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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

100 Volunteer Hours and Counting!

May 29, 2018 AYA 1 Comment

3 Things You Can Learn About a Different Culture By Hosting an Exchange Student | Academic Year in America (AYA) | Host an Exchange Student

AYA student Leonie from Germany has just completed a personal goal that she set for herself for the year: to complete 100 hours of volunteer work! Read on to learn more about her challenge and the lessons she learned along the way. “My name is Leonie and I’m a German exchange … [Read more...]

Students Academic Year in America, community service, Exchange Student, german exchange student, germany, high school international exchange, virginia, volunteering

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...]

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

AYA Mom Shares Experience Hosting an Exchange Student

October 23, 2017 AYA Leave a Comment

Luisa with her host family

Host mom, Denise, contributed the following story to share with you as a guest blogger, about her experience hosting an international high school student from Germany with AYA—and what hosting exchange students has done to help her family. Tomorrow, we'll share a similar account … [Read more...]

Host Families, Students, Volunteers Academic Year in America, cultural exchange, german exchange student, High school exchange, host mom, hosting an exchange student, international education

Exchange Student Reflection: Roman from Germany’s Experience

April 7, 2016 AYA Leave a Comment

German exchange student posing in front of a plane.

Roman, a high school exchange student from Germany, provides the following detailed story about his experiences to let people know the value of international exchange from his firsthand perspective. An Exchange Year in the USA is a Worthwhile Experience "My name is Roman … [Read more...]

Students Academic Year in America, AYA, benefits of foreign exchange, Exchange Student, german exchange student, High school exchange

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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