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Exchange Student Pledges to Inspire Change

February 10, 2017 AYA 7 Comments

Cultural Exchange at Its Peak | Academic Year in America (AYA)

Nayab is a YES student from Pakistan. She took the time to write the following reflection piece on cultural exchange after attending a mid-year orientation trip to California with a large group of AYA students. Please enjoy Nayab's thoughtful and very moving account of the … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories #weareaya, Academic Year in America, AYA, Exchange Student, exchange students, FLEX, grants program, pakistan, why hosting matters, YES Program, YES student

Grant Students Share Special Experience in California

February 8, 2017 AYA Leave a Comment

Grant Students Share Special Experience in California | Academic Year in America

As a placing organization for the U.S. Department of State’s YES and FLEX programs, AYA is lucky enough to work with amazing students who have earned merit-based scholarships for international exchange. For decades, these programs have been successfully building bridges and … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories #weareaya, Academic Year in America, AYA, cultural exchange, department of state, exchange students, exchange year, FLEX, grants program, YES, YES Program

International Group Compares Area Doughnuts

February 6, 2017 AYA Leave a Comment

International Group Compares Area Doughnuts | Academic Year in America

Louise H. is a Local Coordinator with Academic Year in America in the Virginia and Maryland area. She recently took a group of exchange students and their host families to participate in an interesting cultural experience, the International Doughnut Research Academy. The group … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories Academic Year in America, AYA, cultural exchange, exchange students, exchange year, food, maryland, virginia

A New Semester in Full Swing

February 1, 2017 AYA Leave a Comment

A New Semester in Full Swing | Academic Year in America

It's that time of year again! Spring semester AYA students have arrived and joined their host families in America. Recently, our German students attended orientation in New York, and we checked in to see how things were going. After a few weeks in their new homes, here's what … [Read more...]

News #weareaya, Academic Year in America, AYA, exchange students, exchange year, germany, january, new york city

Halfway Through the Year – YES Student Shares Observations

January 24, 2017 AYA Leave a Comment

Halfway Through the Year – YES Student Shares Observations | Academic Year in America (AYA)

The following blog post was written by Fira, a YES student from Indonesia living with her host family in South Carolina. Fira has a lot to say about how much her Local Coordinator, host family and exchange community mean to her as she reflects on reaching the halfway point in her … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories Academic Year in America, AYA, cultural exchange, exchange students, exchange year, host family, local coordinator, reflection, volunteer

Exchange Students Honor U.S. Fallen Heroes for Wreaths Across America Day

December 28, 2016 AYA Leave a Comment

Exchange Students Participate in Wreaths Across America Day | Academic Year in America (AYA)

Louise H., a Local Coordinator in the Virginia/Maryland area, and Cindy A., a Local Coordinator from Ohio, recently organized a fantastic community service project for a large group of AYA students to attend in Washington D.C. On a cold Saturday in December, in addition to … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories Academic Year in America, arlington cemetery, AYA, community service, exchange students, exchange year, georgia, latvia, lithuania, local coordinator, maryland, moldova, ohio, pakistan, philippines, poland, romania, ukraine, virginia, volunteer, washington d.c.

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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: Estefania from Germany Hosted in Florida
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