Meet the Advancement Team

eericson@sya.org

978.725.6828 Ext. 619
 

Why are you passionate about SYA?

Having studied Spanish at my public high school in rural New Hampshire, I was fortunate to go on a weeklong trip to Mexico during my senior year. I stayed with a host family and had my first glimpse into life in another culture. A year later, I traveled alone to France to visit a friend – my family thought I was crazy. When I managed to navigate my way home despite cancelled flights (and not speaking French!) during a transportation strike, I realized I was capable of more than I thought. These experiences challenged and humbled me, and opened my eyes to a much bigger and interconnected world. SYA does this in exponents – it’s such a powerful opportunity for teenagers.

I’m grateful for every story shared with me by alumni and families whose lives have been transformed by SYA, and every dollar given to make it possible for the current generation.

snelson@sya.org

978.725.6828 Ext. 112

Why are you passionate about SYA?

My passion for SYA stems from my deep connection to my cultural roots as a first-generation American with Norwegian heritage. Growing up immersed in Norwegian culture and language in Brooklyn gave me a unique perspective on the world, which aligns with SYA's education model that values cultural immersion and global understanding. The power of living the language gave me a different level of fluency in Norwegian that I never reached through classroom-instructed French.

Having been with SYA since 2006, my experiences meeting countless alumni, parents and faculty who share this passion further fuels my dedication, making my role not just a job but a dream come true.

 

squinn@sya.org

978.725.6828 Ext. 135

Why are you passionate about SYA?

While I’ve never formally studied abroad, seeing new places and interacting with different cultures through travel has impacted my life in ways that I could have never expected. There is something to be said for successfully navigating the metro in an unfamiliar city, smiling with a stranger while struggling to converse in the local language or sharing a meal lovingly prepared by a host family. The triumphs experienced while stepping outside your comfort zone are some of the most important, allowing confidence to flourish.

SYA allows students from all over the world to have these types of confidence-building, life-changing experiences each year. It is a privilege to be just a small part of their journey and to watch the world unfold through their eyes.

aroshko@sya.org

978.725.6828 Ext. 125

 

Being born in Russia and having lived in Russia, Canada and the USA, I relate to the SYA's mission on every level. I remember how life-changing and transformational my three-week language course in Paris was when I was sixteen years old. It made me realize how small my world had been and made me curious about other cultures and languages. And when an opportunity presented itself to apply for a scholarship at Harvard University, I jumped on it immediately. I got the scholarship, packed my suitcase and moved to the U.S. It’s been sixteen years since that day, and I am loving it. I went to Toronto to get my master’s degree and absolutely loved the experience. My children are mixed ethnicity, and I am proud to be raising them in a trilingual environment and expose them to the culture of their parents' native countries.

SYA provides this amazing opportunity to teens to expand their world, expose them to other cultures and languages, and transform their life and mindset. Seeing SYA students on their journeys makes me relive my time in Paris and feel sixteen again — I recognize myself in every one of them and feel such tremendous joy witnessing their growth.

kkurtz@sya.org

 

As an SYA Italy alum, I experienced firsthand the life-changing nature of the SYA program and am excited to offer that experience to other high school students. My year at SYA was transformative; I gained the confidence to navigate a new country, became fluent in a new language, learned from incredible faculty, and gained an Italian family. Every time I visit my Italian host family and the SYA Italy campus, I’m reminded that challenging myself to move abroad and embrace the SYA experience with open arms was the best decision I’ve ever made and that it transformed my life forever.

Having worked at SYA since 2022, I’m fortunate to continue witnessing the magic of a year abroad through current students and to support the faculty and staff who make the experience possible.