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Reflections on a Five-Year Adventure with AYA

August 23, 2016 AYA Leave a Comment

Host Mother Reflects on Five-Year Journey with AYA | Academic Year in America

Sharing each other's culture and living as family can lead to some pretty great experiences and cherished memories. It is not surprising, but always wonderful to hear when host families and AYA exchange students form lasting bonds. The following contribution is from host mom … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories, Host Family Stories Academic Year in America, AYA, cultural exchange, exchange students, exchange year, high school exchange year, host family, host siblings, why hosting matters

Planning for Your Exchange Student’s Arrival

August 4, 2016 AYA 1 Comment

Planning for Your Exchange Student's Arrival | Academic Year in America

Preparing for the arrival of your AYA student can really be so much fun. The little details and extra effort you put into preparation can easily mean the world to a young person venturing to a foreign country – perhaps leaving the comfort and familiarity of home for the first … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories, Host Family Stories Academic Year in America, AYA, cultural exchange, Exchange Student, exchange students, exchange year, host family, international exchange, international exchange program, welcome

Sharing Fun Times Together – Across the United States

July 26, 2016 AYA Leave a Comment

Exchange Students Have Fun Across the US | Academic Year in America (AYA)

Host families, AYA students and Local Coordinators often share such fun pictures and stories from their travels and activities together. It's great to see so many 'firsts' and people exploring America's vast natural beauty, landmarks, food, pastimes and so much more! For your … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories Academic Year in America, AYA, Exchange Student, exchange students, exchange year, host family, why host

Fourth of July: Celebrating America the Melting Pot

July 1, 2016 AYA Leave a Comment

Happy Fourth of July from Academic Year in America | Show Your American Pride: Host an International Exchange Student

This Monday we celebrate Independence Day. Commonly called the Fourth of July, the day commemorates how colonial Americans fought for and won freedom from English rule. In 1776, our founding fathers declared independence from England and established the United … [Read more...]

Host Family Stories Academic Year in America, AYA, diversity, exchange students, fourth of july, holiday, host family, independence day

Hosting an Exchange Student Means Jumping in With Both Feet

June 30, 2016 AYA Leave a Comment

Academic Year in America (AYA) | Hosting Means Jumping in with Both Feet

The following article was contributed by Terri, an AYA host mother and Local Coordinator from New York, reflecting on her experience as a host mom and lessons learned while hosting a foreign exchange student for the first time. Six years ago, and new to Facebook at the time, I … [Read more...]

Host Family Stories Academic Year in America, AYA, china, chinese exchange student, exchange students, exchange year, host family, international exchange students, new york, why host

FLEX & YES Students Share AYA Memories

June 21, 2016 AYA Leave a Comment

Academic Year in America YES and FLEX Students

The FLEX and YES grants, provided by the Department of State, enable students from all over the world to study, volunteer and experience America. These students are extremely bright, talented and hardworking. They are wonderful additions to host families and high schools across … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories Academic Year in America, AYA, exchange students, exchange year, FLEX, FLEX student, foreign exchange students, host family, international exchange, why hosting matters, YES, YES Program, YES student

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About AYA

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AYA is sponsored by the American Institute For Foreign Study (AIFS) Foundation, a not-for-profit organization founded in 1967. Its mission is to promote worldwide understanding through cultural exchange. Learn more >

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Recent Posts

  • 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
  • Student of the Month: Lotta from Germany, Hosted in Arkansas
  • Student of the Month: Telmo from Spain, Hosted in Indiana

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