Exchange Student Stories

3 Important Ways AYA Participants Advocate for Cultural Exchange in the USA

April 4, 2017 AYA Leave a Comment

Academic Year in America is celebrating 35 years of helping to connect American families and communities with international high school students from around the world. We are proud to be an initiative that supports grassroots opportunities for cultural exchange and … [Read more...]

Students Advance to International Conference

March 31, 2017 AYA Leave a Comment

AYA exchange students are doing great things! Here is a fantastic story out of Missouri, courtesy of Cindy, a Local Coordinator in The Show-Me State. Quiyu Zhao is an AYA exchange student from the Republic of China, known as Agnes to her classmates in Missouri. She is a member … [Read more...]

AYA Student “Owns Her Future” in State Competition

March 20, 2017 AYA 3 Comments

Mariya, an AYA student from Ukraine living in Virginia, recently participated with her King George High School DECA chapter at the State Leadership Conference in Virginia Beach. DECA is a non-profit organization with the mission to prepare emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in … [Read more...]

Get Students Talking: Conversation Starters and Strategies

March 13, 2017 AYA Leave a Comment

How many of you can relate to this scenario? You: Hi! How was your day at school? Student: Fine. You: Did you do anything new? Student: Yeah. You: Like what? Student: I don't know…stuff (tuning out of conversation and in to electronic device). Sound … [Read more...]

Student Volunteers Gain Skills and Help Others

March 6, 2017 AYA Leave a Comment

Margaret E., a Local Coordinator in Arizona, recently organized a volunteer event with several AYA students. The group participated in a community-based activity to benefit Forgasch house, a local shelter for victims of domestic violence providing educational, counseling and … [Read more...]

Esse Quam Videri: My Exchange Year in North Carolina

February 22, 2017 AYA 1 Comment

North Carolina's state motto, Esse quam videri, means "to be, rather than to seem." It suggests the importance of authenticity over insincerity and show. This type of "keeping it real" attitude is right at home in the world of cultural exchange. When people have the chance to … [Read more...]