Meet Yana - SYA Italy 2026
Extracurriculars Abroad: In the fall, I played tennis, took cooking classes, and taught English at a local Italian high school. In the spring, I took a fashion design and sewing class where I designed and handmade a dress and skirt.
Favorite SYA Class: My favorite class was Agroecology because it combined science and Italian cooking. Throughout the year, we visited farms, learned about traditional cooking techniques, and made olive oil, sourdough, fresh pecorino cheese, and even wine, while learning about the science behind everything.
Favorite Food in Italy: My favorite food was my host mom’s tiramisu. We ate it on birthdays, holidays, and celebrations, and it will forever have a place in my heart.
How did SYA impact your college search process?
Before SYA, I preferred big schools and did not quite know what I was interested in. Over the course of the year, I learned that I worked best in smaller environments, like my school in Viterbo, which completely changed my perspective. After my experience, I wanted a school with strong language and study abroad programs, which led me to Middlebury College where I will start in the fall.
Do you have a favorite memory with your host family?
My favorite host family memory is running to the bus stop every morning with my host sister, Caterina. Most days, we would still be at home at 8:28 and would have to run down the hill in San Martino at full speed to make the 8:30 bus. Despite all the anxiety it gave me, I had so much fun talking and laughing with Caterina, and I miss it every day.
What did you learn abroad that surprised you?
I learned that taking risks is so incredibly rewarding. Every risk I took, both big and small, ended up pushing me out of my comfort zone in the best way possible and led to experiences I never would have had otherwise. Whether it was speaking Italian even when I was nervous, traveling somewhere unfamiliar, or building relationships with people completely different from me, I realized that the moments that scared me the most were the ones that helped me grow and make the most of my experience.