Tom's View from 30,000 Feet
Between Here and There: Fluency Begins When You Leave Your Seat
What happens when students step beyond the classroom and into someone else’s daily life? Across SYA campuses, exchanges with local schools invite students to do just that: trading familiarity for immersion and observation for participation. On our Spain campus, Un día aquí, un día allí brings this philosophy to life, pairing students for a shared school day that challenges assumptions, builds confidence and sparks meaningful connection. It’s in these ordinary moments — navigating new classrooms, conversations and cultures — that language becomes real and growth begins.
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Opening Doors — and What Comes Next
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Four SYA France students brought the Champs Élysées to life for the residents at Lucien Schroeder Nursing Home in Rennes. Music sparked smiles, stories bridged generations and connections with the audience, including two former host families, and reminded us how lasting the SYA experience can be. You may recognize three of them from last month's newsletter. Erick is this year's Halsey Scholar and Max and Eli are class scholars (sponsored by Class of SYA France '71 and Class of SYA France '74, respectively), funded by class gifts to the SYA Fund.
For one, that support extended even further. Using funds made available through the Tom Hassan World of Opportunities Fund, he was also able to take private music lessons while in Rennes — developing his craft in a way that made this performance possible.
Together, these layers of support tell a powerful story: the SYA Fund opens the door, and the Tom Hassan World of Opportunities Fund helps students step fully into all that awaits them once they arrive. Watch the video — and consider how your support can make experiences like this possible.
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Join us for one of the last four SYA Moments events as we honor Tom’s ten years of leadership — and the countless moments that make SYA so special. Register for Chicago, New York City, LA and Denver below. See photos from this year's events.
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*Chicago is near capacity and we are now accepting waitlist registrations for LA.
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Across campuses, students describe learning in moments that feel small but stay with them. In Spain, one student stumbles into an offbeat brunch spot after months in Zaragoza, surprised by how something as simple as pancakes and a playful space can bring a sense of familiarity. In Rennes, another sits between her father and host parents, translating jokes and conversation, aware that connection is happening even beyond the words she can carry between them. And in Naples, a routine school assignment turns into a crowded café conversation, where strangers lean in, speak slowly and share openly — shifting language from something practiced to something lived.
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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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| Need a new favorite sweatshirt or hoodie? Or maybe a coffee cup for your morning cappuccino?
Take a look at the online store for SYA merch — from cozy, travel-ready layers to everyday favorites that keep SYA close wherever you go. Browse the collection and find something that travels with you — or brings a little SYA into your daily routine.
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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
120 Water Street
Suite 310
North Andover, MA 01845
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© 2026 School Year Abroad | 120 Water Street, Suite 310 | North Andover, MA 01845 | www.sya.org
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