Optional Excursions #
The Island of Gotland (Fall Semester) #
The Island of Gotland is one of the most beautiful and historically significant islands in the world, sitting about 56 miles east of mainland Sweden in the Baltic Sea. The first Stone Age settlers came to the island 7,000 years ago and many traces of their dwellings can still be seen, along with limestone picture stones, unique to Gotland, covered with mythological scenes and depictions of ships and warriors.
We’ll stay on the island’s northwest coast in the medieval city of Visby, a popular tourist destination and home to a Viking village during the 9th century. Today, the city is a UNESCO world heritage site and arguably the best-preserved medieval city in Scandinavia. Outside of the city, Gotland’s landscape ranges from desolate heaths to lush meadows, spectacular cliffs and sandy beaches. Activities typically include a tour of Medieval churches and burial grounds, a guided visit to the Fornsalen Viking museum, the opportunity to bike or hike in the surrounding countryside, and a tour of a local microbrewery.
Students are advised to pack a windproof/water-resistant jacket, comfortable walking shoes, and swimwear.
Cost and Registration #
Fall 2025: $625
Fall 2026: $650
This cost includes round trip transportation, accommodations, activities, and all meals.
You must register to attend the excursion on your registration form. The excursion fee will be included on your Additional Expenses invoice, with payment due by April 1 (fall term and academic year) or October 15 (spring term). We begin making arrangements upon registration, so payment is non-refundable. However, if the Program must cancel the trip for any reason, you will be refunded in the full amount.
Fee Waiver #
If you receive financial aid but your aid doesn’t cover this excursion fees, you can request a fee waiver during registration. Please ask your Financial Aid Office or similar to complete the Fee Waiver Form by April 1 (fall term and academic year) or October 15 (spring term).
In accepting this aid, you are committing to attend the excursion for which you have registered. Excursion fees are non-refundable because we immediately begin making financial commitments on your behalf. Consequently, if you decide for any reason not to attend the excursion for which you have registered, you will be responsible for the full cost of the excursion fees. You will be invoiced upon your decision not to attend the excursion. Exceptions will only be granted for emergency medical issues with an attestation from your treating physician.
The Arctic Circle (Spring Semester) #
Sweden is the land of the midnight sun in the summer, but winter in the Arctic is breathtaking. The landscape is strikingly beautiful from its sparkling frozen lakes to the snowy mountains where reindeer are herded by the indigenous Sámi people. On clear, cloudless nights, you might also see the majestic Northern Lights streak across the sky. This trip to explore northern Sweden is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
We’ll stay in at a ski lodge in the beautiful tundra of Swedish Lapland. Activities typically include dog sledding, snowshoeing, alpine skiing, visiting a traditional Sámi village, and touring the world-famous Ice Hotel. You’ll also have the opportunity for additional alpine ski touring, cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, snowboarding, or sledding at your own expense. If we’re lucky, you’ll also have a chance to see the beautiful Northern Lights! (Of course, we cannot control or guarantee this meteorological event.)
Students are advised to pack thermal base layers, a warm winter jacket, snow pants, warm boots, a warm hat, and gloves. Skiwear and winter sports equipment are available to rent or buy at the lodge’s sport shop.
Cost and Registration #
Spring 2026: $700
Spring 2027: $725
This cost includes round trip transportation, accommodations, activities, and all meals.
You must register to attend the excursion on your registration form. The excursion fee will be included on your Additional Expenses invoice, with payment due by April 1 (fall term and academic year) or October 15 (spring term). We begin making arrangements upon registration, so payment is non-refundable. However, if the Program must cancel the trip for any reason, you will be refunded in the full amount.
Fee Waiver #
If you receive financial aid but your aid doesn’t cover this excursion fees, you can request a fee waiver during registration. Please ask your Financial Aid Office or similar to complete the Fee Waiver Form by April 1 (fall term and academic year) or October 15 (spring term).
In accepting this aid, you are committing to attend the excursion for which you have registered. Excursion fees are non-refundable because we immediately begin making financial commitments on your behalf. Consequently, if you decide for any reason not to attend the excursion for which you have registered, you will be responsible for the full cost of the excursion fees. You will be invoiced upon your decision not to attend the excursion. Exceptions will only be granted for emergency medical issues with an attestation from your treating physician.