<p>Has anyone ever gone abroad in H.S. with SYA? Right now I take Spanish in school and I want to go to Italy or Spain, I'd probably prefer Italy though. What were the classes like? I've heard they are hard, but they don't give much homework because they want you to enjoy the culture there, is that true? How does it compare to your normal school back in America?</p>
<p>Anyone know what the financial aid is like? Yeah, there is no way I could pay 40k, not including airfare and personal expenses. How much would you expect a family of four that makes 80-100k a year to get in FA and grants? </p>
<p>Ill answer some of these questions too, seeing as there might not be very many other SYAers here to do so. </p>
<p>The classes are perhaps a little bit easier in terms of course material, but the homework load is definitely not. In China, I had the same amount as I do back home. Dont expect to have much free time during school days. </p>
<p>Financial Aid is pretty generous. Also, they offer merit-based scholarships (not sure for which countries other than China), which is how I was able to go. They give lots of aid to students, so just apply for it. You will get more than you think. </p>
<p>I highly recommend going with SYA on a year abroad. Honestly, it changes your life.</p>
<p>1) a real learning experience where you get really immersed into the culture you're studying. students learn things that most kids only learn in college (about independence and bringing yourself to work without parents forcing you to). students learn all about their country and build a lifelong connection with it. you experience things that even citizens of the country don't, by going on trips and learning about your area.</p>
<p>2) an 8 month long beerfest with no real classes except for maybe a math and an easy english and an area/language study. most of the kids with you will be wealthy new england kids looking for an extended vacation. There are a number of "study" trips throughout that can be quite fun, and the freedom given to you makes this like college minus the work load. SYA in Europe especially is less "study" and more just "abroad".</p>
<p>often it's some sort of combination of the two. but it depends what you make of it, i've seen it go both ways.</p>
<p>oh, and academics have nothing to do with it, anyone can get in and do fine. The question is A) do you have the money and B) are you adventurous enough</p>
<p>My nephew went to Spain. He loved it and found it to be a break from his competitive high school. I'd expect them to maybe give you as much as half if accepted w/ aid.</p>
<p>MY D attended SYA Italy last year and it was a great experience for her and smallfishbigpound was absolutely right. She was a little disappointed to have so many of the kids not taking the experience seriously. She attends a top BS and at the end of the day LOVED the cultural/intellectual experience taking advantage of many opportunities but was disappointed in the academics and found that too many of the other kids were the #2 category. Returning to her BS, SYA gave her a renewed sense of purpose, drive and appreciation for the opportunities afforded her. She is very clear about what she is looking for in a college. Financial aid is generous ...go for it. </p>
<p>Since the class has only 60+ kids, each year has a different dynamic.</p>
<p>They look great overall but in hindsight, I should have asked for the matriculation rates for each of the programs. Are the SYA China kids getting into H/P/Y at a higher rate than ...?</p>