My name is Cyra. I’m from New York City but I now live in Pawtucket, Rhode Island and attend the Wheeler School. I’m 16 years old, play the electric bass and I like reading and listening to music.

I applied to SYA because I wanted the chance to go to Europe and Spain for the first time, to travel throughout the country and to learn the language. I was also interested the independence SYA offers, the unique experience that every student has and the fact you can explore an entirely different culture. My hopes for my SYA experience are to become as proficient in the language as possible, to connect with many Spanish people and be exposed to different cultures than my own. I am most looking forward to independent travel. I am excited by the ability to explore Spain — being able to shape my adventures to experience things that I find most interesting, seeking things that are special to me in Zaragoza and on school trips.

I would like to thank the donors who made this experience possible! SYA opens up an entire new world and shows me how many opportunities and possibilities are ahead of me in my life.