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Meet a Host Family: Julie in Kansas

April 30, 2025 AYA Leave a Comment

AYA host mom Julie in Kansas

Welcoming an international exchange student into your home is a life-changing experience for both the student and the entire host family. Julie from small-town Rossville, Kansas, knows this firsthand. Over the past 12 years, her family has opened their hearts and home to seven … [Read more...]

Host Families Academic Year in America, cultural exchange, host family, interview, kansas, rural

Can I Host an Exchange Student If I Live in a Big City? 

April 29, 2025 Madison Gilmore Leave a Comment

exchange student from romania in times square, new york city

Hosting a high school exchange student is an experience like no other—it allows you and your family to experience the incredible benefits of cultural exchange while impacting a young person's life. You may think that hosting a foreign exchange student requires a big house in the … [Read more...]

FAQs Academic Year in America, big city, cultural exchange, Exchange Student, exchange students

Meet a Host Family: Allen in Kansas

April 29, 2025 AYA Leave a Comment

Host Family in Kansas Allen

For Allen and his family in rural Kansas, hosting a high school exchange student through Academic Year in America (AYA) wasn’t just a one-year experience — it sparked a lifelong connection! In 2014, he and his family hosted Vanessa from Germany, and what began as a cultural … [Read more...]

Host Families Academic Year in America, cultural exchange, host family, interview, kansas, rural

Student Spotlight: Emilia from Poland Hosted in Tennessee

April 25, 2025 AYA Leave a Comment

AYA exchange student Emilia from Poland in Washington

We are so excited to shine a spotlight on one of our outstanding exchange students who has truly embodied the spirit of learning, growth, and cultural exchange. Meet exchange student Emilia, who is originally from Poland. Emilia has truly embraced new experiences, fostered … [Read more...]

Students Academic Year in America, cultural exchange, exchange students, FLEX Program, host family, poland, student spotlight, tennessee

Can Empty Nesters Host an Exchange Student?

April 25, 2025 AYA Leave a Comment

aya and yes program exchange student meets host parents at airport upon arrival

Hosting a high school exchange student is an amazing way to immerse yourself in a new culture while welcoming a young person into your home. For empty nesters eager to make a difference in a foreign young person’s life and gain a new “son” or daughter,” hosting is an unbeatable … [Read more...]

FAQs Academic Year in America, cultural exchange, empty nesters, Exchange Student, host family

Can Young Families Host an Exchange Student? 

April 25, 2025 AYA Leave a Comment

young family with exchange student

Hosting a high school exchange student allows you to bring a young person into your life, welcome them to America and your community, and discover a new cultural perspective. It’s one of those rare experiences that is uniquely infused with profound benefits you can’t get in any … [Read more...]

FAQs Academic Year in America, cultural exchange, Exchange Student, exchange year, host family, young families

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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

  • Student of the Month: Thore from Germany, Hosted in Arkansas
  • AYA Students in Action: The Results of the Global Youth Trailblazer Grants
  • AYA Exchange Student from Mali Chosen as Prestigious Student Speaker
  • Four Exceptional Host Families: AYA’s 2024-2025 Host Family of the Year Runners-Up 
  • Can Families with Older Children Host an Exchange Student? 

LC of the month

Local Coordinator volunteer academic year in america AYA cultural exchange high school exchange year

We love to recognize our field staff every month by asking … [Read More...]

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