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

May 23, 2025 AYA Leave a Comment

The Bell family AYA host family runner 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 … [Read more...]

Host Families Academic Year in America, Exchange Student, host family, host family of the year

Can Families with Older Children Host an Exchange Student? 

May 23, 2025 AYA Leave a Comment

Host family with older children

Families all over the United States can benefit from welcoming a high school exchange student into their home. It’s a great opportunity for host parents and children to build a connection with someone from across the world, all while they learn about a new culture and positively … [Read more...]

Host Families Academic Year in America, cultural exchange, exchange students, host family, older children

Meet the 2024-25 Host Family of the Year: The Edwards Family in Kentucky

May 13, 2025 AYA Leave a Comment

AYA’s 2024-2025 Host Family of the Year with exchange student in Kentucky

The Edwards Family in Kentucky with their exchange student Amira AYA is thrilled to announce our 2024-25 Host Family of the Year: the Edwards family in Kentucky! Since beginning their hosting journey with AYA in 2022, the Edwards family has been committed to creating a … [Read more...]

Host Families Academic Year in America, cultural exchange, exchange students, host family, host family of the year, malaysia

Meet a Host Family: Julie in Kansas

April 30, 2025 AYA Leave a Comment

AYA host mom Julie in Kansas

Welcoming an international exchange student into your home is a life-changing experience for both the student and the entire host family. Julie from small-town Rossville, Kansas, knows this firsthand. Over the past 12 years, her family has opened their hearts and home to seven … [Read more...]

Host Families Academic Year in America, cultural exchange, host family, interview, kansas, rural

Meet a Host Family: Allen in Kansas

April 29, 2025 AYA Leave a Comment

Host Family in Kansas Allen

For Allen and his family in rural Kansas, hosting a high school exchange student through Academic Year in America (AYA) wasn’t just a one-year experience — it sparked a lifelong connection! In 2014, he and his family hosted Vanessa from Germany, and what began as a cultural … [Read more...]

Host Families Academic Year in America, cultural exchange, host family, interview, kansas, rural

Meet a Host Family: Chris & Shelby in Kansas

April 28, 2025 AYA Leave a Comment

Host parents in Kansas, Chris and Shelby

When Shelby and Chris in small-town Kansas decided to host an international exchange student through Academic Year in America (AYA), they weren’t sure exactly what to expect. But what they found was a rewarding experience that brought new traditions, deeper cultural … [Read more...]

Host Families exchange students, exchange year, host family, interview, kansas, rural

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About AYA

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AYA is sponsored by the American Institute For Foreign Study (AIFS) Foundation, a not-for-profit organization founded in 1967. Its mission is to promote worldwide understanding through cultural exchange. Learn more >

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Recent Posts

  • Student of the Month: Mathilda from Germany, Hosted in Florida
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  • Student of the Month: Thore from Germany, Hosted in Arkansas
  • AYA Students in Action: The Results of the Global Youth Trailblazer Grants
  • AYA Exchange Student from Mali Chosen as Prestigious Student Speaker

LC of the month

Local Coordinator volunteer academic year in america AYA cultural exchange high school exchange year

We love to recognize our field staff every month by asking … [Read More...]

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