Södra Vätterbygdens Folkhögskola (SVF) College Line
The international exchange program between Södra Vätterbygdens Folkhögskola (SVF) and North Park University, established in 1976, is one of the longest-running programs of its kind between Sweden and the United States.
The College Line is a one-year program, with the fall semester at SVF in Jönköping, Sweden, and the spring semester at North Park University in Chicago. About 15 North Park students study alongside 15 SVF students each semester.
The fall semester focuses on language studies—Swedish for North Park students and English for SVF students—along with courses in international relations, the Mediterranean world, religion, and politics. SVF students also take a course taught by a North Park guest professor in their area of expertise.
Spring semester at North Park
To spend the spring semester at North Park University, SVF students must:
- Complete North Park’s online application for international exchange students
- Provide a copy of your passport photo
- Provide a copy of your CSN letter
- Submit official TOEFL score/results
SVF students register for spring classes during the fall semester. A list of available courses (mostly 4 credits each) will be provided by the North Park professor in October. Not all courses are available to SVF College Line students.
To maintain J-1 visa status, students must register for 12–17 credit hours (3–4 courses). Course changes are allowed up to the start of classes, as long as space is available.
English testing and proficiency
SVF students will take an English-proficiency test during North Park’s international student orientation, assessing speaking, writing, and reading skills. If improvement is needed, students must register for an appropriate ESL or writing course. Two ESL courses fulfill North Park’s foreign language graduation requirement.
Earn a degree at North Park
SVF students may continue their studies at North Park to earn a bachelor’s degree. The courses taken during the College Line semester are transferable to North Park, and with strategic planning, students can complete their degree in as little as two additional years. To apply for full admission, students must apply as degree-seeking international students during the spring semester of College Line.
Most Swedish students utilize CSN loans and grants, and NPU’s Scandinavian Grant helps reduce the cost to match CSN funding.