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We’re Not in Kansas Anymore: AYA Students Go to Chicago

December 7, 2016 AYA Leave a Comment

We're Not in Kansas Anymore: When AYA Students Venture to Chicago | Academic Year in America (AYA)

The holiday season is a time for tradition in the United States, so it makes perfect sense that Local Coordinator Kelly B. in Kansas would continue hers. Each year, Kelly takes AYA exchange students to Chicago, Illinois. Sweta, a YES student from India living with her host family … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories Academic Year in America, chicago, Exchange Student, exchange students, exchange year, illinois, india, kansas, local coordinator, willis tower

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

I am Muslim: An Inspired Voice in America

November 17, 2016 AYA 2 Comments

aya local coordinator with exchange student in ohio

AYA host mom and Local Coordinator Regenia S. wrote the following about what it was like to experience the recent election with Meriem, her exchange student from Morocco. Her story is a special one, and it speaks to the very heart and essence of the AYA program. On the day … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories Academic Year in America, AYA, Exchange Student, exchange year, FLEX, IEW2016, international education week 2016, YES

#ThrowbackThursday: Local Coordinator and AYA Student Reunite Decades Later!

October 27, 2016 AYA Leave a Comment

Local Coordinator and AYA Student Reunite Decades Later! | Academic Year in America

For all that they do for students, host families and communities across the country, it isn't unusual for our exchange students to form lasting bonds with their Local Coordinators. However, the following update from Colleen Robinson, an LC from Louisiana, is pretty special. … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories, Local Coordinator Stories #tbt, Academic Year in America, cultural exchange, Exchange Student, exchange year, local coordinator

Lessons and Advice from a Father Ten Times Over

October 19, 2016 AYA 1 Comment

Lessons and Advice from a Father Ten Times Over | Academic Year in America (AYA)

The following was contributed by John R., an Academic Year in America (AYA) host father who has been hosting international exchange students for eight years and counting.  In life sometimes there are those special people that will help us learn and make us better. I … [Read more...]

Host Family Stories #dadsanddaughters, Academic Year in America, AYA, department of state, Exchange Student, exchange year, host family, host father, j-1 visa, why hosting matters

Share Your Father/Daughter Stories for an Important Cause

October 14, 2016 AYA Leave a Comment

Share Your Father/Daughter Stories for an Important Cause | Academic Year in America (AYA)

The State Department wants you to help improve the global conversation about dads, daughters, and gender equality! If you have a great father-daughter or host father-host daughter relationship, here's how you can get involved: Submit a story (250-500 words) or photos paired with … [Read more...]

Host Family Stories Academic Year in America, cultural exchange, department of state, Exchange Student, exchange year, host daughter, host father, j-1 visa

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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

  • From Belgium to Belleville: AYA Student Meets Governor JB Pritzker
  • Student of the Month: Elisa from Italy, Hosted in Arkansas
  • Student of the Month: Leonardo from Brazil, Hosted in Pennsylvania
  • When Hosting Does Not Go According to Plan—and Still Changes a Life
  • Helping an Exchange Student Pursue Their Passions

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