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Host Family Stories

Reflections from a Repeat Host Mom

November 1, 2019 AYA Blog Leave a Comment

Four-time host mom Amy reflects on the life-changing experience of hosting an international exchange student.

The following is a beautiful submission from AYA host mom Amy from Maine. Amy is currently hosting her fourth exchange student! When Amy first submitted her host family application, she did not know where the journey would take her family. Hosting exchange students for multiple … [Read more...]

Host Family Stories Academic Year in America, German exchange students, High school exchange, host family, host mom

Julia from Germany Shows Her Love for the Litzburg Family!

September 23, 2019 AYA Blog Leave a Comment

Julia from Germany Shows Her Love for the Litzburg Family!

Her exchange year may have ended, but Julia, an Academic Year in America high school exchange student from Germany, will cherish her memories of her year abroad for years to come, thanks in large part to the Litzburg family. This caring bunch showed their love and encouragement … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories, Host Family Stories Academic Year in America, high school exchange in New York, host family, host sibling, student stories

From Warsaw to Western New York: Jakub’s Wonderful Year with the Wiech Family

September 4, 2019 AYA Blog Leave a Comment

From Warsaw to Western New York: Jakub’s Wonderful Year with the Wiech Family

When Jakub, a Polish high school student who decided to participate in an exchange year abroad with Academic Year in America (AYA) though the FLEX Program,  first learned that he would be living with the Wiech family in a small village in western New York, he was a little … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories, Host Family Stories Academic Year in America, cultural exchange, high school exchange program, host family, poland

Reflections on an Exchange Year with the Scholla Family in New York

August 29, 2019 AYA Blog 1 Comment

Reflections on an Exchange Year with the Scholla Family

As Academic Year in America (AYA) international exchange students are arriving and getting settled with their eager host families around the country, it’s a great time to share a reflection from Chevron, an AYA student from Suriname on the YES Program who spent a year living in … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories, Host Family Stories Academic Year in America, cultural exchange, host family, new york, YES Program

A Stellar Year with the Stankiewicz Family: AYA Exchange Students Khaled and Batoor Share

August 8, 2019 AYA Blog Leave a Comment

A Stellar Year with the Stankiewicz Family: AYA Exchange Students Khaled and Batoor Share

For Academic Year in America (AYA) exchange students Khaled from Saudi Arabia and Batoor from Pakistan, spending a year in New York with the Stankiewicz family was the best experience they could have asked for when they signed up for an exchange year. This wonderful family … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories, Host Family Stories Academic Year in America, AYA families, cultural exchange, double-hosting, exchange students

Indonesian AYA Exchange Student Surya Learns About Life in the US with His American Dad!

July 26, 2019 AYA Blog Leave a Comment

Indonesian AYA Exchange Student Surya Learns About Life in the US with His American Dad!

When Surya, an Academic Year in America (AYA) exchange student from Indonesia on the YES program, arrived in New Mexico for his exchange year, his host father took him under his wing, quickly bonding with him and treating him as a true son. His host father certainly has had the … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories, Host Family Stories AYA families, exchange students, host father, student stories

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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
  • Student Spotlight: Niklas from Austria Hosted in Georgia
  • 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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