Stories from Academic Year in America

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#ThrowbackThursday: AYA LC and Host Mom Shares Fun “Firsts”

September 29, 2016 AYA Leave a Comment

Hosting a high school exchange student can be a rewarding, meaningful and fun opportunity for American families. For example, Pat E., a Local Coordinator and host mother in Michigan, tells us how much enjoyment her family has had hosting two AYA students that have become like … [Read more...]

Host Family Stories #tbt, Academic Year in America, AYA, Exchange Student, exchange year, high school exchange year, host family, local coordinator

AYA Appreciates FLEX: Katre’s Story

September 27, 2016 AYA Leave a Comment

AYA Appreciates FLEX: Katre's Story | Academic Year in America (AYA)

Today is FLEX Appreciation Day! Join us in celebrating with current students, alumni, host families, schools, and all of the spectacular individuals behind the scenes who make the program such a success - including those at Academic Year in America (AYA) who work so hard to … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories, Host Family Stories Academic Year in America, AYA, Exchange Student, exchange year, FLEX, FLEX student, grants program, host family, why hosting matters

#FlashbackFriday: Exchange Students Share Culture with Boy Scouts

September 23, 2016 AYA Leave a Comment

#FlashbackFriday: Exchange Students Share Culture with Boy Scouts | Academic Year in America (AYA)

Lalu, a former AYA student from Indonesia on the YES program, submitted the following story about inviting local Boy Scouts to an International Education event. Lalu and fellow exchange students prepared foods, talked about their native countries and presented topics for … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories Academic Year in America, AYA, community, Exchange Student, exchange year, High school exchange, high school exchange year, why hosting matters, YES, YES Program, YES student

An Illinois Family Grows Around the World

September 19, 2016 AYA 2 Comments

An Illinois Family Grows around the World | Academic Year in America (AYA)

The following is an amazing submission from host mom Karen S. about her family's experiences hosting exchange students with AYA. Due to fertility issues we have been unable to have children on our own. We decided to adopt a child domestically. While we were waiting to be … [Read more...]

Host Family Stories Academic Year in America, AYA, cultural exchange, Exchange Student, host family, why host, why hosting matters

Celebrating Life’s Little Moments

September 13, 2016 AYA 1 Comment

Celebrating Life's Little Moments | Academic Year in America (AYA)

Terri and Ed in Moscow with Guzel and her sister The following article was contributed by Terri, a Local Coordinator from New York reflecting with great pride on the accomplishments of a beloved host daughter — and her family's joy in sharing life's 'little moments' through … [Read more...]

Host Family Stories, Local Coordinator Stories Academic Year in America, AYA, Exchange Student, exchange students, exchange year, host families, host family, international exchange, local coordinator, moscow, russia, why host, why hosting matters

High School Exchange Students Show School Spirit

September 6, 2016 AYA Leave a Comment

High School Exchange Students Show School Spirit | Academic Year in America (AYA)

The Academic Year in America high school student exchange program helps international students learn what it's like to be a 'typical' American teenager. Academics and responsibilities are certainly part of that equation, but extracurricular activities and socializing with peers … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories Academic Year in America, AYA, back-to-school, community, exchange students, exchange year, extra-curricular, high school exchange year, school pride, school spirit

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About AYA

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AYA is sponsored by the American Institute For Foreign Study (AIFS) Foundation, a not-for-profit organization founded in 1967. Its mission is to promote worldwide understanding through cultural exchange. Learn more >

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Recent Posts

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  • Student of the Month: Lotta from Germany, Hosted in Arkansas
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