Host Family Stories

Host Family of the Month: The Whittaker Family from Ohio!

May 1, 2016 AYA Leave a Comment

Congratulations to the Whittaker family from Ohio for being our Host Family of the Month (April)! The Whittakers have been an amazing support for their Germany exchange daughter. They spend quality family time together laughing and hanging out. They recently enjoyed prom … [Read more...]

The Gay Family: Our Host Family of the Month

March 31, 2016 AYA Leave a Comment

Congratulations to the Gay family of Rice Lake, WI!! Their German exchange student says she laughs with them all the time and she feels incredibly cared for and supported with the family. They enjoy doing activities together like baking and playing games and spending time as a … [Read more...]

AYA Behind The Scenes: Meet The Staff!

March 3, 2016 AYA Leave a Comment

Get to know AYA behind the scenes! Over the next few months we will be "speed dating" our staff at the national office in Stamford, CT. In addition to supporting you and your students during your cultural exchange experience, they are striving each day to bring the world together … [Read more...]

AYA Student Gives Back to Her Community!

February 26, 2016 AYA Leave a Comment

Zainab is an AYA exchange student from Pakistan through our partnership with the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study Program (YES). She is an eager, helpful and compassionate student that lives in Ohio with her host family, the Schneiders and their two children. She recently … [Read more...]

Hosting Q&A with Melanie our AYA Director

January 22, 2016 AYA Leave a Comment

Recently, we caught up with Melanie, the Director of Academic Year in America (AYA) as her exchange student Marvin from 6 years ago was visiting her and her family in Connecticut! She even brought him to our national office to meet the AYA team! We all enjoyed meeting Marvin and … [Read more...]

Can I Host For A Semester?

January 7, 2016 AYA Leave a Comment

It’s a new year and it’s a fresh new start for our January semester students who have just arrived in the U.S. and are enjoying orientation in New York City this week! During orientation our Local Coordinators volunteer alongside with our AYA national staff to prepare and equip … [Read more...]