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AYA Staff Member Observes Ramadan in Solidarity with Muslim Exchange Students

June 3, 2024 AYA 1 Comment

Ashleigh Caws with KL-YES Program students

Ashleigh Caws, AYA Director of Operations & Special Programs, with YES Program Students Each year, many high school exchange students across the United States observe the Muslim holiday of Ramadan. To gain a greater appreciation and understanding of what an AYA exchange … [Read more...]

Uncategorized FLEX Program, ramadan, staff, YES Program

Meet the 2022-23 Host Family of the Year

June 22, 2023 AYA Leave a Comment

AYA Host Family of the Year 2022-23

Our favorite annual tradition is here – announcing Host Family of the Year! Each and every year, AYA students and Local Coordinators across the United States submit meaningful, heartwarming nomination letters about their beloved host families. As always, we were moved by the … [Read more...]

Uncategorized FLEX Program, host family, host family of the year, Indonesia, kansas, Kyrgyzstan, new york, ukraine, YES Program

American High Schools Promote Cultural Exchange, Win Tony Cook Memorial Grants

May 31, 2019 AYA Leave a Comment

Cumberland High School in Wisconsin Wins 2019 Tony Cook Grant | Academic Year in America (AYA)

10 Outstanding Schools Make Strides Towards Global Understanding We at Academic Year in America (AYA) are excited to announce that we – along with the American Institute For Foreign Study Foundation – have awarded 10 American high schools with 2019 Tony Cook Memorial … [Read more...]

News, Uncategorized Academic Year in America, american high schools, exchange students, exchange year, florida, high school exchange year, illinois, international high school students, north carolina, ohio, wisconsin, wyoming

Mother’s Day 2019: Exchange Students Give Thanks to Their American Host Mothers

May 10, 2019 AYA Leave a Comment

Mother’s Day 2019: Exchange Students Give Thanks to Their American Host Mothers | Academic Year in America (AYA)

Exchange students from Pakistan, Germany, Ukraine and Turkey share sweet tributes to their host mothers for Mother’s Day. This Mother’s Day, we at Academic Year in America (AYA) would like to give a special thank you to all AYA host mothers. By opening your heart and home to … [Read more...]

Host Families, News, Students, Uncategorized Academic Year in America, exchange students, holiday, holidays, host family, host mom, host mother's day, mother's day

How a German Teen and a Kansas Resident Became International Sisters

May 2, 2019 AYA 1 Comment

Jess from Germany Poses with Host Sister in Kansas | Academic Year in America (AYA)

Hosting an exchange student can have a major impact on American children – in the best way. When your family hosts an exchange student with Academic Year in America (AYA), your children gain an international sister or brother whom they can rely on, learn from, and grow with. In … [Read more...]

Host Families, Students, Uncategorized cultural exchange, exchange students, host families, hosting an exchange student, international siblings, why host, why hosting matters

Exchange Student from Tunisia Launches Club, Increases Cultural Awareness in Ohio

April 26, 2019 AYA Leave a Comment

Emna Leads Discussion During International Club Meeting in Ohio | Academic Year in America

Emna from Tunisia creates International Club at her American high school While studying in the United States, Academic Year in America (AYA) exchange students show their communities the world in a new light. Emna, an AYA and Youth Exchange and Study (YES) student from Tunisia, … [Read more...]

News, Students, Uncategorized, Volunteers Academic Year in America, cultural exchange, cultural exchange programs, exchange students, international education, international exchange, international high school students, ohio, tunisia

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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

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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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