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A Reflection on Gratitude and Hosting an Exchange Student

June 3, 2024 AYA Leave a Comment

host family with exchange student

The following post about gratitude and hosting an exchange student was contributed by Melissa Jackson, host mom and former Local Coordinator who now serves as a Field Developer with Academic Year in America (AYA). Gratitude is a powerful emotion that can transform our … [Read more...]

Host Family Stories cultural exchange, host family

Host Families Share What They LOVE About Hosting an Exchange Student

February 13, 2020 AYA 1 Comment

Family hosting an exchange student during the holidays | Academic Year in America (AYA)

In the spirit of Valentine's Day, we asked some of our host families what they LOVE about hosting an exchange student with AYA! Check out these heartwarming responses from host families across the country: Host Mom Kate on Hosting an Exchange Student in Illinois: This … [Read more...]

Host Family Stories cultural exchange, exchange students, host family, valentine's day

What I Love About Being a Local Coordinator with AYA

February 12, 2020 AYA Leave a Comment

AYA Local Coordinator with cluster of exchange students | Academic Year in America

In the spirit of Valentine's Day, we asked our Local Coordinators to share why they love being involved in an international exchange program like AYA! Check out these heartwarming reflections from AYA Local Coordinators across the United States: Hugh, AYA Local Coordinator … [Read more...]

Local Coordinator Stories cultural exchange, local coordinator, valentine's day

From Warsaw to Western New York: Jakub’s Wonderful Year with the Wiech Family

September 4, 2019 AYA Blog Leave a Comment

From Warsaw to Western New York: Jakub’s Wonderful Year with the Wiech Family

When Jakub, a Polish high school student who decided to participate in an exchange year abroad with Academic Year in America (AYA) though the FLEX Program,  first learned that he would be living with the Wiech family in a small village in western New York, he was a little … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories, Host Family Stories Academic Year in America, cultural exchange, high school exchange program, host family, poland

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...]

Exchange Student Stories, Host Family Stories 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

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

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...]

Exchange Student Stories, Host Family Stories Academic Year in America, AYA families, cultural exchange, double-hosting, exchange students

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About AYA

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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.

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Recent Posts

  • Student of the Month: Roman from Ukraine, Hosted in Maine
  • What 45 Years of Cultural Exchange Has Taught Us
  • Student of the Month: Fateen from Bangladesh, Hosted in Oregon
  • J-1 vs F-1 High School Exchange Programs: What’s the Difference?
  • Student of the Month: Lina from Tunisia, Hosted in Indiana

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