Meet sage - SYA France 2026
Extracurriculars Abroad: While abroad, my extracurriculars included going to the gym, taking a few cooking classes, and being a part of the spirit committee, the tutoring club, and the newspaper.
Favorite SYA Class: My favorite class was my French cinema class, where we were able to not only study and watch historical film eras but also create our own films.
Favorite Food in France: My favorite food has by far been tartiflette, which is potato, cheese, and ham, all baked into one delicious meal.
How did SYA impact your college search process?
SYA has made me realize how much I want to go abroad again in college, so in my search, I've been making sure to look for schools with abroad programs. Additionally, I've been looking for schools where I would be able to take an elective similar to the French cinema one I took here.
Do you have a favorite memory with your host family?
My favorite memory with my host family is when we were skiing together during February break. It was after a long day of skiing, and my host dad, who hadn't gone skiing, made us raclette, which we enjoyed together while describing all the stories of our day to him. Afterwards, we played a round of Catan, a game which I grew to absolutely love while abroad, and though I didn't win, it was one of the moments where I truly felt as though I was a part of their family.
What did you learn abroad that surprised you?
Something I've learned abroad that's surprised me has been the culture around meals in France. In the United States, at least in my household, breakfast and lunch are often eaten separately according to one's own schedule. In France, almost every morning I would share breakfast with my host mom, and almost every Saturday my entire host family would have lunch together. These routines are a huge part of the French culture and have built such a community between my host family and me.