A Day in the Life

7:30 am

Wake Up

Get ready for your day in Rennes, France!

8:00 am

Have Breakfast

Enjoy a traditional French breakfast with your host family. 

8:15 am

Go to High School

SYA students live in, or nearby, Rennes. Students walk, bike or take public transportation to high school. Some students even walk through the 18th century Parc du Thabor on their way!

9:00 am

French Language

Start off classes with an intensive French Language class and master the language through discussions, presentations, interviews and hands-on fieldwork throughout Rennes.

9:50 am

Math

SYA students can choose from a variety of math courses (taught in English) ranging from Advanced Algebra to AP Calculus BC. These courses combine in-class and online learning activities in a hybrid learning environment, with a focus on developing independent learning skills.

10:40 AM

English

While many of your classes are in French, English is taught in English by teachers from American independent schools. Using a variety of texts you will further explore globalism and the abroad experience through literature.

11:25 AM

Lunch

For lunch, you will further practice your French language skills by eating at a local high school.

12:45 PM

Advisory

In your weekly advisory period, meet with your peers and advisor to support one another through the personal challenges and victories that come with living abroad. 

1:35 PM

Free Period

Walk down cobblestone streets or past the Parlement de Bretagne with your new friends or work on upcoming assignments.

2:25 PM

Political Science and Global Issues

Analyze the impact of the media and the role of journalism in contemporary French politics. 

3:10 pm

Break

Head to a local bakery with your friends to pick up a snack of French baguettes!

3:25 PM

Environmental Science

Understand the biodiversity of Brittany firsthand.

4:15 pm

Art History

Prepare for your upcoming class trip to Paris by presenting on various works on display at the Louvre. 

5:15 pm

Extra-Curricular Activities

Spend your afternoons participating in sports teams, visual and preforming arts, or volunteering.

6:30 PM

Visit a Patisserie

Stop by your favorite café for a macaron or a Breton galette.

7:00 PM

Dinner

Enjoy delicious French cuisine with your host family!

7:00 AM

Wake Up

Get ready for your day in Viterbo, Italy!

7:15 am

Have Breakfast

Enjoy a traditional Italian breakfast with your host family.

7:30 AM

Head to School

All SYA students live near the SYA campus and walk, bike or take public transportation to school.

8:10 AM

Advisory

In your weekly advisory period, meet with your peers and advisor to support one another through the personal challenges and victories that come with living abroad. 

9:00 am

Italian Language

Most students begin their year at SYA Italy as complete beginners of Italian. Through this fast-paced course and conversing with host families, students quickly absorb the local language and some even choose to take the AP Italian Language Exam after their year of intensive language immersion at SYA. 

9:50 am

Math Class

SYA students can choose from a variety of math courses (taught in English) ranging from Advanced Algebra to AP Calculus BC. These courses combine in-class and online learning activities in a hybrid learning environment, with a focus on developing independent learning skills.

10:40 am

Break

Meet your classmates at your favorite café for a cappuccino or cornetto. 

11:00 am

Ancient History through Art

Come to fully understand the Greeks, Etruscans and the Romans by reading and analyzing  primary sources and archaeological remains.

11:50 am

Experiential Italian

SYA students practice their growing language and cultural skills in real-world contexts at school, as well as via experiences within the city and region on fieldwork days. 

12:40 pm

Lunch

SYA Italy students eat lunch nearby at the mensa, a local dining hall for Italian students.  

1:40 pm

Local and Global Perspectives

Interview Afghan refugees and hear their moving personal stories. Later analyze this issue from different perspectives

2:30 pm

Applied Agroecology

Walk down the road from school to SYA's urban farm and learn hands-on about growing and producing Italy's world famous foods.

3:20 pm

English

At SYA, English is taught by teachers from American independent schools. Using a variety of texts, you will further explore globalism and the abroad experience through literature while building critical and creative writing skills.

4:00 PM

Visit a Gelateria 

Stop for a scoop of your favorite gelato with your friends. 

4:30 PM

Extra-Curricular Activities

Spend your afternoons participating in sports teams, visual and preforming arts or Italian cooking classes.

6:30 pm

Head back home

Stop to enjoy the view on your walk back home with your friends.

8:00 pm

Dinner

Enjoy a buonissima Italian  dinner with your host family!

After Dinner

Complete your homework, relax with your host family and get ready for another day in Viterbo, Italy!

7:15 am

Wake Up

Get ready for your day in Zaragoza, Spain!

7:30 am

Have Breakfast

Enjoy a traditional Spanish breakfast with your host family. 

8:00 am

Go to School

SYA students live in, or nearby, Zaragoza. They walk, bike or take public transportation to school.

8:45 am

Spanish Civilization and Culture

Classes at SYA will engage you with your surroundings. Start the academic day by analyzing the impact of the Napoleonic War in the urban planning of Zaragoza.

9:35 am

Math

SYA students can choose from a variety of math courses (taught in English) ranging from Advanced Algebra to AP Calculus BC. These courses combine in-class and online learning activities in a hybrid learning environment, with a focus on developing independent learning skills.

10:25 am

Spanish Language

In addition to improving Spanish language skills with your host family, you will master Spanish language, grammar and culture through SYA's fast-paced Spanish language course.

11:05 am

Break

Check in with teachers about assignments, grab a coffee, catch up with friends in historic downtown Zaragoza or go to a nearby Spanish market or café to buy some local treats for a merienda!

11:30 am

Advisory

In your weekly advisory period, meet with your peers and advisor to support one another through the personal challenges and victories that come with living abroad. 

12:20 pm

Free Period

Complete your homework, meet with teachers or hang out with your friends in downtown Zaragoza.

1:10 pm

Spanish Theater

Prepare for your upcoming production by preparing the set or rehearsing your lines in Spanish. 

1:55 pm

Lunch

SYA Spain students eat lunch at a local high school close to campus - allowing SYA students the chance to try new foods!

2:45 pm

Macroeconomics 

Understand Spain's history through its economic policies.

3:35 pm

English

While electives are in taught in Spanish, English is taught in English by teachers from American independent schools. Using a variety of texts, you will further explore globalism and the abroad experience through literature.

5:00 pm

Extra-Curricular Activities

Spend your afternoons participating in sports teams, visual and preforming arts or traditional Spanish activities like flamenco dancing and Spanish cooking classes.

6:30 pm

Head back home

Walk, bike or take public transportation back home.

7:00 pm

Free Time

Complete homework assignments and spend time with friends or your host family. At SYA you will find yourself on all sorts of adventures like learning to cook paella with your host parents or going to a soccer game with your Spanish friends.

9:00 pm

Dinner

Enjoy Spanish delicacies with your host family!

After Dinner

Work on homework assignments, relax with your host family and get ready for another day in Zaragoza, Spain!