Each month at AYA, we take time to recognize some of the truly exceptional exchange students from our program. This month, we’re happy to name Milana from Turkmenistan as the Student of the Month for April 2026!
Read on to learn more about Milana’s high school exchange journey in Texas.
“Since the day [Milana] arrived, she hasn’t just been a guest in our town; she’s become a huge part of the community. She has this incredible drive that you don’t see every day. Instead of waiting for things to happen, she went out and found every club possible, joining 4-H, Key Club, and Student Council…
Milana is the first person to jump in whenever help is needed. She has worked in the church kitchen, helped out with a youth fundraiser, and even helped with our 4-H chickens, all with a smile on her face. She doesn’t just show up; she brings a genuine energy to everything she does. Through her daily life, she’s been a bridge between her home culture and ours, showing everyone what it really means to be a global citizen.
In our family, she has stepped into the role of the oldest of seven siblings! That’s a lot for anyone to take on, but Milana has handled it with so much grace. She is the definition of a ‘glass half full’ person. Even when things have been tough or she’s faced the natural challenges of being in a new country, she stays positive. She truly sees the good in everyone she meets and talks about people with such kindness.
Milana really embodies the core values of the AYA program. She’s adventurous, hard-working, and resilient. She wants to try everything and experience it all. If every exchange student had her heart and her outlook on life, every family in America would be lining up to host. She’s made a real impact here, and she deserves to be recognized for the person she is and everything she’s achieved.” — Leslie, Milana’s Host Mother
Did you know you can host an exchange student like Milana?
Host families from across the United States come in all shapes and sizes. Whether you’d like to host for a full school year, a semester, or just for a few weeks as Welcome Family, you can make an impact on an exchange student’s life by hosting!
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