Events

scheduled events

Join events that connect you with members of the SYA community.

From Town Halls to faculty-led classes to alumni panels, our webinar series is designed to bring you back inside the classroom or to hear from experts within the SYA community. Events are for members of the SYA community: alumni, parents, faculty and invited guests. Registration is free unless otherwise noted.*

Is there a program or topic that you'd like to lead or participate in? Let us know! Alumni: encourage your classmates to join you! You can reach out to them through ConnectSYA or ask us for a class contact list.

Missed one of our sessions? Webinars are available on-demand on our YouTube channel. View the playlist.

Our Virtual Events

Learn more about our faculty-led classes, webinars (alumni panels and town halls) and reunions!

Classes and Language Clubs

Unless otherwise noted, all who register are expected to participate and have conversational fluency in the target language. Because space is limited to 15 people for class/12 for language club, and to ensure that all who register are committed to attending, we have implemented a small registration fee of $10 per person. If you would like to participate but are unable to pay the fee, please contact us. Unfortunately, we are unable to process refunds if you cancel your registration. If you have registered and your plans have changed, please let us know immediately so that we may fill your space from the wait list.

Classes

Faculty Class: SYA Italy
The Best High School Wine in the World: SYA Rosso
Patrick Scanlon, SYA Italy Resident Director and Applied Agroecology faculty

Thursday, February 11, 2021
12 p.m. EST

In Italy, wine is food. With the assistance of recent alumni from Applied Agroecology, the seminar will give a brief overview of the unit on wine-making that the students have engaged in for four years now. We will invite questions from the seminar participants that might include the science that students encounter as well as the cultural and historical aspects covered in the course. Feedback from any participant that has experience in wine making, knowledge of science, fermentation or the love of wine is more than welcome. Seminar will be in bilingual, English / Italian.

Homework:
The only preparation necessary for participants is to ask: “Where is the science in the wine-making process?” Of course, people make their careers answering the question. As you will see, we only scratch the surface. At SYA, we see the project as a vehicle through which we teach our mission, including critical thinking, problem-solving, cultural competence and language proficiency. Our unique setting allows us to offer this project, For instance, the entire process from harvest to bottling takes place within walking distance from school.

Faculty Class: SYA Spain
Geopolitics: The Influence of Location and Geography on Foreign Policy
Antonio López Piña, SYA Spain Political Science faculty

Thursday February 18, 2021
12 p.m. EST

In this class, we will discuss the importance of physical location and geographic environment in the construction of a country's foreign policy.

Homework
While not essential, watching the video and reading these articles will help to frame the conversation.

Watch: Breve definición de Geopolítica (vídeo 3:50)

Read:
Geopolítica. Brevísima introducción

Tierras raras. Una cuestión geopolítica entre China y EEUU.

Los proveedores de tierras raras (vídeo 4:16)

Language Clubs

Thursday, February 25, 2021 at 12p.m. EST

SYA France:
La culture café: both the beverage and the place
Dominique Borotra, Language faculty

Join Dominique Borotra for a “walk down memory lane,” when you sat at cafés in Rennes (or elsewhere in France), enjoying a beverage in the company of your friends or a quiet time reading great book! But what was going to the “café” about for you? Share your experience and anecdotes.

Then, based on homework to be assigned, be ready to describe and reflect on the new regulations on terrasses/barnums and the development of new types of cafés/bars in and around Rennes.

Homework:
Download this file. Please note that while homework is optional, it's helpful to guide the conversation.

SYA Italy:
Una sera al cinema
Alessandra Tuzi, Language faculty

Your chance to participate in film club, Italian style. The film will be selected based on viewing availability and shared in advance.

Homework:
Watch "The Life Ahead" on Netflix.

SYA Spain:
Charlemos de arte en febrero… Arte y realidad: una relación multifacética
Álvaro Ávila, Art, History and Political Science faculty, Marta Escartín, Language faculty, and Elena Laín, Administrative Assistant

In the western world since the Greek time, art has been associated with “beauty” and reality. However, since the beginning of the 20th century or perhaps earlier, artists began questioning that concept. When you see an abstract painting which are your first impressions? Do you think that artists enjoy more freedom now than before?

“Me tomó cuatro años pintar como Rafael, pero me llevó toda una vida aprender a dibujar como un niño.” (Picasso)

Are you looking forward to chatting about art?

