For Parents

Yes! All students are required to be accessible by phone, as it is important from a safety perspective that our staff and host families are always able to reach our students. Most select to bring their smart phone and purchase a local SIM card or eSIM upon arrival. Others elect to purchase a flip phone in-country. Host families will help their students with these purchases upon arrival.

It is SYA policy that students remain in-country for the duration of the program. Our host families are ready and willing to host their student from their arrival in-country to the last day of the program, and sharing holiday traditions can be a very special experience! Here, Aaliyah shares about celebrating the New Year with her host family in Viterbo. Additionally, if possible, the holidays are a fantastic time for families to visit their children. Read about Reagan's experience sharing Viterbo with his father and Celeste showing her family around Rennes!

Yes! All students are assigned an advisor and meet in small advisory groups regularly. Here, as Casey reflects on her year in Zaragoza, she gives a glimpse into guided advisory group discussions and the meaningful relationships students develop with their teachers at SYA. 

Your child will have many travel opportunities that not only include the "must-see" locations, but will also help them discover their new country through the eyes of a local. Regular field work opportunities get them out of the classroom, discovering locations both in-town and in the surrounding areas on a regular basis. Additionally, each campus will have at least one week-long academic travel trip, where students travel, often in smaller groups, accompanied by our teachers. Click here to read about Casey's academic travel trip to Peñíscola!