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Out and About with Host Families and Exchange Students

July 12, 2017 AYA Leave a Comment

German exchange student snorkeling with host family in Mexico

Hosting a high school exchange student often inspires us to get out and explore our own community – or take that dream vacation we've been putting off. The following images were contributed by AYA host families and students having fun exploring … [Read more...]

Host Families, Local Coordinators, Students Academic Year in America, cultural exchange, exchange students, host families, international education, travel stories

Goodbyes Are Never Easy But Family Is Forever

June 26, 2017 AYA Leave a Comment

AYA exchange student, Meriem at a bowling alley

Regenia, a Local Coordinator from Ohio, shares this heartfelt message about hosting international students and saying goodbye to her beloved Moroccan daughter Meriem, an AYA exchange student. I will keep this brief. Today is a hard day for our family and for Meriem. Today was … [Read more...]

Host Families, Local Coordinators, Students Academic Year in America, cultural exchange, goodbyes, high school exchange program, international family, local coordinator

AYA Students Visit Niagara Falls

June 20, 2017 AYA Leave a Comment

AYA Students Visit Niagara Falls

Visiting state and National Parks is a great way for everyone, exchange students and Americans alike, to explore the enormous beauty and diversity of the United States. New York's Niagara Falls State Park—America's oldest state park—is a phenomenal destination for visitors to … [Read more...]

Local Coordinators, Students Academic Year in America, cultural exchange programs, High school exchange, international exchange students, local coordinators, National Parks, new york, Niagara Falls, ohio, trips and travel

AYA Student Athletes Shine

June 12, 2017 AYA Leave a Comment

Exchange students receive sports awards

As Americans, we may take our sports culture for granted, but this is actually a fascinating aspect of life in the U.S. for many visiting students. The games we play, the clubs we form, and the sports we compete in can be pretty different from the norms in other countries. Some … [Read more...]

Local Coordinators, Students Academic Year in America, cultural exchange, exchange students, high school exchange program, high school sports, local coordinator, student awards

Proud Local Coordinator Highlights Students Accomplishments

May 26, 2017 AYA Leave a Comment

Rossville Dawgs Championship Softball Team

Here's a happy update from Local Coordinator Kelly B. in Kansas: I have more good news about a couple of AYA students with another great accomplishment for the Rossville Dawgs. They are regional champions and on their way to the State Games with the varsity softball … [Read more...]

Local Coordinators, News, Students Academic Year in America, cultural exchange, high school exchange program, high school softball, kansas, softball championships

LC Spotlight: What makes a great Local Coordinator?

May 19, 2017 AYA Leave a Comment

Melissa Jackson is a great Local Coordinator

Kudos to Melissa J. in North Carolina. She came on board as a Local Coordinator with AYA last year and has risen far and beyond any challenge we have given her. She is a strong advocate for cultural exchange — kind, organized and passionate about helping her students and host … [Read more...]

Local Coordinators Academic Year in America, cultural exchange programs, High school exchange, host families, international students, LC Spotlight, local coordinators

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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: Lotta from Germany, Hosted in Arkansas
  • Student of the Month: Telmo from Spain, Hosted in Indiana
  • Student of the Month: Mathilda from Germany, Hosted in Florida
  • Student of the Month: Maya from Germany, Hosted in Tennessee
  • Student of the Month: Thore from Germany, Hosted in Arkansas

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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