Concordia Language Villages staff may speak a Village language, creatively teach culture, work and play hard. They also develop skills and qualities that will make them excellent employees in any field.
Sjölunden
Swedish Language Village
About the Village
Välkommen till Sjölunden, our Swedish language and cultural immersion program. Here, in a Village of traditional svenska stugor (Swedish cottages) resembling a small fishing village, you will be surrounded by the sights, sounds, flavors and customs of Scandinavia’s most populous nation. Learn the language and the culture of the country that has not fought a war in 200 years, serves up scrumptious foods and is the home of popular music (ABBA), cars (Saab) and furniture (Ikea). Experienced and native speakers will help you live the language of one of the world’s most prosperous and progressive countries, one that just happens to have also been the ancestral home of thousands of Minnesotans.
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Life at Sjölunden
Traditional Weaving
Performing and Learning
Culturally Appropriate Cuisine
Community Building
Village Bank
Group Dance Time
Traditional Desserts
Village Store
Lifelong Friendships
Swimming in Turtle River Lake
Science Fun!
Cabin Time
Experience Sjölunden
Upcoming Swedish Camps & Programs
Join us for an overnight Swedish immersion program for adults this spring at Sjölunden! Immerse yourself in Swedish language and culture with engaging activities, small language learning groups and delicious culturally appropriate meals. Standard price $1305 65+ and students $1205 Minimum deposit $125
Registration closes October 04, 2026
Join us for an overnight Swedish immersion program for adults this spring at Sjölunden! Immerse yourself in Swedish language and culture with engaging activities, small language learning groups and delicious culturally appropriate meals. Standard price $695 65+ price: $645 College student price: $545 Minimum registration fee $75
Registration closes March 25, 2027
Family programs are designed for family units that include at least one adult (age 19 or older) and one child (age 18 or younger). Individual adults should register for our Adult Programs instead. Adult programs provide more and more intensive opportunities for language learning geared specifically towards adult learners. Individual adults not attending with minor children may request an exception to this policy, please contact clvregister@cord.edu to start this process. All attendees, regardless of age, need to register individually for the Family Programs. Tuition is as follows: Adult participants: $435 each Youth participants: $235 each Participants ages 3 and under: Free All paying participants must pay a $50 registration fee to save a spot.
Registration closes March 25, 2027
Government & Corporate Programs
A global outlook is important for success in the domestic and international arena. Concordia Language Villages offers customized corporate, government and military training programs to meet the specific needs of our clients.
Learn About Scholarship Opportunities
Need-based scholarships are available for Arabic summer youth immersion sessions through the Passport Fund. Scholarships are based on a family’s adjusted gross income, number of dependents and the length of the session.
Additionally, the Minnesota Office of Higher Education offers a $1,000 stipend for Minnesota students who qualify for free or reduced lunch at school.
Our Location: Sjölunden
Turtle River Lake
Our Swedish Language Village opened in 1975. Since 2006, we have been adding new, dedicated, culturally authentic Swedish facilities. The weaving studio (vävstugan) and boathouse (båthuset) are highlights of the site. The weaving studio’s red interwoven wood exterior and airy open indoor spaces reflect a Swedish architecture style found in a traditional fishing village.
Modern cabins house up to 14 villagers and staff in bunks, with bathrooms, shower facilities and classrooms. An outdoor dance pavilion, beautiful swimming beach and sport field offer plenty of opportunity for fun in the sun.
10915 Ojutkangastie NE, Bemidji, MN 56601
Meet Our Team
Read more about our professional staff at Sjölunden, our Swedish Language Village.
Emily Kajsa Hunter
Dean
Emily Kajsa Hunter is the dean of Sjölunden ,the Swedish Language Village. Kajsa was a Swedish villager and has been a staff member since 2000 and the dean of Sjölunden since 2014. During the academic year, Kajsa is a school psychologist in a public school district in Maryland. She also holds a master's degree in Cultural Identity Studies from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland and a California pre-K-12 teaching credential.
Jessica Dina Korynta
Program Leader
Jessica Dina Korynta is part of the leadership team of Skogfjorden, the Norwegian Language Village. Dina has been a villager, credit villager, counselor, volunteer, business manager and staff counselor as well as now leading the Nordic Holiday Weekend. Dina earned her B.A. in Linguistics with a minor in Scandinavian Studies from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities.