All 2027 summer participants will receive a guaranteed $3000 IAP scholarship towards the program fee.
Sweden, Stockholm
This program is part of UW-Madison Study Abroad's Summer Launch!
Join your fellow incoming first-year Badgers on this exciting summer program to Stockholm, Sweden! Led by UW Professor Scott Mellor, UW Summer Launch in Sweden: Vikings to Empire is a unique, engaging experience designed especially for incoming UW-Madison first-year students.
Through classroom learning, guided site visits around Stockholm, and visits to Tallinn and Birka Stömma, you’ll be introduced to Scandinavia from the medieval period and the Vikings age through late medieval and into the Early modern period and the advent of the Empires of the North.
Students accepted to this program will participate as a cohort in a two-day pre-departure orientation session then travel together to Sweden and back to Madison. You'll start fall semester having built strong relationships with your internationally-minded peers and faculty mentor, and having completed 3 UW credits.
This program is offered by UW-Madison in cooperation with DIS - Study Abroad Scandinavia (DIS). There are no prerequisites for this program.
Learn about all UW Study Abroad Launch programs.
Note: You may only apply to and participate in one UW Study Abroad Launch program.
Learning Objectives
We have overall Goals and Expectations for Study Abroad Participants, covering the personal, academic and professional aspects of study abroad. Additionally on this program, you can:
- Scandinavian Studies
Students will synthesize academic and experiential knowledge to critically analyze cultural, historical, and geographic shifts in the Nordic region, especially Sweden, from the Viking Age through the rise of empire. - Medieval Studies
Students will demonstrate interdisciplinary understanding of medieval Scandinavia by analyzing primary sources and material culture encountered on-site, including archaeological sites in Gotland and Tallinn, and connecting these to broader historical and geopolitical developments. - Folklore Studies
Students will examine how expressive traditions—such as legends, sagas, and modern pop culture representations—shape cultural identity and memory in both historical and contemporary Scandinavian contexts. - Integrated Cultural Analysis
Students will recognize, describe, and contextualize cultural phenomena across time periods, using both scholarly frameworks and experiential learning to deepen their understanding of Nordic societies. - Collaborative Inquiry
Students will work in interdisciplinary teams to interpret cultural materials from multiple perspectives, integrating insights from history, folklore, literature, and media to develop nuanced views of Scandinavian heritage.
Diversity & Inclusion
We are committed to providing quality study abroad and domestic study away programs for every UW-Madison student. We work strategically to identify, address, and remove barriers that may prevent participation and to provide a welcoming and inclusive environment for students. Our staff actively engages with students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds and prioritizes the continuous development of our knowledge and cultural competence. We also recognize the importance of increasing access to study abroad for historically underrepresented student populations. We are committed to diversity and inclusion so that every student can engage with and understand their identity through a new lens and continue to develop and make progress on their personal, professional, and academic goals.
Sustainability
We recognize that the future of study abroad, domestic study away, and international internship programming requires a Commitment to Sustainability. We are devoted to examining, developing, and improving sustainability in all our endeavors, aligning with campus priorities and following through with UW-Madison's climate action and Resilience Commitment. Join our efforts and learn more about how to study abroad sustainably.
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Eligibility
- International students are not eligible to apply to this program.
- This program is for incoming Freshman students only. The program takes place prior to your first semester of study on campus.
- Incoming Freshman
- Open to UW-Madison degree-seeking students only
- Good academic and disciplinary standing
- At the time of application and the semester prior to participation, UW-Madison students must be currently enrolled. Transfer Students to UW-Madison need to be currently enrolled at their home institution
Advising Location
Program Structure
UW Signature
Subjects
Scandinavian Studies, History
Classroom Language
English
Housing
Hotels
Program Duration
Summer: late July to early August
Anticipated 2027 Dates: July 21 - August 6
SOAR attendance: schedule any time before the program start
Program Orientation on campus: July 19 - 20
Departure: July 20
Sweden: July 21 - August 6
Return to campus: August 6
Application Deadline(s)
| Summer 2026 | 4/15/2026 | Cost Details |
Future durations will be posted at a later date.
APPLY NOW
“I made friendships and faculty connections I will use on campus. It also made me feel ready for college.” - Summer 2024 participant
Welcome to Scandinavia: Vikings to Empire
This immersive study abroad course offers a dynamic introduction to the history and culture of Scandinavia, tracing its development from the Bronze Age through the Viking Age and into the rise of the Swedish and Danish empires. Based in Stockholm, students will explore the Nordic region through experiential learning, engaging directly with the landscapes, museums, and historical sites that shaped its past.
We begin by examining popular representations of Vikings and Norse culture in gaming, film, television, and literature—both in the U.S. and Scandinavia. These modern portrayals raise important questions about identity, myth-making, and cultural memory. Students will critically analyze how these images influence contemporary understandings of the medieval North.
From there, we delve into the scholarly record to investigate:
- The legendary origins of early Scandinavia
- The consolidation of the Scandinavian kingdoms
- The Viking expansion and its global impact
- The conversion to Christianity and the Reformation
- The emergence of the Swedish and Danish empires and their struggle for dominance in the Baltic region
As part of the course, students will travel beyond Stockholm to explore Gotland, a key Viking trading hub with rich archaeological sites, and Tallinn, Estonia’s medieval capital, which offers insight into the broader Baltic world and its connections to Scandinavian empires. These excursions deepen our understanding of the region’s historical complexity and cultural exchange.
Through this journey, students will gain a deeper understanding of medieval and early modern Scandinavia, while reflecting on broader themes of identity, empire, and the human condition. By studying history in its geographic and cultural context, participants will develop critical thinking skills and global perspectives that extend beyond the classroom.
Professor Mellor will be the primary instructor for the course. Upon successful completion of the program, you will earn 3 credits.
A note on daily life: For the first two weeks of the program expect to spend two hours in class weekday mornings, followed by afternoon visits and excursions. You will also have some free time integrated to catch up on homework and explore the city. The last week of the program, we'll have class while traveling to nearby towns.
Course Equivalents
Use the links below to see a list of courses that past students have taken on this program and the UW equivalents. Note: This list only includes pre-approved courses for your program and may not be an exhaustive list of courses, departments or equivalents. Courses may not be available the semester you are abroad. You will receive instructions on the course equivalent process after acceptance. View Course Equivalents
Program Leader
Scott Mellor
Professor, Department of German, Nordic and Slavic+
Scott Mellor is a Teaching Professor of Nordic Studies at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he has taught since September 1999. His research interests span oral tradition and narrative theory, with a particular focus on The Völsunga Saga. He has published work on Saint Ansgar’s mission to Sweden, including a translation and analysis, and has explored H.C. Andersen’s works, including his use of Romantic-era flower symbolism in his literary works, Andersen’s innovative works, and his images of women explored in The Little Mermaid. He teaches courses on Nordic Folk Narrative and Medieval Studies.
Currently, Professor Mellor is working on a project examining the folk life and cultural traditions of the Åland Islands. He also serves as the Faculty Director of Norden Language Community within the International Learning Community at UW–Madison.