Stories from Academic Year in America

How YES and FLEX Hosts are Changing the Future

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The Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program and the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) Program are unique cultural exchange programs administered by AYA, that work to improve global understanding between the U.S. and other nations.  As the world becomes increasingly … [Read more...]

3 Things You Can Learn About a Different Culture By Hosting an Exchange Student

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The desire to learn about a new culture inspires many American families to participate in cultural exchange by hosting an international high school exchange student with Academic Year in America (AYA). Families of all kinds have a wonderful opportunity to learn about different … [Read more...]

100 Volunteer Hours and Counting!

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AYA student Leonie from Germany has just completed a personal goal that she set for herself for the year: to complete 100 hours of volunteer work! Read on to learn more about her challenge and the lessons she learned along the way. “My name is Leonie and I’m a German exchange … [Read more...]

How Do American Children Benefit from an International Host Sibling?

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Hosting an international high school student has a lasting impact on American families, in particular on the host children, who gain not only a unique first-hand cultural exchange experience, but also a lifelong sibling and friend. There are many ways in which the hosting … [Read more...]