For basic information and a statistical overview of United Nations member countries and links to local newspapers, visit:http://cyberschoolbus.un.org/infonation/index.asp

To review the on-line version of the World Factbook with information about this country as compiled by the CIA, please visit: http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/index.html

For information about Nordic countries (Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Iceland and Norway) and related activities in the US, visit: http://www.nordiccalendar.com/

The following information is generalized and compiled from questions posed to the agents and interviewers in Sweden. Although camp staff from Sweden may or may not have had these experiences/beliefs, Camp America wishes to share this general information with our Camp Directors.

Health

1. Innoculation for TB (Tuberculosis)
   TB does not exist in Sweden so it is not very common to be inoculated against TB.
2. Free health service
   Not free but at low cost. Hospitalization is free. Visiting a doctor is about $20.
3. Cost and regularity of visits to the dentist
   They do go regularly. It is very expensive.
4. "Eating Disorders"
   Common

Education

1. Percentage of 17 year olds enrolled in secondary schools: 96 (compared with 79 in the US).
2. Number of bachelor’s degree recipients per 100 people of typical graduation age in 2003: 38.4 (compared with 33.4 in the US).
3. Alternatives chosen if not attending university
   They can work at offices, study to become a nurse etc.
4. Start and finish of the academic year
   August - June

English Language Skills

1. Is English a compulsory subject in the schools in your country?
   Yes.
2. Description of the study of English in schools e.g. from what age English is taught, how many years is English compulsory, courses focused on written or oral skills
   Since they start school. Focus lies on both written and oral skills.

Childcare

1. Common attitudes to and types of discipline for children
   Only oral discipline.
2. Physical discipline of children
   Never

Religion

1. Most common religions
   Protestant
2. Practice of religion by young people
   no
3. Would a young person choose to practice a religion that is different than her family's religion
   Almost never
4. Common religious practices e.g. special practices or dietary restrictions
   No.

Telephone

1. Telephones in the home
   yes
2. Would most parents/family speak English well enough to take a message from an American Camp Director?
   yes
3. Computer or e-mail access
   yes

Diet

1. Attitudes to eating meat
   Yes
2. Vegetarianism
   Yes
3. Other common dietary traditions
   Yes, cultural traditions but not restrictions.

Miscellaneous

1. Freedom of their family to socialize and date
   Yes
2. Curfews at home
   It happens from time to time
3. Sharing household chores
   yes
4. Diversity of population
   yes
   If so, would this be represented in the young people you would recruit?
   yes
5. Three main characteristics of the people
   Good English, Independent, honest
6. Attitudes to nudity both in and out of the home e.g. sunbathing in the nude?
   Not very common

Au Pair in America®, 2007