Stories from Academic Year in America

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Choosing a Host Student Who Becomes Family

July 18, 2017 AYA 1 Comment

Mirko, an exchange student from Italy, visiting "Little Italy" in Cleveland, Ohio

Regenia, a Local Coordinator from Ohio, recently wrote about another incredible connection she's made through hosting international high school students with Academic Year in America. She shares how her family grew to include a son from Italy named Mirko and provides helpful … [Read more...]

Host Families, Local Coordinators, Students Academic Year in America, AYA, AYA in Ohio, choosing a student, cultural exchange, High school exchange, high school exchange students, host families, international families

Out and About with Host Families and Exchange Students

July 12, 2017 AYA Leave a Comment

German exchange student snorkeling with host family in Mexico

Hosting a high school exchange student often inspires us to get out and explore our own community – or take that dream vacation we've been putting off. The following images were contributed by AYA host families and students having fun exploring … [Read more...]

Host Families, Local Coordinators, Students Academic Year in America, cultural exchange, exchange students, host families, international education, travel stories

Goodbyes Are Never Easy But Family Is Forever

June 26, 2017 AYA Leave a Comment

AYA exchange student, Meriem at a bowling alley

Regenia, a Local Coordinator from Ohio, shares this heartfelt message about hosting international students and saying goodbye to her beloved Moroccan daughter Meriem, an AYA exchange student. I will keep this brief. Today is a hard day for our family and for Meriem. Today was … [Read more...]

Host Families, Local Coordinators, Students Academic Year in America, cultural exchange, goodbyes, high school exchange program, international family, local coordinator

Announcing the AYA Host Family of the Year!

June 21, 2017 AYA Leave a Comment

Each year, AYA students and Local Coordinators (LCs) nominate host families across the country for the honor of Host Family of the Year. These families open their hearts and homes to show international high school students the very best of American culture and hospitality. … [Read more...]

Host Families Academic Year in America, AYA, cultural exchange, high school exchange program, host families, host family of the year, international high school students, volunteers

AYA Students Honor Host Fathers and Show Appreciation

June 16, 2017 AYA Leave a Comment

To Host Dads Everywhere, With Love | Academic Year in America

Father's Day is a special time to show our appreciation and celebrate all the fathers, host fathers and father figures out there that work so hard to bring joy to all those around them. In honor of dads everywhere, we’re thrilled to share these stories from AYA students that who … [Read more...]

Host Families, Students Academic Year in America, arizona, AYA, cultural exchange, Exchange Student, exchange year, father's day, FLEX, host family, kazakhstan, new york, north carolina, pakistan, switzerland, YES

AYA Student Athletes Shine

June 12, 2017 AYA Leave a Comment

Exchange students receive sports awards

As Americans, we may take our sports culture for granted, but this is actually a fascinating aspect of life in the U.S. for many visiting students. The games we play, the clubs we form, and the sports we compete in can be pretty different from the norms in other countries. Some … [Read more...]

Local Coordinators, Students Academic Year in America, cultural exchange, exchange students, high school exchange program, high school sports, local coordinator, student awards

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About AYA

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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 >

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LC of the month

Local Coordinator volunteer academic year in america AYA cultural exchange high school exchange year

We love to recognize our field staff every month by asking … [Read More...]

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