high school in Denmark

At high school in Denmark, you are expected to be active and participate in class discussions. You will probably attend the second of the three years, and there are no school uniforms.

The school year at high school in Denmark

High school in Denmark is called "gymnasium" and the Danes spend three years there. When they have completed these years with the right grades, they are eligible for higher education and can apply to university or other higher education. Most exchange students are placed in the second year of "gymnasium".

The Danish high school year begins in August and ends in June of the following year. The schedule may vary, but you begin no earlier than 8 am and end no later than 4 pm. The Danish school year isn't divided into semesters, it runs on with breaks in the autumn and at Christmas, Easter and summer. The summer holidays last from the end of June until early August. Exchange students often spend the school breaks with their host families.

Choosing subjects and required courses

The subjects that students study vary depending on which focus they choose. Exchange students often study the compulsory subjects such as Danish, mathematics and English. You can also study additional languages, such as French, German, Spanish or Latin, and other subjects, such as biology, history, Danish literature, art and music. The number of subjects may vary from school to school, and the study counsellor or principal at your school will help you make the right choices.

Experience more at high school

Physical education and sports are very popular in Denmark. The main sport is football, as in so many other places, and that goes for both boys and girls. You will have a few physical education lessons on your schedule, but beyond that, schools seldom offer activities. However, there are many exciting leisure activities elsewhere. Your host family and your STS area representative are happy to help you find things that interest you.

Living with a host family

You will probably experience a lot of freedom in your Danish host family, but the freedom is linked to responsibility. And expect the occasional ironic comment if they think you do not behave as they expect you to.

Freedom with responsibility

Danish teenagers live a pretty free life, compared with other countries. They have been brought up to be independent and to critically question what is happening around them. When Danish teenagers have friends over, they often stay in their room and hang out there, but your family will want to meet them and be introduced.

Not so many rules

Usually, Danish families have fairly few rules, they expect you to be a responsible person who can take care of yourself. Your host family expects you to act like an adult and make sure you get enough sleep. On weekdays, teenagers are seldom out after 11 pm.

Helping out – of course

When it comes to delegating chores, your host family may say that they don't do that, but you will notice what is expected, and how other family members do things. You are expected to behave responsibly and to help when it is needed. You are naturally expected to keep your own room tidy, and help with the dishes, laundry, gardening and anything else that needs to be done, just like all the rest of the family.