Stories from Academic Year in America

  • Home
  • About the AYA Blog
  • Host Family Stories
  • Exchange Student Stories
  • FAQs
  • Request Info
  • Apply

Can Empty Nesters Host an Exchange Student?

April 25, 2025 AYA Leave a Comment

aya and yes program exchange student meets host parents at airport upon arrival

Hosting a high school exchange student is an amazing way to immerse yourself in a new culture while welcoming a young person into your home. For empty nesters eager to make a difference in a foreign young person’s life and gain a new “son” or daughter,” hosting is an unbeatable … [Read more...]

FAQs Academic Year in America, cultural exchange, empty nesters, Exchange Student, host family

Can Young Families Host an Exchange Student? 

April 25, 2025 AYA Leave a Comment

young family with exchange student

Hosting a high school exchange student allows you to bring a young person into your life, welcome them to America and your community, and discover a new cultural perspective. It’s one of those rare experiences that is uniquely infused with profound benefits you can’t get in any … [Read more...]

FAQs Academic Year in America, cultural exchange, Exchange Student, exchange year, host family, young families

Student Spotlight: Sari from Germany Hosted in Wisconsin

April 8, 2025 AYA Leave a Comment

Exchange Student Sari from Germany in Wisconsin

We are incredibly excited to shine a spotlight on one of our outstanding exchange students who has truly embodied the spirit of learning, growth, and cultural exchange. Meet exchange student Sari, who is originally from Germany. Sari has embraced new experiences, made … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories Exchange Student, germany, host family, wisconsin

Student of the Month: Abdul from Pakistan, Hosted in New York

February 7, 2025 AYA Leave a Comment

aya exchange student from pakistan in the new york state

Abdul, an AYA exchange student from Pakistan We are thrilled to shine a spotlight on one of our outstanding exchange students who has truly embodied the spirit of learning, growth, and cultural exchange. Meet Abdul, our esteemed Student of the Month for January 2025! … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories Exchange Student, new york, pakistan, student of the month, YES Program

Student Spotlight: Emilie from Germany Hosted in North Carolina

January 21, 2025 AYA Leave a Comment

aya exchange student from germany at the statue of liberty in new york city, usa

We are so excited to shine a spotlight on one of our outstanding exchange students who has truly embodied the spirit of learning, growth, and cultural exchange. Meet exchange student Emilie, who is originally from Germany. Emilie has truly embraced new experiences, fostered … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories Exchange Student, germany, host family, north carolina

Student Spotlight: Daniel from France Hosted in Pennsylvania

June 5, 2024 AYA Leave a Comment

exchange student with host family in pennsylvania

We are thrilled to shine a spotlight on one of our outstanding students who has truly embodied the spirit of learning, growth, and cultural exchange. Meet exchange student Daniel, who is originally from France. Daniel has truly embraced new experiences, fostered … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories Exchange Student, france, host familiy, pennsylvania

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • …
  • 18
  • Next Page »

About AYA

AYA logo

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.

Search

Follow us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • TikTok
  • YouTube

Categories

  • Exchange Student Stories
  • FAQs
  • Host Family Stories
  • Local Coordinator Stories
  • News
  • Volunteerism Stories

Recent Posts

  • America250 Student Reflections Contest: Experiencing the U.S. Through Exchange Students’ Eyes
  • AYA Host Family of the Year: 2026 Winners & Stories 
  • “They Treat Me Like Their Own”: How the Hoffmans Made Fateen Feel Like Family 
  • What Happens When a Host Family Shows Up: The Story of the Starr Family and Greta 
  • Four Families, Four States, One Unforgettable Exchange Year

Follow blog via email

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Copyright © 2026 · Daily Dish Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in