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
![two gelato cups next to each other on a cobblestone street.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1717014122/sya/xdmijasr7osjfl37nb6q/AddieZMay3.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1717014122/sya/xdmijasr7osjfl37nb6q/AddieZMay3.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1717014122/sya/xdmijasr7osjfl37nb6q/AddieZMay3.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1717014122/sya/xdmijasr7osjfl37nb6q/AddieZMay3.png","width":936}])
Addie writes about saying goodbye to SYA Italy and reflects on her many "lasts" as she prepares to leave.
![two cappuccinos sitting next to each other on a bar counter.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1717013924/sya/vrajq4l4x4iwtvikvbuc/AddieZApril.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1717013924/sya/vrajq4l4x4iwtvikvbuc/AddieZApril.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1717013924/sya/vrajq4l4x4iwtvikvbuc/AddieZApril.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1717013924/sya/vrajq4l4x4iwtvikvbuc/AddieZApril.png","width":936}])
Addie writes about running into her host sister coming back from her spring break travel. She ties this to the unexpected moments of SYA and the joy of studying abroad.
![A high school student studying abroad plays in the festival band marching through the streets of Viterbo Italy.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1717013665/sya/gdynut7mxpl9ldiixxti/ReaganMay2.gif","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1717013665/sya/gdynut7mxpl9ldiixxti/ReaganMay2.gif","width":414}])
Reagan writes about his successful, ambitious capstone project to join a medieval festival band in Viterbo and perform with them at the festivals happening during his project.
![Two students stand in front of street art in Italy.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1717013396/sya/glwjlevuhzucouofp9ar/AaliyahApril2.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1717013396/sya/glwjlevuhzucouofp9ar/AaliyahApril2.jpg","width":302}])
Aaliyah writes about her experience taking art history at SYA and how she's explored street art throughout Italy for class.
![a picture of a computer and a capuccino on a white table.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1712162731/sya/sbrrtkkski6lf8zy3t3t/AddieMarch1.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1712162731/sya/sbrrtkkski6lf8zy3t3t/AddieMarch1.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1712162731/sya/sbrrtkkski6lf8zy3t3t/AddieMarch1.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1712162731/sya/sbrrtkkski6lf8zy3t3t/AddieMarch1.png","width":936}])
Addie writes about resetting between busy school trips and how Viterbo has become home, a relaxing, familiar place to be.
![two high school girls hugging outside a store in sicily]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1712162519/sya/jcqtgjru3fdtgdpeghst/AiofeMarch1.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1712162519/sya/jcqtgjru3fdtgdpeghst/AiofeMarch1.jpg","width":464}])
Aoife writes about the idea "Dolce Far Niente" and her discovery of this way of life during her school trip to Sicily.