While every AYA student is committed to cultural exchange and intercultural learning, some truly go above and beyond—creating a lasting impact on their host family and community that deserves a special shoutout. Leonardo from Brazil is an exceptional example of this commitment and the winner of our Student of the Month award for August 2026!
Currently hosted in Pennsylvania, Leonardo is the perfect embodiment of the AYA spirit, bringing enthusiasm and intercultural curiosity with him wherever he goes. Join us as we learn more about Leonardo’s exchange experience in Pennsylvania and what’s made his journey one to remember.
Read on to learn more about Leonardo’s high school exchange journey in Pennsylvania.
“AYA staff selected Leonardo as Student of the Month for August because he has been an exemplary exchange student and had a very strong start to his exchange year. Many of us specifically cited his open-mindedness, curiosity, and excitement that made him stand out during AYA’s Arrival Orientation and throughout his first month with his host family. He showed a willingness to explore independently, collaborate with his host family, and participate actively in school and activities from the moment he first arrived in the United States. He has joined his school’s cross-country team, engaged in adventurous day trips with his host family, and immersed himself in American culture. We cannot wait to see what great accomplishments he can achieve with his can-do attitude through the rest of his exchange year!”
Did you know you can host an exchange student like Leonardo?
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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