trips to sweden
From Parades to Fika’s, our Sister City trips are pure joy!
Every July, Scandia residents trade pine forests and lakes for… well, pine forests and lakes in Sweden. Our Sister City, Mellerud, feels both familiar and new—where neighbors open their homes, parade floats roll down the main street, and you’ll learn that “fika” is basically coffee and pastries elevated to an art form.
This isn’t a bus tour with headsets kind of trip. It’s about living like a local. You’ll spend a week with a Swedish host family, sharing meals, stories, and laughter. One day you may find yourself marching in the annual summer parade, the next exploring the Dalsland Art Museum or sipping coffee by Lake Vänern. And yes, birthdays here come with cake in bed and singing before sunrise—don’t say we didn’t warn you.
When and How Long
The trip typically runs July 1–9, timed with Mellerud’s annual summer festival. It’s one action-packed week that still leaves plenty of time for relaxed walks, fishing, or shopping in the huge candy store.
What You’ll Experience
- Home stays: Be welcomed like family by generous Mellerud hosts.
- Festival fun: March in the summer parade and enjoy live music, food, and dancing.
- Culture & history: Visit the Mellerud Museum, Håverud Aqueduct, local churches, and the quirky Tomte Museum.
- Daily life: Morning coffee, evening conversation, card games, hikes, and farm visits—it’s the little routines that make the biggest memories.
WHO SHOULD GO
If your idea of travel is checking boxes on a list, this might not be for you. But if you value connection over checklists, enjoy learning new traditions, and don’t mind trying pickled herring at least once, this trip is for you. Past travelers have ranged from teens to grandparents, all coming home with lifelong friendships.
How to Apply
Applications and a Trip Info Packet for the 2026 trip to Mellerud are available here.
Dates are July 1st through July 9, 2026. Space is limited to about ten participants, with the deadline being November 1, 2025.
Why it Matters
Every exchange strengthens the bond between Scandia and Mellerud. The friendships formed overseas don’t end when the plane lands—they ripple back into Scandia, enriching our schools, events, and community life.
Join us for the opportunity of a lifetime—at a down-to-earth price and with memories that last forever.
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