Enrolled Student Frequently Asked Questions

Accreditation. SYA is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).

Commitment. SYA has a rigorous academic curriculum, in line with top independent schools in the United States. Students are expected to complete nightly homework, take tests and quizzes and turn in assignments just as they would at their home school. 

Courses. All SYA students take six courses. The target language, experiential target language, and English are required of all students. Most students take math. The two remaining courses are electives. The course catalog for the 2023-2024 academic year can be found here.

Course Selection. All students will be sent a form to select courses in the spring before departing to SYA.

Place-Based Education. Academics at SYA feature experiential learning opportunities through weekly fieldwork, school trips and language immersion with a host family.

Safety. All prospective host families have completed full background checks and are interviewed by the Host Family Coordinator in their homes. Host families are provided with appropriate orientation, training and supervision. Many of the SYA host families have been hosting for several years - some for over two generations!

Process. All SYA schools have a dedicated Host Family Coordinator whose job it is to get to know both the families and the students well so that they can make the best possible placements. Host family assignments are made by the Host Family Coordinator in consultation with the Resident Director, utilizing information provided by the student, their parents and host families.

Match. Students and their parents complete a lengthy survey regarding their needs and  preferences before host families are assigned to students. On this form, students list allergies, dietary restrictions, preferences regarding family configuration and pets, and any other pertinent information.

Host Family Configuration. Host families come in all shapes and sizes! Some are single parents, some have children and some are grandparents.

College Preparation. Students leave SYA as global citizens who are ready to tackle future academic and professional challenges at college and beyond. Review the SYA profile for colleges which provides a list of colleges that have enrolled the largest number of SYA alumni in the past five years.

College Liaison. SYA has a college counseling liaison at each campus who works with seniors on applications in the fall and with juniors in the spring to develop a preliminary college list.

Standardized Tests. Students can take the PSATs, SATs and AP tests at each SYA campus.  For the 2023-2024 year the PSAT and the SAT will be offered only as digital tests internationally. SYA offers online SAT prep courses. We are no longer a test site for the ACT. If students wish to take the ACT, we highly recommend they take it before leaving for SYA or when they return back home. The ACT regularly offers June and July test dates.   

SAT Registration - Students interested in taking the SAT at SYA need to register online through their individual College Board account, which will require payment with a credit card. We strongly encourage interested students to register now that registration has opened, as slots tend to fill up quickly. Please note SYA cannot sign up students for the SAT. Students will likely benefit from having with them their College Board credentials and credit card while at SYA.

PSAT Registration. SYA registers all sophomores and juniors enrolled at SYA in the fall to take the PSAT.

AP Exam Registration. Fall and Full-Year students sign-up for the AP exams they wish to take once they arrive at their SYA campus. Most AP exams are offered at SYA. Spring students will be contacted in November with registration information.

Safety at SYA. A top priority for SYA is to promote the health and safety of our students. While abroad, students are supported by a robust network of trained adults, including a Resident Director (RD), faculty and host parents. In addition, SYA provides students with necessary information and encouragement so that they are empowered to conduct themselves in safe, healthy and respectful ways. While SYA takes many measures to mitigate risks, the student’s safety depends to a large extent on their ability and willingness to follow the rules and make smart decisions.

SYA Cities. We encourage students to be aware of their surroundings at all times. That being said,  SYA campuses are strategically located in small or mid-sized cities (Viterbo, Rennes, and Zaragoza) that are smaller than most large urban areas in the U.S.

Insurance.  SYA provides health insurance for all students that covers most medical expenses incurred at their destination country during the SYA school year. 

Medical Assistance. The Resident Director or assistant arrange routine medical appointments as needed and established protocols are followed to respond to any medical emergencies that may arise. Each SYA campus keeps on file all the medical information provided by each student’s family and physician.

Mental Health Counseling. SYA does not employ mental health counselors onsite, but has a contract with The Truman Group to provide individual counseling for students via video conferencing while overseas. Another option some students have found effective is to continue counseling via video-conference with their mental health professional from home.

COVID-19 Vaccination. While no longer a requirement, SYA strongly recommends all students be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 (primary series and most recent booster available) but reserves the right to reinstate the vaccine requirement if the destination country regulatory agency requirement is reintroduced and/or the conditions worsen. All tuition payments (except the non-refundable deposit) would be refunded to families who withdraw their child due to a change in the SYA Covid-19 vaccine policy prior to departure

Phones. All SYA students must have a local cell phone number so they are reachable at all times. We encourage students to have their U.S. smartphones unlocked at home before leaving so they can exchange the SIM card once they are at their destination country. An alternative, although not as practical, is for students to purchase a local phone and plan. Host families take students within their first few days after arrival to buy the SIM card (or phone). They also provide assistance until the student has a working local phone number to make and receive calls.

Debit/Credit Card. Most students bring a debit card from the U.S. that they are able to use to withdraw money at an ATM abroad and/or make purchases at stores. Students can also bring credit cards that they are able to use internationally. 

Spending Money. For most students, $25-50 of spending money a week works well. This can be for snacks, coffee, clothing or dinner with friends. 

Transportation. Most SYA students take public transportation to and from school and extracurricular activities. Public transportation is easy and convenient in all SYA host cities. SYA provides students with monthly passes, the cost of which is included in tuition fees.

Lunch. Students eat lunch at a local school cafeteria during the week. The price of lunch is included in SYA tuition.

Logistics. Each SYA Campus has an activities coordinator well versed in the options for students in their new home. 

Possibilities. SYA students have enjoyed playing a wide array of sports, from tennis to soccer to basketball, while living abroad. Others have taken painting classes, participated in community service or learned how to cook regional foods. See some examples of extracurricular activities here.

Passport requirements. It is important to have a valid passport that expires at least three months after the end of the program. This allows you to begin the paperwork needed to obtain the student visa. If your passport is expired, or will expire before this time, request a renewal today!

Educational travel. SYA travel includes both large and small group travel, and all SYA school trips are adequately staffed by faculty to provide for the supervision of students and promote safety conditions for all participants. Travel is often one of the highlights of the student’s experience. The cost of school travel, including all meals, is included in tuition. 

Independent travel. Travel in groups of two or three students, planned and organized by the students themselves, can lead to greater immersion in the host country culture, increased language proficiency and a furthering of the student’s educational goals. Requirements for independent travel are discussed at the start of each semester.