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Lessons and Advice from a Father Ten Times Over

October 19, 2016 AYA 1 Comment

Lessons and Advice from a Father Ten Times Over | Academic Year in America (AYA)

The following was contributed by John R., an Academic Year in America (AYA) host father who has been hosting international exchange students for eight years and counting.  In life sometimes there are those special people that will help us learn and make us better. I … [Read more...]

Host Family Stories #dadsanddaughters, Academic Year in America, AYA, department of state, Exchange Student, exchange year, host family, host father, j-1 visa, why hosting matters

Share Your Father/Daughter Stories for an Important Cause

October 14, 2016 AYA Leave a Comment

Share Your Father/Daughter Stories for an Important Cause | Academic Year in America (AYA)

The State Department wants you to help improve the global conversation about dads, daughters, and gender equality! If you have a great father-daughter or host father-host daughter relationship, here's how you can get involved: Submit a story (250-500 words) or photos paired with … [Read more...]

Host Family Stories Academic Year in America, cultural exchange, department of state, Exchange Student, exchange year, host daughter, host father, j-1 visa

Having a Blast as a First-time Host Mom

October 12, 2016 AYA 3 Comments

Having a Blast as a First-time Host Mom | Academic Year in America (AYA)

Host mom Tina R. from Texas reached out recently to share the following about welcoming two AYA students into her family this year. This is my first year hosting an exchange student, so most that know me were surprised when they discovered that I had decided to host two … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories, Host Family Stories Academic Year in America, AYA, exchange students, exchange year, host family, oklahoma state university, texas, why hosting matters

Exchange Students Celebrate Autumn Across America

October 11, 2016 AYA Leave a Comment

Autumn Across America | Academic Year in America (AYA)

Fall fun and holiday celebrations include Thanksgiving and Halloween, birthdays, harvest fairs and more. Many of these events are special "firsts" for AYA students, like the following submission from AYA student Fernanda from Brazil: Trick or Treating for the First … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories Academic Year in America, autumn, AYA, Exchange Student, exchange students, exchange year, fall, Halloween, high school exchange year, holiday, host family, Thanksgiving

#FlashbackFriday: YES Student Shares Poem

October 7, 2016 AYA Leave a Comment

#FlashbackFriday: YES Student Shares Poem

Our YES students are so often full of vision and talent. This is certainly the case of Aasif Bulbulia, a former YES student from South Africa. Aasif shared the following poem about his identity as a South African in the aftermath of Apartheid. I Am South African I am a … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories Academic Year in America, AYA, department of state, Exchange Student, exchange year, poetry, south africa, YES

Best of #WeAreAYA: September Edition

September 29, 2016 AYA Leave a Comment

Best of #WeAreAYA: September Edition | Academic Year in America (AYA)

Month after month we are reminded of the amazing community of students, host families, and Local Coordinators who love to share exchange year experiences on social media! As fall rapidly approaches, we see so many events and holiday memories shared: first days of … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories, Host Family Stories #weareaya, Academic Year in America, AYA, cultural exchange, Exchange Student, exchange year, high school exchange year, instagram

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About AYA

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Academic Year in America (AYA) is sponsored by the AIFS Foundation, a not-for-profit organization founded in 1967. Its mission is to promote worldwide understanding through cultural exchange.

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  • How Hosting an Exchange Student Helps Young People Grow
  • “What’s Next, Regenia?” The Unexpected Legacy of a COVID-Era Exchange Year
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  • How Host Families Help Exchange Students Feel at Home

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