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Meet the Global Youth Trailblazer Grant Recipients for 2025

February 28, 2025 AYA Leave a Comment

youth put hands in

This year, Academic Year in America (AYA) launched the Global Youth Trailblazer Grant to empower exchange students and host community members to create meaningful, student-led projects that foster international understanding, social responsibility, and positive change. Applicants … [Read more...]

Volunteers arkansas, exchange students, germany, host siblings, new york, north carolina, pakistan, texas, volunteer

Spreading the Love: AYA Exchange Students Share Gratitude for Experience

February 14, 2020 AYA Leave a Comment

In the spirit of Valentine's Day, we asked our participants to share why they love being an international exchange student with AYA! Check out these incredibly powerful responses from exchange students from around the world who are hosted across the United States: Nomun … [Read more...]

Students exchange students, valentine's day

Host Families Share What They LOVE About Hosting an Exchange Student

February 13, 2020 AYA 1 Comment

Family hosting an exchange student during the holidays | Academic Year in America (AYA)

In the spirit of Valentine's Day, we asked some of our host families what they LOVE about hosting an exchange student with AYA! Check out these heartwarming responses from host families across the country: Host Mom Kate on Hosting an Exchange Student in Illinois: This … [Read more...]

Host Families cultural exchange, exchange students, host family, valentine's day

My Dream Come True: Exchange Student Maja from Germany Reflects on Her Arrival in the U.S.

August 13, 2019 AYA Blog 1 Comment

My Dream Come True: Exchange Student from Germany Reflects on Her Arrival in the U.S.

Every fall, hundreds of international high school students arrive in the United States for an exchange year through Academic Year in America (AYA). Flying across the world and finally arriving here in the U.S. is an exciting time for these exchange students, who can’t wait to … [Read more...]

Students Academic Year in America, exchange students, german exchange student, Student Arrival Orientation

A Stellar Year with the Stankiewicz Family: AYA Exchange Students Khaled and Batoor Share

August 8, 2019 AYA Blog Leave a Comment

For Academic Year in America (AYA) exchange students Khaled from Saudi Arabia and Batoor from Pakistan, spending a year in New York with the Stankiewicz family was the best experience they could have asked for when they signed up for an exchange year. This wonderful family … [Read more...]

Host Families, Students Academic Year in America, AYA families, cultural exchange, double-hosting, exchange students

Indonesian AYA Exchange Student Surya Learns About Life in the US with His American Dad!

July 26, 2019 AYA Blog Leave a Comment

Indonesian AYA Exchange Student Surya Learns About Life in the US with His American Dad!

When Surya, an Academic Year in America (AYA) exchange student from Indonesia on the YES program, arrived in New Mexico for his exchange year, his host father took him under his wing, quickly bonding with him and treating him as a true son. His host father certainly has had the … [Read more...]

Host Families, Students AYA families, exchange students, host father, student stories

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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: Mathilda from Germany, Hosted in Florida
  • Student of the Month: Maya from Germany, Hosted in Tennessee
  • Student of the Month: Thore from Germany, Hosted in Arkansas
  • AYA Students in Action: The Results of the Global Youth Trailblazer Grants
  • AYA Exchange Student from Mali Chosen as Prestigious Student Speaker

LC of the month

Local Coordinator volunteer academic year in america AYA cultural exchange high school exchange year

We love to recognize our field staff every month by asking … [Read More...]

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