SYA High School Study Abroad Program in Spain

Every student should have the opportunity to study with SYA. The 7 months I spent in Zaragoza, Spain changed the trajectory of my life through the program’s emphasis on cultural immersion, curiosity, and independence. I made lifelong friends and still feel that I have a home in Spain. The most valuable skill I learned was how to be comfortable being uncomfortable, something made easy with the supportive and welcoming staff. Classmates, teachers, and host families become family in the close-knit community that powers the program.

SYA was hands down one of the best experiences I have ever had. The program helped me grow in self confidence, intercultural competency, and independence. Living with a host family was yet another incredible experience, and also a ton of fun. The school itself was set up for student success and I always felt like I had a ton of support from not only fellow students, but the SYA faculty as well. From making friends I am still in touch with today, to traveling around Spain and Portugal, the entire program was educational and so much fun!

My name is Jacob Sherwindt, and I am a sophomore at Carnegie Mellon University and an alum of SYA Spain, class of 2020. My year in Zaragoza has been one of the most impactful experiences of my life. I was able to gain fluency in Spanish, meet lifelong friends, and broaden my global perspective.

Every part of SYA was a dream come true for 17 year old me. My host family quickly became my second family, and the city of Zaragoza became a new home for me. SYA does a fantastic job of providing relevant and rewarding classes for their students, and I took full advantage of this opportunity. For the first time in my life, I woke up each morning excited to go to class. That feeling was irreplaceable, and I hope that many more students get to feel the same way during their study abroad experience.