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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

Can Retirees Host Exchange Students?

April 23, 2025 AYA Leave a Comment

exchange student from brazil in graduation cap and gown with host family in kentucky

Hosting a high school exchange student is a unique opportunity to welcome a young person from another country into your home, allowing you to share your culture and build a meaningful relationship. Due to the bonds formed during this experience, host parents often consider their … [Read more...]

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

How Long Can I Host a High School Exchange Student?

April 21, 2025 AYA Leave a Comment

host family greeting aya exchange student at the airport with welcome signs

Hosting an exchange student is an experience like no other. It’s a win-win-win situation: you gain a new “son” or “daughter” and can expand your global perspective, the exchange student can come and live in America and learn about our culture, and your community becomes all the … [Read more...]

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

Reflections from a Repeat Host Mom

November 1, 2019 AYA Blog Leave a Comment

Four-time host mom Amy reflects on the life-changing experience of hosting an international exchange student.

The following is a beautiful submission from AYA host mom Amy from Maine. Amy is currently hosting her fourth exchange student! When Amy first submitted her host family application, she did not know where the journey would take her family. Hosting exchange students for multiple … [Read more...]

Host Family Stories Academic Year in America, German exchange students, High school exchange, host family, host mom

Julia from Germany Shows Her Love for the Litzburg Family!

September 23, 2019 AYA Blog Leave a Comment

Julia from Germany Shows Her Love for the Litzburg Family!

Her exchange year may have ended, but Julia, an Academic Year in America high school exchange student from Germany, will cherish her memories of her year abroad for years to come, thanks in large part to the Litzburg family. This caring bunch showed their love and encouragement … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories, Host Family Stories Academic Year in America, high school exchange in New York, host family, host sibling, student stories

From Warsaw to Western New York: Jakub’s Wonderful Year with the Wiech Family

September 4, 2019 AYA Blog Leave a Comment

From Warsaw to Western New York: Jakub’s Wonderful Year with the Wiech Family

When Jakub, a Polish high school student who decided to participate in an exchange year abroad with Academic Year in America (AYA) though the FLEX Program,  first learned that he would be living with the Wiech family in a small village in western New York, he was a little … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories, Host Family Stories Academic Year in America, cultural exchange, high school exchange program, host family, poland

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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

  • When Hosting Does Not Go According to Plan—and Still Changes a Life
  • Helping an Exchange Student Pursue Their Passions
  • Beyond the School Year: How Host Family & Exchange Student Relationships Last
  • How Hosting Strengthens Schools and Communities
  • Cultural Exchange Happens Around the Dinner Table

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