Each year, Academic Year in America (AYA) exchange students and Local Coordinators across the USA nominate excellent host families for the honor of Host Family of the Year.
We’re always inspired by all of our host families, but especially by our Host Family of the Year nominees. Each one stands out because of their exceptional dedication to cultural exchange, open-mindedness, love, and generosity. They embody the very best of American culture and hospitality.
Although we had many fantastic candidates this year, there can only be one winner. We are very proud to announce that our 2018 Host Family of the Year is the Foster family from Pennsylvania!
Nominated by their foreign exchange student Ruolin, a YES program participant from Malaysia, the Foster family exceeded her expectations.
This is an excerpt from Ruolin’s heartfelt nomination:
“I can talk to them about anything. It is so nice to learn how people from a different background have different perspectives… I will definitely miss all those long conversations we had, when we got to learn how things were like in a country so far away. They also helped me experience American culture by bringing me to basketball games, celebrating Easter and bringing me to Myrtle Beach during spring break.”
By opening their hearts, and by hosting a YES student in particular, the Fosters helped change the future by building a bridge towards global understanding.
At the end of her nomination, Ruolin summarized the impact her host family had on her. She said, “We created sweet memories that I can bring with me forever… They opened up my eyes to a whole new world.”
Congratulations to the Foster family, and to all AYA host families, for bringing the world a bit closer together this year! We applaud outstanding hosts like you for making the world a better, smaller, and more understanding place to live.
You and your family could be next year’s Host Family of the Year! Open a high school international exchange student’s eyes to a whole new world by hosting with AYA.
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