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Can I Host an Exchange Student If I Live in a Big City? 

April 29, 2025 AYA Leave a Comment

exchange student from romania in times square, new york city

Hosting a high school exchange student is an experience like no other—it allows you and your family to experience the incredible benefits of cultural exchange while impacting a young person's life. You may think that hosting a foreign exchange student requires a big house in the … [Read more...]

FAQs Academic Year in America, big city, cultural exchange, Exchange Student, exchange students

Meet a Host Family: Chris & Shelby in Kansas

April 28, 2025 AYA Leave a Comment

Host parents in Kansas, Chris and Shelby

When Shelby and Chris in small-town Kansas decided to host an international exchange student through Academic Year in America (AYA), they weren’t sure exactly what to expect. But what they found was a rewarding experience that brought new traditions, deeper cultural … [Read more...]

Host Family Stories exchange students, exchange year, host family, interview, kansas, rural

Student Spotlight: Emilia from Poland Hosted in Tennessee

April 25, 2025 AYA Leave a Comment

AYA exchange student Emilia from Poland in Washington

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 Emilia, who is originally from Poland. Emilia has truly embraced new experiences, fostered … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories Academic Year in America, cultural exchange, exchange students, FLEX Program, host family, poland, student spotlight, tennessee

Can Retirees Host Exchange Students?

April 23, 2025 AYA Leave a Comment

exchange student from brazil in graduation cap and gown with host family in kentucky

Hosting a high school exchange student is a unique opportunity to welcome a young person from another country into your home, allowing you to share your culture and build a meaningful relationship. Due to the bonds formed during this experience, host parents often consider their … [Read more...]

FAQs Academic Year in America, cultural exchange, exchange students, FAQ, host family, Retirees

Can I Host Two Exchange Students at Once? 

April 22, 2025 AYA Leave a Comment

AYA Host Family of the Year 2022-23 - Flynn Family in Kansas - hosting two exchange students

Hosting a high school exchange student allows you to positively impact an international student’s life while enriching your own with a new cultural perspective. For everyone involved, hosting a high school exchange student is an incredible experience; even the local community … [Read more...]

FAQs cultural exchange, double-hosting, exchange students, FAQ, host family, hosting two exchange students

Can Single People Host Exchange Students? 

April 18, 2025 AYA Leave a Comment

AYA exchange student Vendel - single host parent

Hosting an exchange student provides an incredible and unique cultural exchange experience. Welcoming a high school exchange student into your home allows you to make a lifelong connection and expand your global perspective, all while improving the life of a young person and … [Read more...]

FAQs cultural exchange, exchange students, FAQ, single host parent, who can host

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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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Recent Posts

  • Student of the Month: Milana from Turkmenistan, Hosted in Texas
  • Student Spotlight: Houriegodny from Indonesia Hosted in South Carolina
  • 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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