School Year Abroad (SYA) allows American students to live in a foreign country for either a semester or a full academic year. Students can choose to immerse themselves in the language and culture of France, Italy, or Spain. Each student lives in a small city in one of these countries with a host family who help them with the transition to newfound customs and culture.
This year, while we have students studying away through a number of different programs, three Potomac students are studying abroad in Spain and Italy through SYA. Lena Thornell ‘27 and Donovan Wheelock ‘27 are both studying in Viterbo, Italy. Gia Lee ‘27 is studying in Zaragoza, Spain.
Wheelock spoke to your correspondent in great detail about his experience being a full-year student abroad in Italy. He described how he has enjoyed immersing himself in Italian culture and mentioned his host family and the newfound bonds he has formed with them. One of his favorite moments was a birthday party his host family threw for him where he was surprised by new friends. When asked about his favorite food he had eaten in Italy so far, he described a margherita pizza-like calzone. He describes Viterbo as a welcoming and spontaneous community, emphasizing how many new connections and experiences he has been lucky enough to take part in.
When describing his growth since coming to Italy, he said, “I’ve grown understanding of how to live.” He mentions how much his horizons have broadened and how living in Italy has allowed him to open up the possibility of moving to the country in the future. He has also grown to appreciate both Italian and American cultures but is glad to “get out of the small bubble” of McLean. The hardest challenge he has overcome is the language barrier.
Wheelock described how his first week in Viterbo made him feel like a toddler because of how little Italian he knew. This struggle, however, presented him with new motivation to learn, and communicate better using the new language. With some advice from his Latin teacher in Italy in mind, he likes to think of learning new languages as a game that he never stops playing.
His advice for future students is that studying abroad is “exactly what you make of it.” You might choose to spend it perfecting your Italian, making new connections, or immersing yourself in the culture. Studying abroad presents a unique opportunity to both relax and push yourself. He said that although he did not feel ready, he found the risk of “diving in” worth it. He recommends leaning into discomfort and just “doing it.”
Lena Thornell ‘27 described her exciting experience exploring the vast culture Viterbo has to offer and her success with the Italian language. One such moment included her recent trip to Florence, Italy.
“I went with a bunch of my friends. We went shopping, saw the dome, and I got to practice my Italian with some locals,” Thornell reflected.
She also shared, “My favorite food is definitely the pesto pasta at this one restaurant that my friends and I eat at for lunch on Tuesdays. It’s called La Spaghetteria, and it is the best food I’ve had here for sure.” Overall, she expressed how much fun studying abroad has been, whether it be in relation to learning a new language, making new friends, or exploring all Italy has to offer.
Although Thornell enjoys experiencing Italian culture, she also emphasized how much she’s grown with her Italian skills. She expressed, “One way I’ve grown is that I have definitely been more experiential with my Italian here for sure, and not as much as when I was learning Spanish at Potomac. Obviously, because I’m learning a language in a country where I can practice it with locals, my host family, some of my Italian friends, and my Italian teachers.” She also shares the differences between Potomac and SYA schools, saying that Potomac is harder academically; however, the trade-off in terms of cultural exposure makes SYA worth it.
Thornell’s main piece of advice for future SYA students is “don’t pressure yourself too much on work.”
Gia Lee ‘27 reflected on her time so far in Zaragoza, Spain. One aspect of living in Spain she described is the differences of “daily life rhythms.” She noted things such as how locals eat much later than Americans normally do and that the “city feels alive at night.” She also says stores often close a few hours in the afternoon; it was definitely something she had to adjust to.
Adapting to these new aspects of life forced her “to slow down and be more flexible,” Lee said.
Lee indicated that SYA is not necessarily easier than Potomac, just different. She said that it’s been difficult to take her core classes in Spanish but suggested that socially, it’s easier because the small classes make it easier to grow close to classmates. She mentioned how she’s been pushed outside her comfort zone and how her Spanish has grown so much through applying it in real-life situations. She mentioned she has been more open to new experiences and has gotten better at adapting.
Her advice for future SYA students is to “make the most of the time you have.” She mentioned that although she is only halfway through her time abroad, she already misses it. Lee emphasized the importance of seeing things in a “positive light” and how this can really improve the memory-making experience.
Ultimately, my conversations with these students uncovered how studying abroad has improved many aspects of their lives, including independence, language skills, and cultural perspectives. While making memories, they also bring back broadened horizons.
