Purpose:  We seek students from Santa Barbara County with a serious interest in Scandinavia to spend a summer term, typically 6-8 weeks, studying in one of the Scandinavian countries.  Preference will be given to students enrolled in a formal academic setting and who have specific academic goals in mind.  Our hope is that the student will not only succeed in achieving academic goals but will also benefit from an exploration of that country’s culture, history and social structure.

Overview:  We will provide a scholarship for a summer study in Scandinavia.   It is not our intent to cover all costs; only to serve as an incentive to having a unique academic experience.  If requested, we will provide a mentor to assist in identifying potential academic settings in Scandinavia based on the applicant’s interest.  Upon completion of the summer study, students will be honored at an ASFSB event

Funding:  We will provide $3000 to help defray costs of travel, housing and enrollment fees.

Eligibility:  Santa Barbara applicants must be 18 years of age or older and may include:

• students with Scandinavian heritage, including those who may not have experienced a sustained exposure to the lands and culture of their immigrant families; 

• students who have a genuine interest in learning about some aspect of Scandinavian culture and who may not have a Scandinavian heritage.

Number of Scholarships:  Two scholarships are available in 2023.

Application Deadline:  March 31, 2023.  In-person interviews will be held during the week of April 10.  We will notify successful applicants by April 21. 

Expectations:  Upon completion of this academic program, students will submit a short essay, highlighting the details and impact of their Scandinavian experience and share those observations at an ASFSB event in their honor.

How to apply: Download the form by clicking the button below. The form is interactive and can be filled out digitally - or printed and filled out by hand. Please email the application to info@asfsb.net.

Traditionally, we launch our year of annual activities in September.  This year, our Program Committee, led by Ellen Zissler, organized a relaxing garden party in late September at the home of Bonnie Yonker in Carpinteria.  Light refreshments, including beverages from the Island Brewery, were served. to the sound of wonderful background music supplied by guitarist Bob Schetter of “The Invocations.”

Our featured speaker was Carpinteria Mayor Wade Namura whose book, “Creating Destiny,” – the story of his family’s journey from a very different part of the world -- Japan.  His inspirational talk served to remind us that ours is a country of immigrants from all parts of the world, including Asia and Scandinavia, and though there are likely to be differences in culture, there are parallels in the struggle to adapt.

This year’s Annual Meeting will be held this Sunday, January 23 at 3 pm via Zoom.

Keynote speaker Janet studied in Sweden in 1976 during her third year at Humboldt State University, thanks to a scholarship from Scandinavian Seminar. She studied at Väddö Folkhögskola, a small junior college in the countryside near Norrtälje, then worked as a barnflicka (nanny) in Bromma, near Stockholm. With the money she earned, she followed her interest in East European folk dance and traveled first to Transylvania, Romania, then throughout the Balkans.

She credits her career in anthropology and global philanthropy to her first experience away from home in Sweden where she became interested in other cultures and passionate about finding a place in which she could be of service to others.  She currently serves as Executive Director of World Dance for Humanity, a non-profit corporation that serves 12,000 Rwandan Genocide survivors in 28 communities lift themselves out of poverty.

 You will want to hear her story!

This year’s Annual Meeting will be held this Sunday, January 23 at 3 pm via Zoom.  Here is your link: 

https://sbcc.zoom.us/j/2855449824?pwd=ZHdCN2swOVhtbnhDOTNFZGFGcXNXQT09 or click the button below:

You are cordially invited to participate in the Nordic Spirit Classic ONLINE program in the Second Friday Series.

Scandinavians in the Old West: The Life and Work of Birger Sandzén

Presentation by Ron Michael, director of the Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery.

Register by clicking the link below:
https://clu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwvfu6oqjMqEtau9jK4JG8Y5Xu856Id73OP

Meet at the Mission Rose Gardens across the street from the Mission. Bring a blanket or chairs to sit socially distanced while enjoying your beverage of choice and the snacks you bring along.

We will meet at the Seal fountain at 5:00PM on the 17th at the end of Linden Avenue and beach in Carpenteria. We can walk the beach, walk along the newly constructed board walk and grab a bite to eat at the hamburger place called THE SPOT. You will only have to pay for your own food if wanted. Weather permitting.

This is a free day for those interested in social distancing while enjoying the Flora and Fauna of native California Plants.