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AYA Exchange Student from Mali Chosen as Prestigious Student Speaker

May 27, 2025 AYA Leave a Comment

YES Student Mohamed Student Speaker with Host family

Every year, Academic Year in America (AYA) student support staff nominate some of our YES Program exchange students to speak at their End of Stay orientation in Washington, D.C., before everyone departs for their home countries. This year, AYA is excited to announce that Mohamed, … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories Academic Year in America, cultural exchange, exchange year, south carolina, YES Program, YES student

Four Exceptional Host Families: AYA’s 2024-2025 Host Family of the Year Runners-Up 

May 23, 2025 AYA Leave a Comment

The Bell family AYA host family runner up

AYA recently announced the 2024-2025 Host Family of the Year—the Edwards family of Kentucky—but they weren’t the only host family considered! Due to the high number of kind and welcoming host families that open their hearts and homes to exchange students each year through the AYA … [Read more...]

Host Family Stories Academic Year in America, Exchange Student, host family, host family of the year

Can Families with Older Children Host an Exchange Student? 

May 23, 2025 AYA Leave a Comment

Host family with older children

Families all over the United States can benefit from welcoming a high school exchange student into their home. It’s a great opportunity for host parents and children to build a connection with someone from across the world, all while they learn about a new culture and positively … [Read more...]

FAQs Academic Year in America, cultural exchange, exchange students, host family, older children

Can I Host an Exchange Student for a Semester? 

May 23, 2025 AYA Leave a Comment

AYA exchange students flags

Hosting a high school exchange student is an experience that will stay with your family and your exchange student for a lifetime. It’s an opportunity for you to take part in a meaningful cultural exchange program to expand your global horizons while making a positive impact on a … [Read more...]

FAQs Academic Year in America, cultural exchange, exchange students, FAQ, host family, semester

Do I Have to Have Children to Host an Exchange Student?

May 22, 2025 AYA Leave a Comment

Host parent no children with host son

When we talk about hosting exchange students, we often use the term “host family,” which can be misleading for single people and couples who don’t have children. The great thing about hosting a high school exchange student is that you create a family from the moment that young … [Read more...]

FAQs Academic Year in America, Exchange Student, FAQ, host family

Can Families with Young Children Host an Exchange Student?

May 21, 2025 AYA Leave a Comment

Host family with young children

Families all over the United States can benefit from welcoming a high school exchange student into their home. It’s a great opportunity for host parents and children to build a connection with someone from across the world, all while they learn about a new culture and positively … [Read more...]

FAQs Academic Year in America, cultural exchange, Exchange Student, FAQ, host family, young children

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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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Recent Posts

  • Student of the Month: Estefania from Germany Hosted in Florida
  • Student Spotlight: Niklas from Austria Hosted in Georgia
  • Student Spotlight: Maya from Germany Hosted in Tennessee
  • Student Spotlight: Ilina from North Macedonia Hosted in Texas
  • High Schools That Make a Difference: Announcing the 2025 – 2026 Tony Cook Memorial Grant Recipients 

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