Celebrating cultural exchange is at the very heart of the AYA program, and each month we like to recognize an exchange student who embodies the spirit of learning, growth, and cultural exchange.
Meet Lina, our esteemed Student of the Month for January 2026! Originally from Tunisia, Lina has made a big impact on her host family and community in Indiana. Join us as we learn more about Lina’s high school exchange journey and what has made this experience so special for her, her host family, and her local host community.
Learn more about why Lina was nominated to be the January 2026 Student of the Month:
“Lina is an outstanding young lady that represents the foundations of AYA and is an exceptional steward for the YES Program! I am nominating her due to her outstanding achievement for being selected to be a participant for the U.S. Department of State’s America250 Civic Education Workshop! This highly competitive program shows that Lina has the makings of someone who will change the world one day. During exchange student week, Lina gave her presentation not just once, but a multitude of times, showing the importance of cultural exchange and sharing her homeland with so many people. Lastly, Lina has also made it a personal goal to complete 100+ volunteer hours (currently completed well over 50+ hours) so that she can continue sharing her culture with neighbors, friends, and the Hoosier state!” — Corey, Lina’s Local Coordinator in Indiana
Did you know you can host an exchange student like Lina?
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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