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How Local Coordinators Bring the World Together

September 6, 2018 AYA 1 Comment

host families welcoming AYA exchange students

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 … [Read more...]

Local Coordinator Stories Academic Year in America, cultural exchange, exchange year, host families, international high school students, local coordinator, volunteer, Why volunteer

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

January 25, 2018 AYA Leave a Comment

Reflecting and Goal-Setting: AYA Students at Mid-Year Orientation | Academic Year in America (AYA) | Host an Exchange Student

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...]

Exchange Student Stories albania, american councils, department of state, exchange program, exchange students, exchange year, FLEX Program, foreign exchange students, idaho, illinois, international exchange students, kazakhstan, local coordinator, mid-year orientation, north carolina, ohio, philippines, republic of georgia, south carolina, turkey, west virginia, YES Program

What Being an Exchange Student Means to Me

November 20, 2017 AYA Leave a Comment

Italian Exchange Student Reflects on First Half of Year in the United States | Academic Year in America (AYA)

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...]

Exchange Student Stories Exchange Student, exchange year, international exchange student, italian exchange student, italy, south carolina

YES Student from Gaza Grateful for Exchange

November 15, 2017 AYA 2 Comments

#IEW2017: YES Student from Palestine Grateful for Exchange

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...]

Exchange Student Stories #iew2017, cultural exchange, department of state, Exchange Student, exchange year, international education, international education week, kennedy-lugar youth exchange and study, palestine, YES student

Madina from Kyrgyzstan Shares Why Exchanges are Important

November 14, 2017 AYA Leave a Comment

#IEW2017: Madina from Kyrgyzstan Shares Why Exchanges are Important | Academic Year in America (AYA) | International Education Week | FLEX Program

Madina, an AYA and FLEX program exchange student from Kyrgyzstan hosted in New York, shared with us why she feels international education and partaking in an exchange year are important — both for the student and the host family. Read on for her insightful comments: There so … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories department of state, Exchange Student, exchange year, FLEX Program, high school exchange program, international education week, international exchange student, Kyrgyzstan

Emma’s Journey from Germany to the Grand Canyon

November 10, 2017 AYA Leave a Comment

Exchange Student from Germany, Emma, visits the Grand Canyon in Arizona during her exchange year with Academic Year in America (AYA)

Emma from Germany is spending her exchange year in Arizona and, as such, only had one place she wanted to check off her travel bucket list while in the state: the Grand Canyon! Check out her reflection on the experience: Shortly after my arrival in Arizona, my host grandma … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories Academic Year in America, arizona, Exchange Student, exchange year, german exchange student, germany, grand canyon, travel

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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

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