In 2010 Candice, an exchange student from China came to Alabama to spend an academic year in America with the Morrison family. The Morrison’s decided to host with AYA to give their family and son a cultural experience, broaden their knowledge of the world and support international exchange.
Candice spent a year with the Morrison family attending the local high school and experiencing the American culture. Candice enjoyed as many activities as any typical American high school student. She went to Prom, Homecoming, Disney World, carved pumpkins, and went Easter egg hunting. These new experiences left Candice full of positive memories and fed her passion even more to come back to study as a college student in Alabama.
Five years later, Candice is now studying at The University of Alabama (UA). “I have always been adventurous and decided to study abroad because I wanted to explore how other people lived,” said Candice. Currently studying a dual degree in advertising and marketing at U.A, she’s also found time to get involved on campus as a member of the Capstone Agency and AdTeam, student-run organizations that work with clients to create promotional campaigns. “Candice is creative and analytical, and that’s a great combination,” said Henley, Instructor of Advertising and Public Relations.
Like Candice, AYA students are academic achievers, English speakers and come highly recommended to our program by their teachers. AYA also affords the opportunity for our students to live with American host families across the nation who are actively involved with their communities, and willing to open their hearts and homes to exchange students. For Candice the Morrison family provided that nurturing environment and opportunity to learn more about American culture by making her a daughter of their own.
The impact of cultural exchange runs deep and for many students and families across the U.S. it changes their lives forever. For Candice it gave her chance to come back and study a college degree, reunite with her American family and create a bright future ahead.
Read Candice’s full article, “Find Your Passion: Home (Far) Away From Home” by UA, here.
Do you want to be a part of something bigger and join the AYA family? AYA’s deadline for accepting students is ending soon! Meet AYA’s incoming class of students and start your host family application today!
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