Welcome to Argentina, the “land of silver.” Famous for its gauchos, tango, and steak, the country’s capital Buenos Aires, is unsurprisingly the most visited city in South America.

Like the United States, Argentina is also considered a country of immigrants, and is referred to by Argentines as crisol de razas, meaning crucible of races, the Argentine equivalent of ‘melting pot.’ While being a highly multicultural country, significant European influences are still seen in architecture, fashion, and design.

Argentina is a federal constitutional republic and representative democracy. The country’s official and most spoken language is Spanish. English is taught since Elementary school, and a little less than half of Argentines claim to speak it.

The country guarantees freedom of religion, although Roman Catholicism is the most practiced religion in the country.

Welcome to Sweden, the land of lush forests and crystal clear freshwater lakes.

Sweden is one of the most industrialized countries in Europe. Major industries include timber, iron, vehicles (those Saabs and Volvos you see on the road are made with Swedish pride), and communications. Popular IKEA furniture is another successful export.

The government of Sweden is a constitutional monarchy. Real power lies with the Riksdag (parliament), led by an elected prime minister.

The official language of Sweden is Swedish, but many other languages, including English, are spoken.

Welcome to Spain, home to flamenco dancers and bullfights, fresh seafood and sprawling beaches.

Spain holds mountains, deserts, wetlands, plains, and miles of coastline. Famous artists such as El Greco, Goya, Picasso, Velazquez, and Dali have helped put the country on the map, and the works of modernist architect Gaudi lure millions of visitors there each year.

Today the country is a constitutional monarchy. The true head of state is the Spanish prime minister.

Ethnically, the people are divided as Castilians, Catalans, Galicians, and Basques. Although Castilian Spanish is the official language, the Catalans, Galicians, and Basques all have separate native languages that continue to thrive.

Welcome to Norway, the “Land of the Midnight Sun,” glistening fjords, and a strong sense of tradition.

It is cold; there is no doubt about that. The mountainous interior is home to some of Europe’s largest glaciers. But its population mostly lives in urban areas, and Norwegians find their country generally an un-crowded place to call home. The country has one of the highest standards of living in the world.

Norway has a constitutional democracy headed by a prime minister.

There are two forms of the official Norwegian language: one is used most commonly for everyday communication, and the other is a combination of many rural dialects.

Welcome to the Netherlands, the land of multi-colored tulip fields, bicycles and historically liberal public policies.

The Netherlands has been shaped by its proximity and relationship to the water. Over 50 percent of the Netherlands lies below sea level. The Dutch rely on a system of dikes, dams, lochs, and mechanical pumps to protect their country from flooding, and its cities have beautiful canals running around and through them.

The Netherlands is a constitutional monarchy, led by the king or queen, and the prime minister.  This little country plays a leading role in the European Union.

The official language is Dutch; however, most Dutch people speak fluent English, and often speak Frisian, French or German as well.

Welcome to Japan, a collection of islands home to spectacular mountains, delicate pottery and spell-binding tea ceremonies.

Perhaps the most unique aspect of Japanese culture is its love of precise physical composition. This aesthetic is evident in all facets of Japanese culture, from manicured gardens and flower arrangements to small functional homes, from haiku poetry to beautifully arranged traditional foods.

Japan is a constitutional monarchy. The monarch is greatly revered, but holds little power. The true head of state is the prime minister.

The official language is Japanese, which has one of the most complex writing systems in the world, with over 3,000 characters and three different scripts.

Welcome to the timeless country of romance, wine and the arts. France occupies an area slightly larger than California, and is divided into 96 different regions or départements that are as varied as the landscape. France has left its mark on the diverse worlds of gastronomy, arts, politics, fashion, and science and is the number one tourist destination in the world. It is a republic led by a president who serves for seven years. The official language is French, although there are many different dialects spoken within the various regions.

Host a French student or go to France yourself!

Welcome to Denmark, a cold but friendly country in beautiful northern Europe. 

Danish people are known for their very open attitudes, AND they invented the Lego™! Rain and grey skies are common in Denmark, and winter temperatures hover around the freezing point. During the summer, Danes experience 18-hour days.

The Kingdom of Denmark, as it is known, has a population of 5.6 million people. Denmark has a parliament and a monarchy, which share joint legislative powers. 

The official language is Danish, although most Danes begin learning English at an early age. 

Welcome to Belgium, a small, multicultural country nestled in the heart of Western Europe. 

Belgium is made up of three distinct regions, each with its own language and culture. Its capital city, Brussels, is the host for both NATO and the European Union, giving this country of only eleven million people (and covering about the same area as Maryland) a special spot in the international spotlight.

Belgium is recognized for its historical artistry and innovation, today manifesting in its world-famous chocolate and lace making. Flemish, Dutch, French and German are all spoken in Belgium, and it is common for people to learn and speak English.

Belgium is a constitutional monarchy with both a monarch and prime minister. Its official currency is the Euro, adopted in 2002. 

Welcome to Italy, home to gorgeous Mediterranean views, world-famous food, and artistic masterpieces both large and small.

Italy has been dubbed the world’s ‘living art gallery,’ covered in ornate marble floors, Roman ruins, Byzantine mosaics, baroque tombs, and Greek temples. Vineyards pepper the Italian countryside and the words of Ovid and Virgil seem to echo throughout its cities.

Italy is a republic led by a prime minister and a president, centered in Rome. Italian, in various beautiful dialects, is the official language and spoken throughout the country.