Stories from Academic Year in America

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

An Important Message from AYA: Embrace the Ideals of Cultural Exchange

February 1, 2017 AYA Leave a Comment

An Important Message from AYA: Embrace the Ideals of Cultural Exchange

In support of international education and opportunities to make empowered connections through public diplomacy, here is a message from Academic Year in America Executive Director Melanie French: Thirty-five years ago, the Academic Year in America (AYA) program began to provide … [Read more...]

News #weareaya, Academic Year in America, AYA, cultural exchange, Exchange Student, exchange year, high school exchange year, international exchange, why hosting matters

Characteristics of a Great Local Coordinator

January 30, 2017 AYA Leave a Comment

What Makes a Great AYA Local Coordinator? | Academic Year in America (AYA)

For the right individual, becoming a Local Coordinator with an exchange program is a wonderful way to grow a professional network by helping others. It is an opportunity to build meaningful friendships, mentor students and organize intercultural experiences in your community. As … [Read more...]

Local Coordinator Stories community, cultural exchange, international exchange, local coordinator

Former Exchange Student Reflects on AYA Experience—Thirty Years Later!

January 26, 2017 AYA 1 Comment

Former Student Reflects on AYA Exchange—Thirty Years Later! | Academic Year in America (AYA)

As Academic Year in America celebrates 35 years of enriching lives through international high school exchange, we are thrilled to be hearing from so many former students about the wonderful impact our program has had on their lives. Today, we are lucky to share this article by an … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories Academic Year in America, AYA, cultural exchange, Exchange Student, exchange year, michigan, spain, throwback

Halfway Through the Year – YES Student Shares Observations

January 24, 2017 AYA Leave a Comment

Halfway Through the Year – YES Student Shares Observations | Academic Year in America (AYA)

The following blog post was written by Fira, a YES student from Indonesia living with her host family in South Carolina. Fira has a lot to say about how much her Local Coordinator, host family and exchange community mean to her as she reflects on reaching the halfway point in her … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories Academic Year in America, AYA, cultural exchange, exchange students, exchange year, host family, local coordinator, reflection, volunteer

Local Coordinators: Important Advocates for Cultural Exchange

December 12, 2016 AYA 1 Comment

Local Coordinators: Important Advocates for Cultural Exchange | Academic Year in America (AYA)

In today's very complicated, social and political climate, we want to take this opportunity to recognize the work our Local Coordinators are doing to help our international students and local host communities process and understand events and trends impacting us all. These are … [Read more...]

Local Coordinator Stories #weareaya, Academic Year in America, cultural exchange, exchange students, exchange year, local coordinator

Why Hosting Matters: Khaled’s Story

November 30, 2016 AYA Leave a Comment

Why Hosting Matters: Khaled's Story | Academic Year in America

The following article was contributed by Terri, a Local Coordinator from New York reflecting on how overcoming jitters to host an exchange student opens up the opportunity of a lifetime. I suppose you could think of a lot of reasons why you might not host an exchange student. … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories, Host Family Stories Academic Year in America, cultural exchange, egypt, Exchange Student, host family, local coordinator, new york, why hosting matters

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • …
  • 21
  • 22
  • 23
  • 24
  • 25
  • 26
  • Next Page »

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

  • Beyond the School Year: How Host Family & Exchange Student Relationships Last
  • How Hosting Strengthens Schools and Communities
  • Cultural Exchange Happens Around the Dinner Table
  • Why Host Siblings Can Become Family for Life
  • How Host Families Can Support Exchange Students Through Homesickness and Culture Shock

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