Fieldwork
At the heart of SYA’s high school curriculum is experiential fieldwork
Through fieldwork, students get outside of the classroom, explore the culture around them and take ownership over their education with the support of their academic advisor. Fieldwork assignments can include navigating the city using a map, visiting world-renowned art museums and interviewing local experts about current events.
My favorite fieldwork was when we spent a day shadowing local students at the French high school, where SYA students eat lunch during the week. I spent the whole day going to all of their classes and got to make some friends with local students who I still talk to today." - Noelle A., FR '23, Berkely Carroll School
Capstone
The SYA Capstone is the culmination of the Experiential Language course.
The Capstone is designed to provide students with an opportunity to showcase their evolving language skills through a comprehensive project. These projects are crafted to embody the SYA mission, highlighting the student’s experience relying on, and engaging with, relevant local resources.
Semester students also complete a final project that rounds out their experience abroad.
My entire experience of studying abroad and living in Viterbo culminated in my Capstone Project. Not only was I able to witness the incredible medieval traditions of Viterbo, but I was able to participate in them and become a part of the long-standing history of the city." -Reagan H., IT'24, Mercersburg Academy
Recent SYA Capstone Projects
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Emily B., from SYA France, interviewed local female entrepreneurs in Brittany.
- Rogue S., from SYA France, learned about how children in Rennes are taught English in primary school.
- Piper J., from SYA Italy, composed an original song in Italian.
- Reagan H., from SYA Italy, learned about, and participated in, medieval flag waving.
- David H., from SYA Spain, built a cajón and performed traditional flamenco music.
- Lila G., from SYA Spain, researched the disappearing language of Aragonese.