Stories from Academic Year in America

  • Home
  • About the AYA Blog
  • Host Family Stories
  • Exchange Student Stories
  • FAQs
  • Request Info
  • Apply

Host Family of the Year Runner-Up: The Nix Family in Illinois

June 1, 2020 AYA 2 Comments

Exchange student Alisha from Austria with her host family in Illinois | Academic Year in America (AYA)

Alisha from Austria feels like she hit the jackpot with her host family in Illinois, which is why she felt they were the perfect nominees for our Host Family of the Year awards. Named a runner-up, the Nix Family gave her the exchange year experience of a lifetime. Learn more … [Read more...]

Host Family Stories austria, host family, host family of the year, illinois

AYA Host Family of the Year 2018-19 Runner-Up: The Gay Family

July 2, 2019 AYA Leave a Comment

Introducing the Runner-Up for the Academic Year in America (AYA) Host Family of the Year for 2018-19

Laura from Austria with her host family, the Gay Family, in Wisconsin. Every year, Academic Year in America (AYA) shares who the Host Family of the Year awardee is! After AYA international exchange students submit their nominations, we have to choose one incredible family out … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories, Host Family Stories austria, Exchange Student, host family, host family of the year, wisconsin

AYA Reunions: Former Exchange Students Reconnect in Vienna

October 27, 2017 AYA Leave a Comment

AYA Reunions: Former Exchange Students Reconnect in Vienna | Academic Year in America (AYA)

When you host an exchange student, you're helping to bring the world together. Lifelong friendships and relationships are built across cultures and, sometimes, those connections help reunite participants later in life. Recently, two AYA alumni — Sophie from Germany and Larissa … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories Academic Year in America, alumni, austria, AYA, cultural exchange, exchange students, exchange year, germany, vienna

Prom Across America: Exchange Students Reflect on Experience

May 9, 2017 AYA 3 Comments

AYA Prom 2017 | Academic Year in America (AYA)

It's prom season! This high school tradition is a fun time of celebration for students across the country. Attending prom is a very special opportunity for AYA students. It's an exciting time with friends and classmates, but it's also a great cultural experience. Although it's a … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories Academic Year in America, arizona, austria, AYA, brazil, china, exchange students, exchange year, germany, india, iowa, italy, kansas, malaysia, morocco, north carolina, norway, ohio, oklahoma, pakistan, pennsylvania, prom, reflection, sierra leone, spain, switzerland, ukraine, wisconsin

About AYA

AYA logo

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 >

Search

Follow us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • TikTok
  • YouTube

Categories

  • Exchange Student Stories
  • FAQs
  • Host Family Stories
  • Local Coordinator Stories
  • News
  • Volunteerism Stories

Recent Posts

  • Student of the Month: Fateen from Bangladesh, Hosted in Oregon
  • J-1 vs F-1 High School Exchange Programs: What’s the Difference?
  • Student of the Month: Lina from Tunisia, Hosted in Indiana
  • Student of the Month: Lotta from Germany, Hosted in Arkansas
  • Student of the Month: Telmo from Spain, Hosted in Indiana

Follow blog via email

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Copyright © 2026 · Daily Dish Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in