Semester

Yes, semester students will live with host families. Host families provide you with involvement in your community, authentic means for learning about your new country and countless opportunities to develop language proficiency that are not possible in the classroom. By participating fully in the life of your host family, you will come in direct contact with valuable cultural, sociological, personal, political and practical aspects of life in your country that complement and complete the academic program.

Yes, semester students will travel with their yearlong peers. Educational travel is a key component of the SYA experience, providing opportunities for engagement in the host country, academic learning, cultural enrichment and personal discovery and growth. Travel is also integrated into all aspects of the curriculum via multi-day trips and field trips to local museums and historical sites to observe what has been discussed in the classroom.  As a required part of the curriculum, all school-sponsored travel is included in tuition.

Tuition for the 2025-2026 SYA Semester program is $35,000. Financial aid and scholarships are available for students applying to the SYA Semester program.

Financial Aid Info & FAQs

The application and financial aid application deadline for both Fall and Spring Semester are identical to the yearlong program. Applications for the 2026-2027 school year will open in the fall and close in February 2026.

Students enrolling in any SYA program will need to apply for a visa unless they will be traveling with a European Union passport. Our Admissions Team will be available to support families in obtaining visas after our admissions decisions are released.

Students who enroll in the SYA Semester program cannot extend to a full year due to visa restrictions. 

Both Fall and Spring semester students will participate in a culminating project, but not to the same extent as the yearlong students. Teachers will help guide the parameters so that the project is challenging, yet realistic, considering the shortened timeframe. 

In Spain and France, yes, provided students are able and willing to meet the course expectations. This will be assessed by an interview with SYA Spain or France staff. Based on the interview, some students may be prohibited from certain courses which require more advanced language proficiency.

In Italy, elective courses will be distinct for Spring semester students unless the student is not a beginner in Italian. An interview with SYA Italy staff will also be necessary to make this determination.

FRANCE

• Fall semester students depart September 2, 2025  arrive in Rennes September 3,  2025.
• Last day of the fall semester: December 19, 2025.
• Spring semester students depart January 6, 2026 and arrive in Rennes January 7, 2026.
• Spring semester students depart May 21, 2026.
   

ITALY

• Fall semester students depart August 29, 2025 , arrive in Viterbo August 30, 2025.
• Last day of the fall semester: December 18, 2025.
• Spring semester students depart January 9, 2026, arrive in Viterbo January 10, 2026.
• Spring semester students depart May 21, 2026.

SPAIN

• Fall semester students depart September 2, 2025 arrive in Zaragoza September 3, 2025.
• Fall semester students depart: December 19, 2025.
• Spring semester students depart January 9, 2026, arrive in Zaragoza January 10, 2026.
• Spring semester students depart May 21, 2026.