Four Exceptional Host Families: AYA’s 2024-2025 Host Family of the Year Runners-Up 

AYA recently announced the 2024-2025 Host Family of the Year—the Edwards family of Kentucky—but they weren’t the only host family considered! Due to the high number of kind and welcoming host families that open their hearts and homes to exchange students each year through the AYA program, choosing just one family can be difficult. This year, we wanted to highlight four additional incredible AYA host families that were nominated for this honor thanks to their persistent dedication to their exchange students and the lasting impact they made on their lives. 

Let’s dive into the four runners-up for AYA’s 2024-2025 Host Family of the Year! 

The Bell Family, Pennsylvania 

First up is a host family that hosted two exchange students during one academic year! The Bell family of Pennsylvania hosted Anne and Sueda, both of whom nominated them as Host Family of the Year. 

Anne enjoyed building close connections with each member of the Bell family—her host mom and dad, her host sister, and even her two host brothers, who would visit when they were home from college. Here’s what she said about her experience with the Bells and her relationship with her host mom:  

“I honestly can’t express how grateful I am for everything the Bells have done for me. From the very first day I set foot in their house, my host family has always made me feel included in everything. Amy has become my second mom forever, she’s someone I know I can [speak to about] anything, even if I know she might not like it, or someone who will be as happy for me as if I were her own daughter. She simply treats me like I am one of her own in every way.” 

Sueda noted how the Bells changed her outlook on life:  

“The Bells didn’t just host me, they gave me a second life and a whole new perspective on everything. I love them so much. I truly feel like the luckiest exchange student ever.” 

The Merren Family, Michigan 

Exchange student Arina is visually impaired and had never met legally blind people before joining the Merren family. She describes the impact of meeting the Merrens and how being welcomed into the visually impaired community made her feel less alone and more confident:  

“I always felt like I was different in a bad way—incapable of doing certain things and that no one could ever truly understand me. My host mom and dad are both blind. I can’t even describe how grateful I am for all the support and self-confidence they’ve given me. They showed me that I am unique, but not alone—that I can achieve any of my goals, and that I’m not disabled; I just have special needs. For the first time, I feel understood, accepted, and included.” 

The Durrett Family, Idaho 

Thoughts of adjusting to your new host family can be nerve-wracking for some students. Fortunately, exchange student Elena didn’t have much of an adjustment period, as she explains, the Durretts made her feel like family from the outset:  

“Since the moment I first landed in Idaho, my host family took me in with open arms and open hearts. No adjustment period, no sitting in my room trying to figure out how to be a part of the family, I was already a part of the family. That feeling of belonging [on] day one is one that will last forever.” 

The Restrepo Family, Missouri 

One quality of an exceptional host family is how quickly they make exchange students feel welcome and allay their fears. For Lena, who was hosted by the Restrepo family, she felt like family from that first welcome hug. It was a very emotional experience for her:  

“I still remember the moment at the airport when I met them in real life for the first time. I was a little stressed out and was nervous. But the moment when I gave them a hug for the first time, all the stress was gone [and] all the fears and doubts. I felt at home, I started crying a little because I was just happy.” 

Not only did the Restrepos support her in the home, they showed up to her sporting events to cheer her on:  

“They were the loudest in the crowd at my tennis matches [and] swim & track meets… It didn’t matter if I got first or last. They were proud of what I had accomplished.” 

Interested in making an impact like one of these four families? Host an exchange student with AYA! 

Academic Year in America (AYA) is a non-profit organization that connects enthusiastic international high school students with host parents who are ready to welcome them into their homes. In addition to matching host parents and exchange students, we offer valuable 24/7 support from professionals at our national office and our on-the-ground Local Coordinators, who are ready to assist you throughout your entire hosting experience. 

If you want to be like these outstanding families and host an international exchange student, AYA is here to help!