Exchange Student Stories

AYA Appreciates FLEX: Katre’s Story

September 27, 2016 AYA Leave a Comment

Today is FLEX Appreciation Day! Join us in celebrating with current students, alumni, host families, schools, and all of the spectacular individuals behind the scenes who make the program such a success - including those at Academic Year in America (AYA) who work so hard to … [Read more...]

#FlashbackFriday: Exchange Students Share Culture with Boy Scouts

September 23, 2016 AYA Leave a Comment

Lalu, a former AYA student from Indonesia on the YES program, submitted the following story about inviting local Boy Scouts to an International Education event. Lalu and fellow exchange students prepared foods, talked about their native countries and presented topics for … [Read more...]

High School Exchange Students Show School Spirit

September 6, 2016 AYA Leave a Comment

The Academic Year in America high school student exchange program helps international students learn what it's like to be a 'typical' American teenager. Academics and responsibilities are certainly part of that equation, but extracurricular activities and socializing with peers … [Read more...]

Reflections on a Five-Year Adventure with AYA

August 23, 2016 AYA Leave a Comment

Sharing each other's culture and living as family can lead to some pretty great experiences and cherished memories. It is not surprising, but always wonderful to hear when host families and AYA exchange students form lasting bonds. The following contribution is from host mom … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Suggests Extracurriculars for Fun & Friendship

August 18, 2016 AYA Leave a Comment

Natalie pictured practicing for an upcoming softball game. Natalie, an exchange student from Germany placed with a host family in Michigan, enjoyed participating in extracurricular activities during her time in the U.S. She recommends joining a club to other high school … [Read more...]