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What is FLEX?

April 4, 2018 AYA Leave a Comment

What is FLEX?

The FLEX Program (Future Leaders Exchange) is funded by Congress and administered by the Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The program’s goal is to provide an opportunity for high school students from Europe and Eurasia to experience life in the … [Read more...]

Host Family Stories, News Academic Year in America, cultural exchange, FLEX, FLEX Program, high school exchange program, host families

What is YES?

March 14, 2018 AYA Leave a Comment

AYA YES Program

The Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program provides scholarships for high school students (ages 15-18) from countries with significant Muslim populations to spend up to one academic year in the United States. The Kennedy-Lugar YES Program, sponsored by the U.S. … [Read more...]

Host Family Stories, News Academic Year in America, cultural exchange, exchange students, YES, YES 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

High School Sports Benefit Exchange Student

September 28, 2017 AYA 4 Comments

Korish hanging out with his team

Korish from Pakistan lives with a host family in Corning, New York. He wrote the following about his experiences in sports diplomacy as an international exchange student on a varsity high school team. The best thing is that I just made a varsity soccer team in Corning. I think … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories, News Academic Year in America, cultural exchange, exchange students, high school cultural exchange, high school sports, soccer, sports diplomacy

From Germany to Texas, From Texas to the World

August 1, 2017 AYA Leave a Comment

Carla and friends during homecoming in 2009

Here is a story from Carla in Germany who lived and studied in Texas with Academic Year in America back in 2009. She shares how the experience gave her a new family, a new home and the confidence to see the world. Hi everybody! My name is Carla and my hometown is Willich, in … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories, Host Family Stories, News Academic Year in America, alumni stories, AYA, cultural exchange programs, High school exchange, high school homestay, international exchange students

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...]

Exchange Student Stories, Local Coordinator Stories, News Academic Year in America, cultural exchange, high school exchange program, high school softball, kansas, softball championships

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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
  • Student Spotlight: Ilina from North Macedonia Hosted in Texas
  • High Schools That Make a Difference: Announcing the 2025 – 2026 Tony Cook Memorial Grant Recipients 

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