Homework
Review this presentation (Chrome is recommended).

March Classes and Language Clubs

Classes
Language Clubs

Classes

Faculty Class: SYA France
BREIZHICOOP: Faire Ses Courses Autrement à Rennes (If We Shopped Differently? Reference to the Coop of Brooklyn)
Séverine Bordeau, Language faculty

Thursday, March 4, 2021
12 p.m. EST

Homework:
Watch this video (in English; ~7 min) and this one (in French with English subtitles; ~12 min)

Faculty Class: SYA Italy
A Virtual Tour of the Forum Romanum and the Colosseum at the Time of COVID
Santo Sammartino, History, Latin and Greek faculty

Santo can't wait to see you and "show" you more about the Etruscans. Hear what he has to say!

Thursday, March 11, 2021
12 p.m. EST

Homework:
TBD

Faculty Class: SYA Spain
The pandemic caused by Covid-19 and its global environmental implications
Tomás Arruebo, Environmental Science faculty and Instructional Technology Coordinator

Thursday, March 18, 2021
12 p.m. EDT

Unfortunately, the pandemic caused by COVID-19 has become one of our greatest concerns during the last year. The goal of this class is to explore the global environmental implications behind its origin.

Homework:
While not essential, reading this article will help to frame the conversation.
La degradación Ambiental catapulta las pandemias

Language Clubs

Thursday, March 25, 2021 at 12p.m. EDT

SYA France:
La disparition des abeilles
(The decline of bees)
Céline Membrey, Environmental Science faculty

Join Céline Membrey, SYA France’s Environmental Science teacher for a
conversation about “The Decline of Bees.” Why are bees so important to us? What is its place among other pollinators? What are the causes of the disappearance of these insects and why is it difficult to stop their decline? What solutions can be implemented to preserve it?

Homework:
TBD

SYA Italy:
Una sera al cinema
Alessandra Tuzi, language faculty

Your chance to participate in film club, Italian style. The film will be selected based on viewing availability and shared in advance.

Homework:
TBD

SYA Spain:
Mes de marzo, mes de la mujer..."El español, ¿una lengua inclusiva?"
Carlota Abad, language faculty, and Marta Escartín, language faculty

Homework:
TBD

April Classes and Language Clubs

Classes
Language Clubs

Classes

SYA France: L’Art déco
Benjamin Sabatier, Art History and History faculty

Thursday, April 1, 2021
12 p.m. EDT

Homework:
TBD

Faculty Class: SYA Italy
What's on the Menu?
Pat Scanlon, SYA Italy Resident Director and Applied Agroecology faculty, and Linda Scanlon, SYA Italy Applied Agroecology faculty

Thursday, April 8, 2021
12 p.m. EDT

Demonstrating the variety and richness of the Italian culture and landscape, guest presenters will share regional favorites while learning what contributes to the taste and the importance.

Plan to "bring" your favorite Italian meal, be ready to ask questions and be careful not to drool on your keyboard.

Homework:
TBD

Faculty Class: SYA Spain
Spain: Monarchy or Republic?

Oriol Bastardes, SYA Spain History and Theater faculty

Thursday, April 15, 2021
12 p.m. EDT

During this session, we will discuss Spain's history as both a monarch and a republic. We will look at how this controversial topic continues to be debated today, particularly in the last few months.

Homework:
TBD

Language Clubs

Thursday, April 22, 2021 at 12p.m. EDT

SYA France:
La culture café: both the beverage and the place
Dominique Borotra, language faculty

SYA Italy:
Una sera al cinema
Alessandra Tuzi, language faculty

Your chance to participate in film club, Italian style. The film will be selected based on viewing availability and shared in advance.

Homework:

SYA Spain:
¿Quién me ha robado el mes de abril? Pongamos que hablo de … música *
Marta Escartín, language faculty

Homework:

*The topic was changed to music as the film was not available for streaming in the U.S.

