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YES Student Keeps an Open Mind

June 24, 2016 AYA Leave a Comment

Academic Year in America Exchange Student from Jordan Embraces New Community

Daniel and his LC, Sheri, pose for a snapshot Here's a great example of how an open mind and willingness to explore life outside of your comfort zone can yield wonderful results to overcome culture shock and make real connections with people that seem so different on the … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories Academic Year in America, AYA, community, Exchange Student, exchange year, high school exchange year, host family, local coordinator, why hosting matters, YES, YES Program, YES student

Ambassadors for America: Host an AYA Student

June 23, 2016 AYA Leave a Comment

Academic Year in America Student Shares Memory of School Play in United States

Host families do so much to show students from around the world what America is really like. It means so much to these students to live as part of an American family and go to school and interact with American teenagers. As you'll see in the passage below, Marie, an exchange … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories Academic Year in America, AYA, Exchange Student, exchange year, germany, host family, school play

Celebrating Host Dads this Father’s Day

June 17, 2016 AYA Leave a Comment

Academic Year in America Celebrates Host Father's Day

Thank you to all of the host dads across the country. The opportunity you give AYA students to see what life is like in the U.S. and become a part of an American family is remarkable. Thanks for the warm welcome and fatherly support you provide our international students. Just … [Read more...]

Host Family Stories Academic Year in America, AYA, Exchange Student, exchange year, family, father's day, host dad, host families, host family

AYA Student Praises LC for Commitment & Support

June 13, 2016 AYA Leave a Comment

AYA Student from Albania Gives Kudos to her Local Coordinator

We are very aware of how awesome our Local Coordinators are: the heart, energy, organization and attention to detail they put into making sure AYA students and host families have wonderful, memorable experiences do not go unnoticed. We are extremely grateful for the role LCs play … [Read more...]

Local Coordinator Stories Academic Year in America, AYA, Exchange Student, high school exchange year, kudos, local coordinator

Lifting the Veil: Uncovering and Defying Stereotypes

June 8, 2016 AYA Leave a Comment

Academic Year in America - International Exchange Student - Muslim Faith - Defying Stereotypes

The following article was contributed by Terri, an LC from New York reflecting on her experience hosting Muslim students in rural America. Five years ago, we welcomed our first student who wore a head covering. She was from Pakistan, so she wore more of a scarf than a full … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories, Local Coordinator Stories Academic Year in America, AYA, Exchange Student, exchange year, hijab, international exchange, local coordinator, muslim, why hosting matters

America the Beautiful: Through the Eyes of Cultural Exchange

June 7, 2016 AYA Leave a Comment

Academic Year in America - Host Family and Exchange Student - Ranching and Riding Horses

Diana pictured (front left) with her host family as they prepare to ride. AYA students enjoy the opportunity to see the real America. Sometimes their experiences can seem like a movie, but they are also important to show that the U.S. is too massive and varied to conform … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories Academic Year in America, arkansas, AYA, Exchange Student, exchange year, host family, italy, ranching

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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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  • Student of the Month: Milana from Turkmenistan, Hosted in Texas
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  • 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

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