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Reflections on an Exchange Year with the Scholla Family in New York

August 29, 2019 AYA Blog 1 Comment

Reflections on an Exchange Year with the Scholla Family

As Academic Year in America (AYA) international exchange students are arriving and getting settled with their eager host families around the country, it’s a great time to share a reflection from Chevron, an AYA student from Suriname on the YES Program who spent a year living in … [Read more...]

Host Families, Students Academic Year in America, cultural exchange, host family, new york, YES Program

A Stellar Year with the Stankiewicz Family: AYA Exchange Students Khaled and Batoor Share

August 8, 2019 AYA Blog Leave a Comment

For Academic Year in America (AYA) exchange students Khaled from Saudi Arabia and Batoor from Pakistan, spending a year in New York with the Stankiewicz family was the best experience they could have asked for when they signed up for an exchange year. This wonderful family … [Read more...]

Host Families, Students Academic Year in America, AYA families, cultural exchange, double-hosting, exchange students

French AYA Exchange Student Arthur Has a Fantastic Year with the D’Arcy Family

July 19, 2019 AYA Blog Leave a Comment

Before Arthur Sivade, an Academic Year in America (AYA) high school exchange student from France, arrived in the U.S., he didn’t know quite what to expect of his new life in an unfamiliar country. Immediately upon meeting his host family at the airport, however, his anxieties … [Read more...]

Host Families, Students AYA families, cultural exchange, host family

Host Families Share the Benefits of Double-Hosting AYA Exchange Students!

July 18, 2019 AYA Blog Leave a Comment

Host Families Share the Benefits of Double-Hosting AYA Exchange Students!

Hosting an international exchange student with Academic Year in America (AYA) is a rewarding experience that promotes cultural exchange and lifelong friendships. When you host an international high school student with AYA, you can select a student that you feel will best match … [Read more...]

Host Families AYA, cultural exchange, double-hosting, exchange students, host families

Inspired by Strength: Exchange Student Writes Mother’s Day Tribute to Kansas Host Mom

May 10, 2019 AYA 1 Comment

Hiede from the Philippines and Her Host Mom from Kansas Pose in Sunflower Field | Academic Year in America (AYA)

For Mother’s Day, Hiede from Philippines shares why she loves her host mom. In honor of Mother’s Day, many Academic Year in America (AYA) exchange students shared what they love most about their host mothers. Unsurprisingly, their host moms all sound like selfless, inspiring, … [Read more...]

Host Families, News, Students Academic Year in America, cultural exchange, exchange students, holidays, host family, host mom, mother's day

How a German Teen and a Kansas Resident Became International Sisters

May 2, 2019 AYA 1 Comment

Jess from Germany Poses with Host Sister in Kansas | Academic Year in America (AYA)

Hosting an exchange student can have a major impact on American children – in the best way. When your family hosts an exchange student with Academic Year in America (AYA), your children gain an international sister or brother whom they can rely on, learn from, and grow with. In … [Read more...]

Host Families, Students, Uncategorized cultural exchange, exchange students, host families, hosting an exchange student, international siblings, why host, why hosting matters

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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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Recent Posts

  • Student of the Month: Lotta from Germany, Hosted in Arkansas
  • Student of the Month: Telmo from Spain, Hosted in Indiana
  • Student of the Month: Mathilda from Germany, Hosted in Florida
  • Student of the Month: Maya from Germany, Hosted in Tennessee
  • Student of the Month: Thore from Germany, Hosted in Arkansas

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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