Peer Biography: Maja from Sweden
Research on Sweden
At every level of education in Sweden, schooling is free, even at the university level. Sweden spends much more money on its education than most countries do. A school term goes from August to December then another one from January to June (World Education Encyclopedia, 1322). There is no single teaching method preferred by the state, as long as the school meets the state-approved standards (World Education Encyclopedia, 1325), a policy that was determined by the Education Act of 1985 (Sas, 111). Schools simply follow the standards that the National Agency for Education develops (World Education Encyclopedia, 1329). The Agency assesses knowledge through national tests and assessment guides for teachers. It also evaluates schools and provides support for issues like problems in subjects or others, like bullying (Agency). Literacy rates in Sweden are 99% (World Education Encyclopedia).
The first nine years of school are mandatory, starting at age six or seven. Pre-school focuses on group activities, well-balanced routines, and healthy lifestyles (Sas, 112). In the fall of 2008, there were, on average, 5.3 children per teacher in pre-schools in Sweden (Agency).
After the first nine years, about 98% of students continue schooling. Secondary schools called the gymnasia prepare students for college (World Education Encyclopedia, 1326). All curricula emphasize democracy and respect for others. There are 17 national programs (tracks) from which students can follow (like business, science, or arts) and core subjects that every student must take (like English and math). There are also 15-week vocational programs that students can take. All schooling has a heavy emphasis on safety and health (Sas, 113). In spring 2008, female students in both compulsory and upper secondary schools had higher grades than their male counterparts (Agency).
Colleges and universities are competitive because they are limited to a certain number of acceptances each year (World Education Encyclopedia, 1327). The Higher Education Act governs higher education (Sas, 111), and universities have academic freedom and no common curriculum (Sas, 114). All university students must join a student union, often one under the umbrella group called the National Association of Student Unions (World Education Encyclopedia, 1328).
Interview Answers
Maja told me that you have to be one year old before you start school. So moms and dads have to be home with their kids until they’re one year old. School starts at six, but the real school starts when you’re seven. It’s more like Kindergarten at six. School is set up with elementary school, middle school, and high school, like in the United States.
In high school there are tracks that they call programs that focus on different subjects. There are some subjects that everyone needs to study, like English, math, Swedish, and similar subjects, but the students also join the programs. Maja studied science, so she studied chemistry, physics, and biology. A few of her friends were in the exercise sciences program, they if they were in sports, like soccer, they could play in school and study. She also had some friends who studied music, so they had music classes. So while her friends were in music or exercise science classes, Maja took the sciences, which were much more difficult classes. Maja mentioned that if she wanted to apply to college to get a science degree, she could not have unless she had taken the science program in high school.
Maja learned three languages in high school: Swedish, English, and French. Unlike in America, where learning that many languages at once would indicate a language magnet school, there was no particular emphasis at Maja's school on languages. Nor was there a particular emphasis on math, science, or any other subject.
Everyone needs to study English from ten years of age until they graduate at 18. I asked Maja if, with eight years or study, most people became pretty good at English. She hesitated then replied that it depends on who you are comparing the English students to, but generally, yes. I found it very interesting that Swedish students have many opportunities to use their English (as opposed to stories I have heard of English students in China who often have to wander around tourist sites to try to have a conversation with a native English speaker). Maja said there are subtitles at the movies and that all of the music on the radio is American. Maja's two older sisters are in Swedish colleges now, and almost all of their books are in English.
In addition to formal schooling, Maja trained in gymnastics, soccer, handball, and figure skating. She was not a part of any religious organizations or any other clubs. She said that these mostly taught her to cooperate, have respect for everyone, and to accept that no one can always be the best, even if you want to be. I find that to be in stark contrast to American schools, where students are taught that we can achieve anything we set our minds to and that effort is worth a lot.
Maja's family and friends always taught her to be respectful, helpful, and honest. Students are also taught that everyone is equal and that everyone should have the same opportunities to have a good and happy life. She said that everything is very equal in Sweden. Everyone has the same opportunities. All schooling, even college, is free, and students get a free school lunch up to high school. She said that it does not matter if you are poor, rich, black, white, or different in some other way; everyone is treated the same.
Maja believes that her education is very similar to many other students in Sweden because she went to a public school like most every other student in Sweden. She thinks that some of the values she grew up with are fading in the new technological era. She says Sweden is too equal, students now do not have enough respect, and that cellphones, Facebook, and other means of communication too easily distract students. She also thinks that because school is free, students in Sweden do not study as hard as students do in America. Maja says she even feels sorry for many of her teachers because many Swedish students (even before the age of cell phones) did not respect teachers highly.
Almost everyone in Sweden goes to college. Maja said that you do not have to, but everyone she knows is in or planning on going to college. Admissions to universities are usually based on a student’s grades in high school. There is a standardized test, and some schools look at it, but most universities base their decisions on high school grades.
Maja decided to take a gap years before college. She went to Thailand for a month last year and is now and au pair for a family here in Atlanta and is taking a few English and other night classes here at my university. Her applications to attend college next fall are due in a few months. She is taking a gap year because she did not know what she wanted to study in college. She came to America because she also wanted to improve her English. Maja said that you have to know what you want to study before going to Swedish university. Students apply to specific programs, similar to those in high school. She said you are kind of stuck in whatever program you apply to, unless you move to one that is very similar.
Contrary to my research, Maja said that students do not have to join a union once they get to college, but many do anyway because it is fun. She does not know much about them, though, because she is not in college there yet, but her friends joined many different ones. She said that some unions have big parties or other events, which is why students like to join them.
Statement
I asked Maja if she thought her education was typical for a Swedish student, and she said yes because she went to a public school, like most students. I also believe her education was typical because everything she told me, with the exception that unions in college are mandatory, was in line with my research. I also believe that her education was typical because Sweden is very homogenous, the country has a focus on equality, and education is controlled at the national level, so she would have received a very similar education to every other student in Sweden.
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