“It was exciting yet nerve-racking. It took me a few days to get adjusted but once I did, the trip became so much more fun. Living with a different family with different cultures and traditions opened my eyes to a lot of different things.” – Conor Murphey ‘25

“I went to SYA France for the 2014-2015 school year. The SYA experience was integral to my education in the classroom and in the world. 10 years later, I can easily say that pushing myself beyond my comfort zone was 100% worth it.” – Madeleine Megargee ‘16

“It’s very hard and also lonely and you don’t know anyone in the program. The cultural norms are entirely different and it can be exhausting to speak in a language that isn’t your own for a really long time. I think it was a great opportunity and I’m really glad that I did it. It’s really cool to be able to interact with another country’s culture like that. Staying with my host family and getting to know the city made me feel less like a tourist. and the weekly trips to other parts of France were awesome.” – Naomi Becker ‘25

“When I went to SYA France in 2022, I was so excited to be able to have a new experience and shift my perspective on the world a bit. I had never really traveled very far outside of the States so this experience was something that was going to be so new for me. And while it was scary at first it truly helped me realize a lot more about myself.” – Zoe DelGrande ‘24

“Going to SYA provided me with a unique experience that allowed me to partake in once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. My time in France allowed me to experience essential personal growth that continues to help me succeed better as a person today.” – Madison Scholl’24

“It was seriously the most transformative year of high school. I felt like I grew immensely in every area of my life. My year abroad completely reshaped my understanding of the world and expanded my worldview outside of the typical American mindset- you realize the U.S. is just a small part of a vast and very diverse world. It was also just the most fun you can have at sixteen or seventeen; traveling around Europe with your friends! I am 24 now and I am still close with the people I met that year and look back on it as one of the best years of my life.” – Mia Humphreys’18

“For me going to SYA was the best decision I could’ve made for myself. It gave me a chance to be a part of a community outside of SCH and to completely immerse myself in another culture. In doing so I was able to grow immensely and without SYA I would not be the person I am today.” – Ameara Smith’24