Stories from Academic Year in America

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

America250 Student Reflections Contest: Experiencing the U.S. Through Exchange Students’ Eyes

May 28, 2026 AYA Leave a Comment

collage of high school exchange student artwork celebrating America250

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...]

Exchange Student Stories, News america250, art, Bangladesh, contest, exchange students, FLEX Program, germany, Indonesia, italy, jordan, kansas, kosovo, minnesota, north dakota, oregon, pennsylvania, south carolina, tennessee, texas, ukraine, YES Program

Meet the Winner of the AYA Halloween Costume Contest!

November 3, 2016 AYA Leave a Comment

Meet the Winner of the AYA Halloween Costume Contest!

Every year, AYA exchange students are immersed in Halloween traditions in the United States: pumpkin carving, corn mazes, trick-or-treating, dressing up in costume and more. This year, we decided to have a Halloween Costume Contest for AYA students and host families across the … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories, Host Family Stories #weareaya, Academic Year in America, AYA, contest, cultural exchange, exchange students, Halloween, high school exchange year, holiday, host family, why hosting matters

About AYA

AYA logo

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.

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: Estefania from Germany Hosted in Florida
  • Student Spotlight: Niklas from Austria Hosted in Georgia
  • Student Spotlight: Maya from Germany Hosted in Tennessee
  • Student Spotlight: Ilina from North Macedonia Hosted in Texas
  • High Schools That Make a Difference: Announcing the 2025 – 2026 Tony Cook Memorial Grant Recipients 

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