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02-03-2007, 09:33 PM
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#61 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Enjoying the mountains and sunshine in Colorado
Posts: 3,187
| Garrity -- just out of curiosity -- where do you get your information? You say that SYA kids in the Spain program are into drugs and alcohol -- not at all what I have heard! The program specifically forbides drug or alcohol use and they do dismiss kids from the program for violating the rules.
I can certainly see where competitive athletes would not be interested in any study abroad program because of the impact on athletics, but I don't see how the program would attract kids into drugs and alcohol. | 
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02-03-2007, 09:38 PM
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#62 | | Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 475
| Your info is incorrect. Those are the rules,but not the reality. I know four families and their children who were there last year. Three or four were sent back to the U.S. for alcohol infractions. One secretary even bought the kids wine at dinner. | |
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02-03-2007, 09:40 PM
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#63 | | Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 475
| Although occasionally a child will be expelled for substance violations,these students were just sent back for two or three weeks at their own expense. | |
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02-03-2007, 09:42 PM
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#64 | | Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 475
| At SYA Spain many,no,most students hang around a local park at night where alcohol is consumed and hashish and marijuana are easily available to anyone. | |
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02-03-2007, 09:44 PM
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#65 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,317
| Shelly, sorry, saw you wrote me a PM but I can't read my PMs for some reason.You do have a valid concern, after all the freedom of SYA, the transition back to school has some kinks. However, for those of us who love our schools and friends, we are genuinely happy to go back for our senior year. I did, however, resume my travel right after graduation! That said, I wouldn't have missed SYA for anything, and everyone I know who went agrees.
There are drugs everywhere, no more on SYA than at school or than in the local park at home. Did hear someone was kicked out of SYA France this year for drugs. They deal with problems quickly on these programs.
I know kids who went to UWC, to Rotary and several other programs. SYA is the most loved. | |
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02-03-2007, 09:44 PM
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#66 | | Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 475
| Many of the parents-there were 63 kids last year -did not mind as their kids are very bright partiers. But this can vary a little year to year. | |
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02-03-2007, 09:47 PM
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#67 | | Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 475
| Spain,and Europe, are very liberal re: alcohol,drugs-even tho penalties are stiff-and sex. Lots of bright,creative,independent type kids of all orientations. | |
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02-03-2007, 09:49 PM
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#68 | | Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 475
| If your child goes to Spain or France,prepare about three months in advance to travel to the consulate office with lots of docs,even grade reports,to get the student visa. | |
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02-03-2007, 09:51 PM
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#69 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Enjoying the mountains and sunshine in Colorado
Posts: 3,187
| Garrity -- have you studied abroad? | |
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02-03-2007, 09:53 PM
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#70 | | Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 475
| Yes,on three different occasions a long time ago while in college. | |
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02-03-2007, 10:02 PM
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#71 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Enjoying the mountains and sunshine in Colorado
Posts: 3,187
| my info seems to come from sources similiar to yours -- talking with others who have been on study abroad programs (both SYA and others). While there are occasional people who choose to take a drink, no one I talked to said that drinking or drugs occurred on any regular basis, most kids were not into partying, the programs did not approve of any drugs or alcohol.
Personally -- my son went on a study abroad program last summer, most of the kids were older than he was and are now college freshman. Not a single student drank or took drugs -- nor were they interested in that type of behavior. They did discuss the issue in their orientation and the kids' generally felt that the possible consequences were not worth the risk.
so -- your information comes from stories you have heard from a student that participated in the SYA program in Spain last year? | |
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02-03-2007, 10:06 PM
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#72 | | Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 475
| Your info may be correct if your son is open with you-which i'm sure he is-but my info is 100% correct for SYA Spain. SYA China is different and kids can stay for just one semester. | |
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02-03-2007, 10:07 PM
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#73 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Enjoying the mountains and sunshine in Colorado
Posts: 3,187
| I guess my thought is that as long as the drugs and alcohol are available the same as here in the US (as suze said) I won't worry. My son is not interested and is fine without the party scene. My concern would be if that is the only social activity that seems to be going on -- he is interested in the language, culture, academics, etc -- not planning on leaving the country just to party. | |
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02-03-2007, 10:09 PM
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#74 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Enjoying the mountains and sunshine in Colorado
Posts: 3,187
| yes -- he is open with me, very. SYA China is the program he is applying to. | |
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02-03-2007, 10:09 PM
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#75 | | Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 475
| hsmomstef: I think that your SYA info comes from stories. Someone is feeding you a sales pitch maybe or maybe their child keeps info private from the parents. Do you have info on SYA SPAIN? | |
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