Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland make up Scandinavia. They are a force in international peacekeeping, models of social welfare, and leaders in global industries, from design to technology. The Scandinavian Studies Department integrates students with this vibrant region's diverse cultures, histories, and roles in the global society including the relationship with the Global South, Europe, and North America. Gustavus's program is one of the largest in the country. A diverse group of faculty from across the campus teach classes in the Department and closely mentor you, from learning Swedish to understanding public health and environmentalism in Scandinavia. In an increasingly globalized world, Scandinavian Studies is a lens for understanding world issues and how different societies approach them.
As a Scandinavian Studies student at Gustavus, you are at one of the best places to study the Nordic region in the United States, including being the college that teaches the largest number of students Swedish each year in the country. Located in beautiful St. Peter, MN, the Gustavus Adolphus campus gives you a fun and supportive place to study with proximity to big-city events and cultural activities. You're minutes away from the medium-sized city of Mankato and an hour from the large metropolitan area of the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Further north, you'll find majestic Lake Superior and the Boundary Waters Wilderness Area. Founded by Swedish immigrants, the College has a contemporary view of its Scandinavian heritage.
As a Scandinavian Studies major or minor, you will gain proficiency with Swedish language courses. You will also take classes taught in English about Nordic history, literature, cinema, and theatre. Scandinavian Studies courses are interdisciplinary, focusing on pan-Nordic topics from Nordic mythology to politics and social change. Scandinavian Studies students must also study abroad for at least one semester, with five unique study away opportunities across Scandinavia. This robust program has prepared Scandinavian Studies graduates for successful careers in diplomacy, environmental advocacy, politics, international business and finance, public health and human services, education, and more.
Embark on a transformative educational journey by choosing to study abroad in Scandinavia. At Gustavus, we strongly encourage students to take advantage of the numerous opportunities and financial support available to explore learning in Scandinavian. With three exchange partner institutions in Sweden and Gustavus-led travel programs, you can immerse yourself in a unique learning environment, fostering personal and academic growth. Studying in Scandinavia provides a chance to explore and appreciate the vibrant history, economic innovation, commitment to sustainability and social welfare, picturesque landscapes, and welcoming communities that define the Nordic region.
Gustavus's Scandinavian Studies students journey to the Arctic Circle, spend Thursday nights connecting over "fika" (coffee and treats) at the Swedish House, and meet award-winning artists and scholars who visit annually from the Nordic region. The faculty works closely with students and connects them with global opportunities, from internships in Scandinavia to summer archival research jobs.
Explore Opportunities in Scandinavian Studies
In the world of Scandinavian Studies at Gustavus you find a global, forward-thinking, and multidisciplinary community of students and faculty who forge cross-cultural bonds. Meet members of this vibrant group that embraces diverse perspectives and collaborative learning.
“It’s why I teach, because really it means I get to be a student for life.” What are your areas of research and teaching expertise? Nordic colonialisms and postcolonial studies, comparative literature, Swedish/Gustavus settler history, Indigenous relations, global Nordic cinema, Swedish language and literature, diversity and social change in the global North What is your […]
When you join the Scandinavian Studies Department at Gustavus Adolphus you become part of a close-knit and supportive group of learners encouraging each other's academic and personal growth. This community extends past graduation to a well-connected alumni network that actively supports current students and maintains strong ties to each other and the Department.
2020-21 Department of Scandinavian Studies Senior Major Colloquium Friday, 4/30/21: 4:00-6:00 p.m. Online via Zoom: Miranda Johnsen & Elizabeth Z. Johnson Join the Department of Scandinavian Studies at our annual Senior Major Colloquium this Friday, April 30th, from 4:00-6:00 p.m. as we showcase the excellent academic work of and celebrate our two […]
