For those Uppers or Seniors wishing to undertake or continue the study of Mandarin Chinese, there is the possibility of either a fall semester or full-year program. School Year Abroad , founded in 1964, is a program sponsored by Exeter, Andover, and St. Paul's School and is conducted during the school year in Zaragoza, Spain, in Rennes, France and Beijing, China. Its courses are fully accredited by the three schools. The purpose of the program is to provide a year of intensive study of a foreign language and culture for qualified Uppers and Seniors while providing a full academic program. School Year Abroad is open to students from any recognized secondary school, public or private, and admission is competitive.
Students live with host families and participate fully in their lives.
They join athletic and cultural organizations with their French and Spanish counterparts and travel both independently and on school-sponsored trips. The week-long spring vacation trip is a highlight for many. Academically, each student pursues five courses selected from a curriculum especially designed for School Year Abroad students. Standard Upper and Senior mathematics and English courses are taught in English, generally by teachers from the sponsoring schools. Literature, language, history, and art history are taught in French, Spanish or Chinese by carefully selected native instructors.