Italy
Explore THE ancient City of viterbo at SYA italy
Italy is a country of layers where ancient ruins and modern culture exist in harmony. SYA Italy will help you see how the two relate through experiential learning and interdisciplinary high school classes — all initially taught in English except for Italian.
Enrich your language skills and deepen your relationship with the Italian culture during your year abroad in Italy.
Viterbo provides the ideal launching point — big enough to offer an exciting day-to-day life, small enough to feel like home and only a 90-minute train ride from Rome. Living with a host family and participating in local activities will help you build a lasting community abroad.
SYA challenges its students to be hands-on with their education and find ways to apply knowledge to real-world situations. We spent a week learning about the Arch of Constantine, but it was rewarding to see the art in person and be able to point out the intricate details we had learned in Art History Class. When we learned about the politics of immigration in Italy, we had the chance to meet refugees, hear their stories for ourselves, and volunteer at organizations that helped them. SYA makes learning memorable.” - Kimiye M. IT '18, 'Iolani School
Watch to Learn More About SYA Italy
I have watched myself step up again and again, working through situations in a foreign country and foreign language which I would have shied away from in my own American hometown." - Phebe O. IT '22, John Bapst Memorial High School
Quick Facts About SYA Italy
BY THE NUMBERS
- 12 faculty members
- 45 students
- 10 courses offered
- 50 miles from Rome
Immersive Learning
SYA Italy allows students to immerse themselves directly in the Italian language and culture through living with host families and joining activities in the community.
curriculum
Students take six classes. All courses are taught in English, and the language and elective classes incorporate Italian progressively throughout the year.
There's one thing that’s certain about life as an SYA student - there is always something to look forward to." -Camila F. IT ' 22, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School
SYA Italy Storyteller Posts
![blue venice canal stands out against colored buildings and a blue sky]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1731324987/sya/fbtae0fidwlfryw0yfi9/TavakolNov1.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1731324987/sya/fbtae0fidwlfryw0yfi9/TavakolNov1.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1731324987/sya/fbtae0fidwlfryw0yfi9/TavakolNov1.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1731324987/sya/fbtae0fidwlfryw0yfi9/TavakolNov1.png","width":936}])
Farah writes about traveling with her host family to Venice and Rome, and reflecting on what it means to live in Italy but not be a tourist.
![photo is of the inside of an old italian church with columns down the sides]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1731324747/sya/sllpkiydng4ppz2ma7qc/CaggianoNov.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1731324747/sya/sllpkiydng4ppz2ma7qc/CaggianoNov.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1731324747/sya/sllpkiydng4ppz2ma7qc/CaggianoNov.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1731324747/sya/sllpkiydng4ppz2ma7qc/CaggianoNov.jpg","width":936}])
Lukas writes about learning how to take the bus to a local Italian town for fieldwork!
![a girl studying abroad stands in front of an old Italian ruin]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1731323352/sya/j9ozd3mxyhxennnphbjf/ZhangNov1.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1731323352/sya/j9ozd3mxyhxennnphbjf/ZhangNov1.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1731323352/sya/j9ozd3mxyhxennnphbjf/ZhangNov1.jpg","width":678}])
Elizabeth writes about her experience maintaining a local archeological site and participating in a dig of an old Etruscan Tomb.
![pink clouds sit over a calm sea at sunset]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1729004566/sya/ptjujdwbyenemvqd9nnv/ZhangOct2.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1729004566/sya/ptjujdwbyenemvqd9nnv/ZhangOct2.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1729004566/sya/ptjujdwbyenemvqd9nnv/ZhangOct2.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1729004566/sya/ptjujdwbyenemvqd9nnv/ZhangOct2.png","width":916}])
Elizabeth writes about SYA Italy's trip to Terracina to conclude the immersion unit. She reflects on what it means to embrace the unknown each day as she explores Italy!
![in a wooded area several cats sit and play in the grass]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1729003932/sya/w53wp6tcqu1rn9jz7nn3/CaggianoOct1.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1729003932/sya/w53wp6tcqu1rn9jz7nn3/CaggianoOct1.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1729003932/sya/w53wp6tcqu1rn9jz7nn3/CaggianoOct1.jpg","width":730}])
Lukas writes about a recent fieldwork day where students walked to a local hot spring and explored the countryside near Viterbo!
![Group of three SYA Italy high school students studying abroad stands together in orange aprons during a cooking class]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1729002807/sya/qr8ogrqhzwtytgxq5dyj/TavakolOct2.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1729002807/sya/qr8ogrqhzwtytgxq5dyj/TavakolOct2.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1729002807/sya/qr8ogrqhzwtytgxq5dyj/TavakolOct2.jpg","width":694}])
Farah writes about her transition to Italy and how moving to Italy without knowing Italian has challenged her and also been incredibly rewarding.