May Classes and Language Clubs

Classes
Language Clubs

Classes

SYA France:
La Loi de la Sécurité Globale
Pascal Montéville, Political Science and Global Issues faculty

Thursday, May 6, 2021
12 p.m. EDT

Homework:
TBD

SYA Italy:
Topic to be determined
Santo Sammartino, History, Latin and Greek faculty

Thursday, May 13, 2021
12 p.m. EDT

Homework:
TBD

SYA Spain:
The Contemporary Shadow of Goya: The Influence of the Grand Master in Current Artists of Zaragoza
Sole Gutierrez, Art History faculty

Thursday, May 20, 2021
12 p.m. EDT

Language Clubs

Thursday, May 27, 2021 at 12p.m. EDT

SYA France:
L’agriculture et l’environnement en Bretagne
Céline Membrey, SYA France Environmental Science faculty

Homework:
TBD

SYA Italy:
Una sera al cinema
Alessandra Tuzi, language faculty

Your chance to participate in film club, Italian style. The film will be selected based on viewing availability and shared in advance.

Homework:
TBD

SYA Spain:
Topic to be determined
Carlota Abad, language faculty, and Megan Roof, Resident Director

Homework:
TBD

Webinars

Our Global Thinker Speaker series featuring alumni

Our Webinar Series includes panels featuring alumni speakers and Town Halls, where you can learn more about SYA’s first-ever comprehensive capital campaign, including details about each of the campaign initiatives, progress to goal, what the campaign has achieved so far, and how you can get involved! Visit the campaign website for more information about this bold initiative.

Reunions & Meet Ups

Classes ending in 1 or 6 celebrate milestone reunions this year! A big shout out to ES'71 — our first class of coeducation — and FR'71 as they celebrate their 50th reunion, and to the classes of CN'96, ES'96 and FR'96 as they celebrate their 25th.

SYA is here to help but yours is needed to successfully plan a virtual gathering that is meaningful for your class.
With physical distancing guidelines and travel limitations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which vary state by state and are often changing, the health and safety of our SYA family is our primary concern. There will be no in-person events for the foreseeable future and we encourage classes to postpone physical reunions and take advantage of hosting a virtual celebration.

There's no better time to reconnect with old friends and reminisce about your time abroad. If you're interested in helping your class plan a virtual reunion, contact the Alumni Office and we'll help get you started.

Not in a reunion year but would enjoy reconnecting with classmates? We'll help you plan a virtual meet up.

Be in touch with the Alumni Office and we'll help get the party going!

Reunions and Meet Ups

There are no events to display

reunion planning guide

EVENT FAQs

*Why do some events have a registration fee?

SYA's budget supports many areas, including the day-to-day operations of our campuses. We offer an early registration discount to encourage you to register in a timely manner.

Most virtual events will have not cost. Charging a registration fee helps to offset expenses allowing more funds to be applied to operating the schools. We've also found that a registration fee greatly reduces the number of no shows at events, which also helps SYA's budget by more accurately forecasting the actual number of attendees for catering and venue costs.

Faculty-led Webinars and Language Clubs
All who register are expected to participate and have conversational fluency in the target language. Because space is limited to 15 people, and to ensure that all who register are committed to attending, we have implemented a small fee of $15 per adult and $10 per young alum (’06-’20). If you would like to participate but are unable to pay the fee, please contact us.

Unfortunately, we are unable to process refunds if you cancel your registration; we can designate your payment as a donation to the SYA Fund. Please let us know immediately if your plans change so that we may fill your space with someone from the wait list.

I am unable to attend. Should I let you know?

Can I bring a guest?

Virtual Reunions and Class Chats

I haven't received an invitation. Why?

Have you moved? We invite alumni, parents and friends to events near their home, school or work, depending on the address information we have on record. Please let us know if we need to update our information. We'd love to invite you to events nearby!

Are you receiving our newsletter and evites? If not, we may have an older email address on record or our emails may be ending up in your spam folder. Be sure to mark events@sya.org, news@sya.org and alumni@sya.org as safe email addresses.

ALUMNI: You can make updates directly on connectsya.org.

Events

scheduled events

Event Registration

Sign up for as many events as you want to!

Register

February Events

March Events

April Events

May Events

Payment Information

Our Virtual Events

Classes and Language Clubs

February Classes and Language Clubs

Classes

Language Clubs

March Classes and Language Clubs

Classes

Language Clubs

April Classes and Language Clubs

Classes

Language Clubs

May Classes and Language Clubs

Classes

Language Clubs

Webinars

Reunions & Meet Ups

Reunions and Meet Ups

EVENT FAQs

*Why do some events have a registration fee?

I am unable to attend. Should I let you know?

Can I bring a guest?

Virtual Reunions and Class Chats

I haven't received an invitation. Why?