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J-1 vs F-1 High School Exchange Programs: What’s the Difference?

February 11, 2026 AYA Leave a Comment

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AYA exchange students International high school students who want to come to the U.S. to live with a host family have two main options: the J-1 and F-1 visa programs. Both visa programs serve as gateways to high school exchange, providing opportunities for … [Read more...]

FAQs exchange program, f-1, f-1 visa, FAQ, high school exchange program, j-1, j-1 visa

Reflecting and Goal-Setting: AYA Students at Mid-Year Orientation

January 25, 2018 AYA Leave a Comment

Reflecting and Goal-Setting: AYA Students at Mid-Year Orientation | Academic Year in America (AYA) | Host an Exchange Student

Government sponsored students are required to participate in a Mid-Year Orientation and AYA is pleased to be able to offer our students the opportunity to attend a group orientation. The AYA Mid-Year Orientation provides invaluable cultural education and student support during … [Read more...]

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Giving Thanks for Exchange

November 22, 2017 AYA Leave a Comment

Giving Thanks for Exchange | Academic Year in America | Exchange Students and Host Families Show Gratitude for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a time to think about all of the blessings in our lives. The exchange year experience often brings about many new and exciting experiences that both students and host families feel thankful for. Please enjoy these three reflections from members of the AYA … [Read more...]

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Cultural Exchange: When Red and Blue Make Purple

November 13, 2017 AYA Leave a Comment

Cultural Assimilation: When Red and Blue Make Purple | Academic Year in America | High School Foreign Exchange Program

For International Education Week, Ecem from Turkey — who is hosted in Illinois — reflects on her exchange year experience and how she's been impacted by and grown from cultural exchange this semester. International education and cultural exchange are important to me, because … [Read more...]

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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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