Tom's View from 30,000 Feet
Bridging Worlds
December has a way of bringing worlds together. For SYA students, the holiday season often marks the first time they feel the pull of home while being fully rooted in another culture. Traditions overlap, expectations shift and students find themselves living in the in-between … discovering that belonging doesn’t have to be singular.
Over the years, I’ve come to believe this is one of the most meaningful moments of an SYA year. Students are no longer simply observing another culture; they are learning how to carry their own traditions while making space for new ones. From shared tables to shared learning, including a Thanksgiving exchange with students at the Dinard Lycée Hôtelier in France (watch video above), these moments reveal how cultural understanding becomes lived, personal and deeply human.
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As the Year Comes to a Close
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“I have always had a passion for travel and immersion in new cultures … but it wasn’t a reality for my family until I found SYA. Only due to your generous donation have I been able to follow my passions, and for that I am so thankful.” – Kalia ES’26
As we reflect at year’s end, stories like this remind us that generosity opens doors. Year-end gifts help ensure that curious, motivated students can access an SYA experience, regardless of financial circumstance. A gift made by December 31 creates opportunities that students carry with them for a lifetime. Thank you for being part of a community that changes lives—often in ways that students carry with them forever.
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SYA Campus Storytellers Alexis K. and Lucy C. share how everyday moments transform into lasting connections abroad. In Parque Grande, Alexis finds calm, community and unexpected wonders on every walk. While in Florence, Lucy traces the city’s heartbeat from the Duomo to hidden piazzas, turning lessons into lived experiences. Both remind us how travel, curiosity and small daily rituals can make a place feel like home.
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Join us for unforgettable gatherings of connection, celebration and reflection as we honor Tom’s ten years of leadership — and the countless moments that make SYA so special. Registration is open for San Francisco (January 21) and New York City (April 9). See photos from this year's events and stay tuned for events in more cities, including Denver, LA, Chicago and Milwaukee!
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| SYA Italy's 25th Anniversary:
Early Boarding Taking Place!
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Make your plans to join us in Rome and Viterbo from April 21-25, 2026 to celebrate a quarter century and to thank Resident Director Pat Scanlon for over two decades of service as he sets to retire at the end of the academic year.
We're excited to plan another milestone celebration for all members of our community to join in. This will be your chance to see Italy through SYA's eyes. Early Boarding prices end January 5.
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| Daniel Bögre Udell ES’08: An Ongoing Mission to Preserve Voices
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When Wikitongues Co-founder Daniel Bögre Udell ES’08 visited SYA Spain to speak with current students about his work, it felt like the perfect moment to revisit his story — first published in 2019 — and see how his mission to preserve the world’s languages has evolved.
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When alums visit, campus life gets a little brighter. Whether returning to their own campus or exploring another SYA location, it’s a chance to speak with students, share their own experiences abroad and see how life at SYA continues to evolve — from the classroom to the community.
Visiting France, Italy or Spain? Let us know to help connect you to campus!
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| Give the students in your life the best gift suggestion of all — a year that changes everything.
This is the season to imagine what’s possible. If someone you know is curious about the world, languages and who they might become, encourage them to apply.
Applications to SYA are open, with a February 12 deadline. Be in touch with a member of the Admissions Team with any questions.
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Our Mission
School Year Abroad (SYA) is committed to promoting intercultural understanding and appreciation through the immersive adventure of fully engaging with different languages and peoples. SYA guides its students through a challenging curriculum focused on developing skills and cultural competencies for an increasingly interdependent world.
Learn more about our focus and approach.
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www.sya.org
School Year Abroad
120 Water Street
Suite 310
North Andover, MA 01845
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