Spain Faculty and Staff

Dear Prospective Students,

I would like to share a few thoughts about why spending a school year at SYA Spain can be an exceptionally exciting, meaningful, and even life-changing educational experience. Studying abroad presents challenges for sure, but for so many of our students, it has been an extraordinary experience of immeasurable growth and discovery.

As a resident of Zaragoza, you’ll pursue a challenging high school curriculum and engage in an adventure that prepares you for life in countless ways. You will decidedly improve your Spanish, become part of a local family, learn to adapt to a new way of life, and discover many aspects of the diverse cultural tapestry of Spain. Judging by the experiences of SYA alumni, we can say that spending a school year abroad may well help define your college major, career, and life.

The faculty at SYA Spain and I are here to help you achieve your highest academic potential and to learn as much as possible about the Spanish language and culture. SYA will give you the opportunity to spend your sophomore, junior or senior year of high school making Spain another place to call home. The level of language you acquire will depend on your effort and engagement, of course, but I can assure you that we have witnessed remarkable achievement in so many of our students. Engage with the people and the culture, and they will enrich you in countless ways! 

If you or your parents have any questions about Spain or the program, feel free to contact our Admissions Office at 978.725.6828. They will be glad to answer your questions and tell you about our school in Zaragoza and the SYA experience.

Sincerely,

Rocio Alejo Rodriguez
Resident Director
SYA Spain


 

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Rocio Alejo Rodriguez, Resident Director

An experienced educator who has lived in various countries, Rocio brings to her role a commitment to strong language proficiency and intercultural competence, two principles that lie at the heart of SYA’s mission. Raised in Toledo, Spain, Rocio attended Spanish universities in Madrid and Barcelona before coming to the United States twelve years ago, where she interned in the Consulate General of Spain in Boston. She started her teaching career in a charter school serving a diverse, international community outside of Boston.

In 2015 she moved to one of SYA’s founding schools, St. Paul’s School in Concord, NH, teaching Spanish and heading a girls' dormitory. In 2021, Rocio moved to Warsaw, where she taught Spanish while heading the boarding house and establishing rules and regulations for their expanding boarding operations. Among the highlights of her time in Warsaw was the opportunity to welcome to the boarding house and work with a number of students arriving from Ukraine. Rocio was appointed Resident Director in July of 2022 and thoroughly enjoys overseeing the growth of her students in language, maturity and worldview, throughout their SYA journey. 

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