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. Elisa from Italy is an exceptional example of this commitment and the winner of our Student of the Month award for September 2026!
Currently hosted in Arkansas, Elisa is the perfect embodiment of the AYA spirit, bringing enthusiasm and intercultural curiosity with her wherever she goes. Join us as we learn more about Elisa’s exchange experience in Arkansas and what’s made her journey one to remember.
Read on to learn more about Elisa’s high school exchange journey in Arkansas.
“Elisa is an outstanding exchange student who truly embodies AYA’s mission and values through academic achievement, service, responsibility, and meaningful connections with others.
Since arriving in the United States, Elisa has embraced every aspect of her exchange experience, from becoming a caring and patient big sister to her three host siblings to enthusiastically representing AYA at community events. As her host mother shared, Elisa has “shared her culture and lifestyle with such enthusiasm that it has truly enriched our family’s perspective.”
She consistently demonstrates responsibility, optimism, and maturity, always following through on her commitments and maintaining strong academic performance. Elisa is also committed to serving others as she enjoys volunteering her time to coach her host brother’s pee-wee basketball team.
Whether helping at home, supporting young athletes, or fostering cross-cultural understanding, Elisa approaches every opportunity with a genuine desire to make a positive impact. All these factors make Elisa an exceptional representative of Academic Year in America and a highly deserving Student of the Month.”
Did you know you can host an exchange student like Elisa?
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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