“How many hours of language do you have a week?” The representative asked me.

“About four,” I responded. “That’s how many you’ll have every day before lunchtime,” she said.

It was my sophomore year and I was passing through the Chapel for no real reason. I looked into Mr. Simpson’s room only to be met with the School Year Abroad Representative that I had forgotten was coming. I decided to stick around, and, in doing so, changed the course of the next year of my life.

School Year Abroad defines itself as “The only high school study abroad program which allows students to live with a European or Asian family for an entire academic year while earning U.S. high school graduation credits and preparing for selective U.S. colleges and universities.” Founded in 1964 by Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, SYA is supported by a consortium of forty four top independent schools across the country. It is a program in which you can spend your junior or senior year in Spain, France, Italy, or China living with a host family all while learning the language and culture.

Some students may be a bit petrified by the thought of going to a foreign country for nine months, let alone during the toughest year of high school, but School Year Abroad does all that they can to assure that everything is taken care of. According to SYA.org, “At SYA, [students] have the advantage of earning high school credit for your year studying abroad while learning from exceptional U.S. independent school and locally-hired faculty.” Advanced Placement (AP) courses, standardized testing, college counseling, as well as extensive grade and progress reports are all a part of the School Year Abroad experience.

Every student lives with a host family handpicked for them. Each program has a Host Family Coordinator who works over the summer using a series of surveys filled out by the student, the student’s parents, and potential host families to decide which family is the best fit for you. Every family is interviewed and the coordinator does several home visits before deciding whether or not they qualify. In the unlikely event that a poor match is made, the school will work with the student to resolve the problem or, if need be, place them with a different host family.

For the Spanish and French programs two years of prior experience in the language is required, while the Italian and Chinese programs do not expect any prior classes. The majority of classes are taught in the language by local faculty, while English and math are taught by American teachers who travel over with the students and return to their American school at the end of the year.

As a School Year Abroad France Alumna I can personally attest to the struggles and amazing benefits that come with attending. In my own experiences, the language and cultural barriers– the main concern of new students– are a lot more daunting in theory than in reality. My host family and teachers spoke slowly at first, gradually acclimating me to their typical pace. They took every measure possible to ensure that every student was in the appropriately leveled classes, and gave one-on-one aid where it was needed.

The cultural barrier can be a bit shocking at first— dinner at 9 p.m., everyone running five minutes late, and twelve-year olds smoking cigarettes—but over time the quirks that scared me at the start of the year became the things that I have grown to miss the most.

I never imagined studying abroad in high school, but I am so glad that I did. Through a lot of luck I accidentally attended that School Year Abroad information session, and with a leap of faith I decided to go to France for nine months. It was an amazing experience that taught me so much about myself and the world, throwing me into the midst of it all. I was integrated into my community through sports and community service, and I formed friendships with local French students that I continue to hold onto, despite being thousands of miles away.

Kyle Watson ’15, a School Year Abroad Italy Alum, shared some memories of his experience. “I never really had any hesitations about going to SYA, I never once thought that there was a reason for me not to go.” When asked about how difficult it was for him to make the decision to leave he responded, “Traveling to Italy has always been one of my dreams.”

For Kyle, the language barrier was by far the hardest part of his transition. “I think the biggest cultural barrier for me was the language. For a few months I had to try and convey my words through hand gestures while listening as my little host brothers tried their best to talk to me with the few English words they knew.” He went on, “The way I overcame this was dedication, my director put it perfectly for me. ‘You are the one who has to make this experience your own, we can only teach you so much in the classroom, but the real learning happens outside.’”

When asked about his host family he only had kind things to say. “The best part about my host family was how caring they were.” He added, “My host mother would always be there if I needed her and helped me get through some difficult times.” Over the course of nine months it is difficult to pinpoint a favorite moment, but Kyle managed to find one all the same. “For Easter my extended host family came to our apartment in Viterbo [Italy]. There were at least fifteen people cramped at one table yelling, arguing, and laughing at each other all while speaking in three different Italian Dialects. This is a memory I will hold dear to me forever,” Kyle noted.

Gabby Small ’16, a current student of School Year Abroad Spain, shared her thoughts from abroad. “Every day I discover new foods, customs, peoples, words and challenges,” Gabby stated. “Life in Spain has been stimulating, humbling, and, at times, quite confusing. But the city of Zaragoza has become my stomping ground after my first month of exploration.”

When asked about some of the challenges she was referring to Gabby stated, “The language barrier between my family and me was frustrating at first, but rapidly improved as I got used to [their] routine and as my language skills continue to grow.”

Culture shock was not too difficult to deal with either, she added. “I quickly adopted to the late dinners and lengthy coffee breaks. It was a bit of a struggle explaining why I wouldn’t eat “conejo” (rabbit) or how it’s normal to be barefoot in my house… [but] upon arrival my host mom constantly reminded me [that] this is [my] family now and this is [my home]. I am extremely grateful for how comfortable we are together.”

Overall I truly believe that everyone should spend a year abroad with School Year Abroad. It is an amazing experience that does a fantastic job of showing young students the world through an educational and exciting lens. School Year Abroad gives you another language, culture, and family for nine unforgettable months.

Rennes, France is undeniably my home away from home. I speak with my host family often, and I eagerly await visiting them again. My language skills are just one of the perks of the greatest year of my life, and it is still shocking that I was given so many amazing opportunities at such a young age. I got to explore Europe and immerse myself in an entirely new community. I was an assistant captain for the local rugby team that became the Champions of Brittany, France, I gave English lessons to families in my town, and I made friends with people that I would have never met if not for School Year Abroad.

I encourage everyone to learn more about this amazing experience! If you have any questions about School Year Abroad, please contact me at [email protected] or come find me on campus!