Stories from Academic Year in America

5 Benefits of Having an International Big Sister

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The bonds between Academic Year in America (AYA) host siblings and exchange students are one of a kind. Just as the exchange experience has a major impact on the exchange student’s life, the hosting experience offers an array of benefits for American children. These are 5 … [Read more...]

7 Simple Ways to Learn About a Different Culture

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Interested in learning about a different part of the world – but not sure how to do so? Cultural exchange programs like Academic Year in America (AYA) offer a great way to start. With so much to discover, though, even participants of our program may be stumped on the best ways … [Read more...]

How Local Coordinators Bring the World Together

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Wondering what makes Academic Year in America (AYA) wonderful? Our Local Coordinators are the wheels that keep us moving and inspired. If you’re asking why our Local Coordinators are so special, here are just a few things they do to move our world closer together. Help Families … [Read more...]

Reflecting and Goal-Setting: AYA Students at Mid-Year Orientation

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Government sponsored students are required to participate in a Mid-Year Orientation and AYA is pleased to be able to offer our students the opportunity to attend a group orientation. The AYA Mid-Year Orientation provides invaluable cultural education and student support during … [Read more...]

What Being an Exchange Student Means to Me

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It's hard to believe we're approaching the half-way point in 2017-18 academic year! First semester is almost over, which means many of our students are reflecting on the first half of their experience so far. Alice, an AYA international exchange student from Italy hosted in South … [Read more...]

YES Student from Gaza Grateful for Exchange

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International Education Week (IEW) is such a great way to reflect on all the ways that international education opportunities and exchange programs influence participants and the greater world around us. Karam, a Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (KL-YES) student from Gaza … [Read more...]