Stories from Academic Year in America

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Exchange Student from Indonesia Shares “Thankful List” this Holiday Season

December 6, 2018 AYA 1 Comment

Exchange Student from Indonesia Shares “Thankful List” this Holiday Season | Academic Year in America (AYA)

Often, the holiday season is filled with friends, family, and giving thanks. This year, Surya, an Academic Year in America (AYA) and YES Program exchange student from Indonesia, is thankful for many things – big and small. Paying tribute to the many life-changing experiences … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories Academic Year in America, AYA, cultural exchange, exchange students, holiday, Indonesia, why hosting matters, YES Program

From Local Coordinator to International Mother Part Two: A Family Reunion

November 16, 2018 AYA Leave a Comment

From Local Coordinator to International Mother – Part Two: A Family Reunion | Academic Year in America (AYA)

On Thanksgiving week, people across the USA travel near and far to reunite with loved ones. For Academic Year in America (AYA) host mom and Local Coordinator Melissa, though, a family reunion came a bit early this year. After hosting exchange student Sanna from Germany, Melissa … [Read more...]

Host Family Stories AYA, cultural exchange, family, family reunions, germany, high school exchange year, host family, international education, local coordinator, north carolina, why hosting matters

3 Ways Cultural Exchange Programs are Changing the World

November 9, 2018 AYA 1 Comment

3 Ways Cultural Exchange Programs are Changing the World | Academic Year in America (AYA)

As the world becomes smaller as a result of technology, learning about other cultures becomes so much more important. That’s why cultural exchange programs like Academic Year in America (AYA) are essential. How exactly do these programs make an impact, though? There are … [Read more...]

FAQs Academic Year in America, AYA, cultural exchange, cultural exchange programs, exchange students, high school exchange year, host family, international education

7 Simple Ways to Learn About a Different Culture

November 2, 2018 AYA 16 Comments

AYA exchange student and host family

Interested in learning about a different part of the world – but not sure how to do so? Cultural exchange programs like Academic Year in America (AYA) offer a great way to start. With so much to discover, though, even participants of our program may be stumped on the best ways … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories, Host Family Stories Academic Year in America, AYA, cultural exchange, exchange students, exchange year, host family, international education, international exchange, why hosting matters

From Root Beer to Baseball: 3 Surprising “Firsts” for Exchange Students in the USA

October 5, 2018 AYA Leave a Comment

From Root Beer to Baseball: 3 Surprising “Firsts” for Exchange Students in the USA | Academic Year in America (AYA)

Sometimes the (seemingly) simple things in life leave the biggest impressions. For Academic Year in America (AYA) exchange students, life in the United States has been filled with many new things – both big and small. While many of their day-to-day experiences here have been … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories #weareaya, Academic Year in America, AYA, cultural exchange, exchange students, international education, italy, south africa, tunisia, YES Program

My First Month in the USA: Tunisian Student in Ohio Shares 3 Highlights

September 28, 2018 AYA Leave a Comment

My First Month in the USA: Tunisian Exchange Student Shares Top 3 Highlights since Start of School | Academic Year in America (AYA)

Every fall, Academic Year in America welcomes hundreds of international high school students to the United States for an exchange year. One of our incredible students this year, Emna, flew from Tunisia to study in Ohio. Nearly 5,000 miles from home and only a month into … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories Academic Year in America, AYA, cultural exchange, high school exchange program, host family, ohio, tunisia, why hosting matters, YES Program

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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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