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Host Family Stories

AYA Mom Shares Experience Hosting an Exchange Student

October 23, 2017 AYA Leave a Comment

Luisa with her host family

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...]

Host Family Stories Academic Year in America, cultural exchange, german exchange student, High school exchange, host mom, hosting an exchange student, international education

AYA Student Reunites with American Host Family—in Spain!

October 16, 2017 AYA 2 Comments

AYA reunion

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...]

Exchange Student Stories, Host Family Stories AYA, AYA reunion, cultural exchange, family reunions, high school exchange program

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

October 10, 2017 AYA 4 Comments

home sweet home

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...]

Exchange Student Stories, Host Family Stories, News Academic Year in America, cultural exchange, high school exchange in New York, student stories, YES student

AYA Host Family Braves Hurricane Irma

October 2, 2017 AYA Leave a Comment

All of us at the CNN center in Atlanta during Hurricane Irma

Joe, an AYA host dad from Florida, shared the following about what it was like for his family to welcome Juli from Germany and face the challenge of a category 5 hurricane—quite a test of adaptability. Kudos to this family and the many communities coming together in support of … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories, Host Family Stories Academic Year in America, AYA, cultural exchange, high school exchange in Florida, hurricane Irma

AYA Alumni Letters: Natalja from Germany

September 15, 2017 AYA Leave a Comment

AYA Alumni Letters: Natalja from Germany

Several of last year's AYA students took some time to write letters to the upcoming class of high school exchange students, which we will share throughout the summer months. They wrote about their reflections, advice and best wishes to help next year's group get the best start on … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories, Host Family Stories, Local Coordinator Stories Academic Year in America, alumni letters, cultural exchange advice, High school exchange, high school exchange in Minnesota, international students

AYA Alumni Letters: Thom from France

August 25, 2017 AYA Leave a Comment

Thom graduating with his American classmates

Some of last year's AYA students took the time to write letters to the upcoming class of high school exchange students, which we will continue to share as summer break comes to a close and classes begin in high schools across America. Several of our alumni wrote about their … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories, Host Family Stories, Local Coordinator Stories Academic Year in America, alumni letters, cultural exchange, cultural exchange advice, German exchange students, HIGH SCHOOL EXCHANGE IN Washington, high school exchange program, international students

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About AYA

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Academic Year in America (AYA) is sponsored by the AIFS Foundation, a not-for-profit organization founded in 1967. Its mission is to promote worldwide understanding through cultural exchange.

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Recent Posts

  • Student of the Month: Estefania from Germany Hosted in Florida
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  • Student Spotlight: Maya from Germany Hosted in Tennessee
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  • High Schools That Make a Difference: Announcing the 2025 – 2026 Tony Cook Memorial Grant Recipients 

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