Languages

Sjölunden

Swedish Language Village
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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.

Our Swedish Location
Sjölunden
Traditional Weaving
Sjölunden
Performing and Learning
Sjölunden
Culturally Appropriate Cuisine
Sjölunden
Community Building
Sjölunden
Village Bank
Sjölunden
Group Dance Time
Sjölunden
Traditional Desserts
Sjölunden
Village Store
Sjölunden
Lifelong Friendships
Sjölunden
Swimming in Turtle River Lake
Sjölunden
Science Fun!
Sjölunden
Cabin Time
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Experience

Sjölunden

A Lifetime of Learning

From our flagship summer youth camps to family programs and adults-only sessions, Concordia Language Villages provides a lifetime of language learning and cultural adventure. Find the program that’s right for you!

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Youth Overnight

Season: Summer

Duration: 1 Week | 2 Weeks | 4 Weeks

Our flagship Language Village camps where language comes to life. A fully immersive cultural experience.

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High School Credit

Season: Year-round

Duration: 4 Weeks | 24 Weeks

Earn a year’s worth of language credit in just four weeks (24 weeks for Virtual fall/spring option). Accredited by Cognia.

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Adventure Day Camp

Season: Summer

Duration: 1 Week

Daytime programming for young villagers ready to explore the Village experience without overnight stays.

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Youth Virtual

Season: Year-round

Duration: Varies

Keep your Language Village experience going all year long with our Virtual Clubs, Classes and High School Credit programs.

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Family Weeks & Weekends

Season: Year-round

Duration: 2 Days | 3 Days | 1 Week

Fun and learning for the whole family (and friends)! Enjoy culturally immersive activities, meals and tailored learning.

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Adult Overnight

Season: Year-round

Duration: 3 Days | 1 Week

Learn a new language or advance your skills in a fully immersive environment. Choose from Workshops, Weekends or Week-long programs.

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Adult Virtual

Season: Year-round

Duration: Varies

Choose from a variety of programming options including Conversation Hours, Classes and more, for ages 18+.

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Government & Corporate

Season: Year-round

Duration: Varies

Training for military, healthcare and corporate clients, with customizable programming designed to bridge cultures and break language barriers.

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Upcoming Swedish Camps & Programs

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Swedish Adult Conversation Hour Intermediate/Advanced
Adult Virtual
|
Swedish
Dates:
Feb 21
-
Mar 29
2024
Location:
Virtual
Ages 19 - 99
Cost: $
210
Intermediate/Advanced level, meets Thursdays
Registration closes
Feb 7, 2024
Male openings:
12
|
Female openings:
12
Register NowJoin Waitlist
Session Full
Registration Closed
Limited Availibility
Registration opens on
September 19, 2023
Swedish Club Sjolunden
Youth Virtual
|
Swedish
Dates:
Mar 9
-
Apr 20
2024
Location:
Virtual
Ages 10 - 18
Cost: $
230
Registration closes
Feb 24, 2024
Male openings:
13
|
Female openings:
9
Register NowJoin Waitlist
Session Full
Registration Closed
Limited Availibility
Registration opens on
September 19, 2023
Swedish Adult Weekend
Adult Overnight
|
Swedish
Dates:
Apr 25
-
Apr 28
2024
Location:
Bemidji
Ages 18 - 99
Cost: $
640
Standard price $640 65+ and students $590 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.
Registration closes
Mar 28, 2024
Male openings:
36
|
Female openings:
31
Register NowJoin Waitlist
Session Full
Registration Closed
Limited Availibility
Registration opens on
August 23, 2023
Swedish Family Weekend
Family Overnight
|
Swedish
Dates:
Apr 25
-
Apr 28
2024
Location:
Bemidji
N/A
Cost: $
395
Adult price $395 Youth price $215 Ages 3 and under free
Registration closes
Mar 28, 2024
Male openings:
48
|
Female openings:
43
Register NowJoin Waitlist
Session Full
Registration Closed
Limited Availibility
Registration opens on
August 24, 2023
Swedish High School Credit
Youth Overnight
|
Swedish
Dates:
Jul 15
-
Aug 10
2024
Location:
Bemidji
Ages 13 - 18
Cost: $
5710
Villagers attending these sessions will be on-site when Sjolunden holds their 50th anniversary celebration. This event will open the Village to outside guests. There will be some crossover of events for guests and villagers.
Registration closes
Jun 15, 2024
Male openings:
3
|
Female openings:
9
Register NowJoin Waitlist
Session Full
Registration Closed
Limited Availibility
Registration opens on
October 11, 2023
Swedish Youth One Week
Youth Overnight
|
Swedish
Dates:
Jul 15
-
Jul 20
2024
Location:
Bemidji
Ages 7 - 14
Cost: $
1345
Registration closes
Jun 15, 2024
Male openings:
4
|
Female openings:
7
Register NowJoin Waitlist
Session Full
Registration Closed
Limited Availibility
Registration opens on
October 11, 2023
Swedish Youth Two Week
Youth Overnight
|
Swedish
Dates:
Jul 15
-
Jul 27
2024
Location:
Bemidji
Ages 8 - 14
Cost: $
2600
Registration closes
Jun 15, 2024
Male openings:
16
|
Female openings:
23
Register NowJoin Waitlist
Session Full
Registration Closed
Limited Availibility
Registration opens on
October 11, 2023
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Upcoming Holiday Workshops

Nordic Holiday Workshop
Adult Overnight
|
Nordic
Dates:
Dec 6
-
Dec 8
2024
Location:
Bemidji
Ages 21 - 99
Cost: $
325
Minimum deposit $50
Registration closes
Nov 22, 2024
Male openings:
50
|
Female openings:
47
Register NowJoin Waitlist
Session Full
Registration Closed
Limited Availibility
Registration opens on
March 10, 2024
Concordia Language Training Center Logo

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.

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LEARN ABOUT

scholarship

OPPORTUNITIES

Need-based scholarships are available for Swedish 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.

Find Additional Information Here

Our Location:

Sjölunden

a small white house with a metal roof

Turtle River Lake

The intimate atmosphere of a Swedish coastal fishing village in Småland, Sweden inspired the architectural design of Sjölunden. Sjölunden joins seven other culturally authentic Villages situated on an 875-acre tract of land on Turtle River Lake near Bemidji, Minn.

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.

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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 graduate student in School Psychology at George Mason University in Washington, DC. She holds a master's degree in Cultural Identity Studies from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland.

a woman in a red vest

Valorie Arrowsmith

Program Leader

Teaching Swedish provides great joy in Valorie's life. She holds a K-12 Minnesota Swedish teaching license, plus an M.Ed. degree in Second Languages and Cultures. She teaches English as a second language. Besides sending her children to the Swedish Language Village for a total of 25 years, Valorie has been working at Sjölunden since 2006.

Vanessa Jennie Vaughan

Vanessa Jennie Vaughan facilitates the Swedish Adult Conversation Hour for beginners to Swedish. She has been teaching Swedish for ten years at both Sjölunden (in its overnight and virtual programs) and the American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis. Some hobbies of hers include music, painting and vintage video games.

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.

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Work at Concordia Language Villages

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.