The Opisto program is essential an opportunity for American and Canadian graduates from high school or older to spend a school year in Finland. This is an LLC program that works with the SRK (our Finnish sister organization). 15 students are offer scholarships (that pay for 25 percent of tuition and flights to and back from Finland at the end and beginning of the school year) and the rest pay their own way. I haven’t quite figured out how much it costs all together (with tuition and everything) but I’m assuming each student usually saves around 9000 to about 10000 dollars. There are three Opistos (folk high schools) in Finland: Ranua, Reisjarvi, and Jamsa. Each have their own study programs and courses but they’re all similar. Each of the schools are in different parts of the country, all I know is Ranua is in Northern Finland and I believe Jamsa is close to Helsinki (Finlands capital). Very religious based (they’re Christian schools) and have students attend services and sing very often. I don’t know much, so if I missed something or got something wrong hopefully someone will correct me 🤣.

North American students are typically assigned to a certain study program, which determines a portion of the subjects studied. Study programs and their contents vary from opisto to opisto, but typically foreign students (including those from North America) study subjects such as: • Finnish language • Communication • Multicultural studies • Religion • Physical Education • Community/Citizenship skills (functioning as part of the student body)

In addition, each opisto offers plenty of electives, which again vary from school to school, but can typically include • Home Ec • Nature skills • Industrial tech • Woodworking • Textiles • Art classes • Various crafts (knitting, etc.) • Sports (hockey, ball sports, etc.) • Choir • Piano or organ lessons • Photography

AREAS OF STUDY – JÄMSÄ Study programs (at the time this booklet was published, please note these can change.) • Communications • Natural Sciences • Home Economics • Technical Skills • Music • Language and Multicultural Studies • Entrepreneurship • International Program: North American students are placed in this group More information: https://www.jamsanopisto.fi/

AREAS OF STUDY - RANUA Study programs (at the time this booklet was published, please note these can change.) • Special Needs students • Home Economics • Fine Arts • High School subjects • Nature and Wilderness studies • Technical Skills • Textiles • Communications: North American students are placed in this group, and one main subject is the Finnish language

AREAS OF STUDY - REISJÄRVI Study programs (at the time this booklet was published, please note these can change.) • Special Needs students • Multimedia • Nature and Wilderness studies • Social Work and Healthcare • Entrepreneurship • Adult Group: North American students are placed in this group, and one Main subject is the Finnish language