Host Family Stories

AYA Families Share Special Moments Across the USA

November 6, 2017 AYA 1 Comment

AYA host families are volunteers, sharing the rich and varied culture of the U.S. with international students from around the world. With the school year just underway, it's a great time to look at some wonderful stories our host families have shared about the special … [Read more...]

AYA Host Dad Reflects on Hosting Exchange Students

October 30, 2017 AYA Leave a Comment

Sometimes life comes at you fast. It's often the things we take a chance on that change our lives the most. Byron and his partner never anticipated hosting an exchange student, but taking a leap of faith and going for it has made an impact on them more than they ever could've … [Read more...]

What It’s Like to Gain an International Sibling

October 24, 2017 AYA Leave a Comment

Helping strangers become international siblings is another way AYA helps families grow around the world! Following up yesterday's story from host mom Denise about hosting an international student from Germany, we are fortunate to share the experience from her daughter's … [Read more...]

AYA Mom Shares Experience Hosting an Exchange Student

October 23, 2017 AYA Leave a Comment

Host mom, Denise, contributed the following story to share with you as a guest blogger, about her experience hosting an international high school student from Germany with AYA—and what hosting exchange students has done to help her family. Tomorrow, we'll share a similar account … [Read more...]

AYA Student Reunites with American Host Family—in Spain!

October 16, 2017 AYA 2 Comments

Sharmalene, a former AYA student, shared a couple of great photos along with this heartwarming update following a reunion with her American host family this past summer, in her home country of Spain. “When I left the USA, I was incredibly sad to leave my host family and … [Read more...]

Life as a High School Exchange Student in the U.S.

October 10, 2017 AYA 4 Comments

Here is a great piece from an AYA exchange student from Pakistan now living with his host family in New York. Korish shares his expectations and the reality he experienced when he came to the U.S. as a high school exchange student. He wanted to share his experience as a thank you … [Read more...]