Stories from Academic Year in America

  • Volunteers
  • Host Families
  • Students
  • About AYA
  • Learn More
  • Request Information

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...]

Students 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

Happy Father’s Day AYA Host Dads!

June 17, 2016 AYA Leave a Comment

Academic Year in America Celebrates Host Father's Day

Thank you to all of the host dads across the country. The opportunity you give AYA students to see what life is like in the U.S. and become a part of an American family is remarkable. Thanks for the warm welcome and fatherly support you provide our international students. Just … [Read more...]

Host Families Academic Year in America, AYA, Exchange Student, exchange year, family, father's day, host dad, host families, host family

Lifting the Veil: Uncovering and Defying Stereotypes

June 8, 2016 AYA Leave a Comment

Academic Year in America - International Exchange Student - Muslim Faith - Defying Stereotypes

The following article was contributed by Terri, an LC from New York reflecting on her experience hosting Muslim students in rural America. Five years ago, we welcomed our first student who wore a head covering. She was from Pakistan, so she wore more of a scarf than a full … [Read more...]

Local Coordinators, Students Academic Year in America, AYA, Exchange Student, exchange year, hijab, international exchange, local coordinator, muslim, why hosting matters

Making a Difference: World Oceans Day

June 8, 2016 AYA Leave a Comment

Academic Year in America German exchange student in Florida Keys, United States

In honor of World Oceans Day, June 8, 2016, we are happy to share this story written by Bo, a former AYA student from Germany, during his time as a high school exchange student in Florida. Bo wrote about his fantastic adventures volunteering to preserve marine life in the Florida … [Read more...]

Students Academic Year in America, AYA, exchange year, florida, florida keys, germany, high school exchange year, why hosting matters, world oceans day

America the Beautiful: Through the Eyes of Cultural Exchange

June 7, 2016 AYA Leave a Comment

Academic Year in America - Host Family and Exchange Student - Ranching and Riding Horses

Diana pictured (front left) with her host family as they prepare to ride. AYA students enjoy the opportunity to see the real America. Sometimes their experiences can seem like a movie, but they are also important to show that the U.S. is too massive and varied to conform … [Read more...]

Students Academic Year in America, arkansas, AYA, Exchange Student, exchange year, host family, italy, ranching

Iowa Family Shares Inspiration to Host an Exchange Student

May 31, 2016 AYA Leave a Comment

Academic Year in America - Iowa Family Inspired to Host Exchange Student

Our host families come from all walks of life, from all across the U.S. What AYA host families have in common is their interest in welcoming an international student into their homes like a member of the family. Host families enjoy cultural exchange and providing opportunities … [Read more...]

Host Families Academic Year in America, AYA, brazil, Exchange Student, exchange year, host dad, host family, iowa

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • …
  • 11
  • 12
  • 13
  • 14
  • 15
  • 16
  • Next Page »

About AYA

AYA logo

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 >

Follow us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • TikTok
  • YouTube

Follow blog via email

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

Categories

  • FAQs
  • Host Families
  • LC of the Month
  • LC of the Quarter
  • Local Coordinators
  • News
  • Students
  • Uncategorized
  • Volunteers

Recent Posts

  • 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
  • Four Exceptional Host Families: AYA’s 2024-2025 Host Family of the Year Runners-Up 
  • Can Families with Older Children Host an Exchange Student? 

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...]

Search

Copyright © 2025 · Daily Dish Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in