This year, as the United States prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary, Academic Year in America (AYA) invited its current exchange students to participate in something special to mark the occasion. In partnership with the U.S. … [Read more...]
AYA Host Family of the Year: 2026 Winners & Stories
As the 2025 – 2026 academic year comes to a close and exchange students prepare to return to their home countries, AYA is excited to announce the 2026 Host Family of the Year winners. The AYA Host Family of the Year … [Read more...]
“They Treat Me Like Their Own”: How the Hoffmans Made Fateen Feel Like Family
The Hoffman family—the 2026 winners of the AYA Host Family of the Year award—is a stellar example of what it means to dedicate yourself to hosting an exchange student with Academic Year in America. Shortly after their high school exchange student Fateen from Bangladesh … [Read more...]
Student of the Month: Fateen from Bangladesh, Hosted in Oregon
Each month at AYA, we like to take some time to recognize some of the truly exceptional exchange students from our program. This month, we’re happy to name Fateen from Bangladesh as the Student of the Month for February 2026! Read on to learn more about Fateen's high school … [Read more...]
Student of the Month: Areeba from Bangladesh, Hosted in Idaho
We are thrilled to shine a spotlight on one of our outstanding exchange students who has truly embodied the spirit of learning, growth, and cultural exchange. Meet Areeba, our esteemed Student of the Month for December 2024! Originally from Bangladesh, this … [Read more...]
#ThrowbackThursday: YES Student Enjoys Busy Year of Opportunities
As current students are wrapping up the year at high school's across the country, let's take a look back about a year ago to a submission from a very special student. Imran from Bangladesh took time out of his busy schedule to write the following essay about his diverse … [Read more...]