Tom's View from 30,000 Feet
As I begin my final year as President of SYA, I have been thinking back over the hundreds of conversations I have had during my decade of talking with SYAers throughout the globe. Time and again, one simple question has opened the door to laughter, nostalgia and conversation: “What was your SYA Moment?”
My first real SYA Moment as SYA President was during the 50th anniversary of SYA France, when we were at l’Opéra de Rennes for the big celebration. A cluster of alumni was gathered around an elderly couple (pictured above), who I came to learn were host parents, Monsieur and Madame LeFevre. In Madame LeFevre's, hand she held a handwritten list of all the students she had hosted over the years, many whom were gathered around her that night. While I knew from years of being involved with SYA that it can be life changing, it was the first time I truly comprehended the profound impact SYA has not only on students, but on the whole community.
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| Turning Vision Into Impact
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Each month, we share a glimpse into how SYA’s vision becomes reality — thanks to those who champion the value of global education.
In June, faculty and staff gathered for our third Conference on Teaching and Learning focused on several core themes: advisory programs, fieldwork, the integration of American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages standards, admissions and the evolving role of artificial intelligence in education. Each session encouraged cross-campus collaboration and the sharing of concrete strategies to strengthen the student experience.
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SYA is pleased to announce the addition of four trustees to its governing body: Amb. (ret.) Jess Baily FR'77, Liz Hume ES'87, Len Miller (Head of School, St. Mary's Hall, TX) and Chuck Baldecchi IT'24P (Head of School, Charlotte Latin School, NC). Upon these appointments, Chair of the Board Taylor Ruggles ES'85 said, “I am delighted to welcome Jess, Liz, Len and Chuck to the Board of Trustees. Their unique experiences and dedication to global learning will enrich SYA as it continues to inspire students to see the world and themselves through new perspectives.”
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In Person & Virtual Events
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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 now open for London, D.C. and Boston!
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| Hear from President Tom Hassan as he begins his final year and Chair of the Board Taylor Ruggles ES'85 as he begins his first. They'll share a view from 30,000 feet and lead a conversation with this year's award honorees.
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From the Alumni Community
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Cooking as a Gateway to Cultural Identity
In her first days at SYA China in 1998, a classmate led Anna Ansari CN'99 on bicycles through Beijing’s alleyways to a tiny restaurant — her first unforgettable taste of Uyghur food.
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Christopher Maurer ES'67, a professor of Spanish at Boston University, and colleagues received the 2025 Hamer Kegan Award from the Society of American Archivists for their work on Memory in Motion: Lorca and the Archive.
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The Admissions Team is already planning to be out on the road and online to begin recruitment of the Class of 2026. Share this information with students who would benefit from attending SYA.
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| The remote Admissions Marketing Intern interfaces with various members of the SYA community through social media and marketing programs. Ideal for a young alum in college!
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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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Stay up-to-date with current activities and future events by following us on your favorite social media channels.
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www.sya.org
School Year Abroad
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Suite 310
North Andover, MA 01845
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