Yelena in Beijing

September, 2009, Yelena begins her senior year of high school as an exchange student on the campus of Beijing Normal University High School #2. Beijing Normal University is one of China's top teacher schools; the high school is across the street from the university campus.

Yelena, along with 58 other American students, will be participating in School Year Abroad's (SYA) academically rigorous high school and second-language immersion program while living with a Chinese host family. Two of Yelena's courses will be taught in Chinese each day, but the remainder of her courses will be taught in English. Yelena will return to the U.S. just in time to graduate with her Johnston High School classmates.

Beijing, a city of over seventeen million people and capital of China, has a latitude and climate similar to Lincoln, NE. Because of concern over the H1N1 flu virus, Yelena and her fellow exchange students spent seven days in a self-imposed quarantine at Jinshanling, near the Great Wall of China and historic site of the emperor's summer resort.

SYA is a consortium of 37 U.S. independent schools led by Phillips Academy (MA); Phillips Exeter Academy (NH); and St. Paul’s School (NH) dedicated to offering students from any accredited U.S. independent or public high school the opportunity to spend the school year immersed in another culture. SYA’s schools are located in Beijing, China; Rennes, France; Viterbo, Italy; Zaragoza, Spain; and Hanoi, Vietnam. For more information about School Year Abroad, visit their website at www.sya.org.

Yelena's sister Gwendolyn will be spending fall semester 800 miles to the south as part of her junior year program at Grinnell College. See more at http://gweninhangzhou.blogspot.com/

LN on Great Wall

More photos from Jinshanling, Hebei province

Section of the Great Wall

Amazing: Beautiful Maize growing in northern China

A summer escape in Northern China

SYA Update #1

Dear SYA China Parents,

I’m writing today with a quick update about the SYA China group. I am delighted to report that I just spoke to one of our staff members at the orientation site and it sounds like the students are having a great first week in China! Our staff has assured me that there are no reported illnesses and students are feeling well. I was also told to report to parents that students are eating a lot of fresh fruits and veggies!

Regarding activities, the week started off with some orientation and team building exercises. Today the group took an excursion on top of the Great Wall from Jinshanling to Simatai (my personal favorite route), about a 3-4 hour journey. This is truly one of the most picturesque parts of the wall, and with the good weather today I’m sure many students have some great photos to share. This evening there was a Chinese movie viewing followed by discussion.

I’ve included some pictures for you from departure, arrival and orientation for your viewing pleasure.

Please remember that it is completely normal not to hear from your sons/daughters until the orientation week is complete and they move into Beijing to meet their host families on September 3^rd. For now, please operate on the assumption that no news is good news.

As promised, we will continue to provide you with updates until the orientation is finished!

Warm Regards,

SARA A. BERNSTEIN

Associate Director of Admissions, China '02

www.sya.org

439 South Union St., Lawrence, MA 01843

SCHOOL YEAR ABROAD