On Thanksgiving week, people across the USA travel near and far to reunite with loved ones. For Academic Year in America (AYA) host mom and Local Coordinator Melissa, though, a family reunion came a bit early this year. After hosting exchange student Sanna from Germany, Melissa … [Read more...]
Exchange Students Reflect on Acclimating to Life in the United States
Can you believe we’re nearly halfway through the month of September? Time flies when you’re having fun… and Academic Year in America (AYA) students know this firsthand! Since arriving in the United States in August, our high school exchange students have been traveling, … [Read more...]
To Germany and Back: How Hosting an Exchange Student Led to the Trip of a Lifetime
When you host an exchange student, your family will grow across the globe. Robb, an Academic Year in America (AYA) host dad from Ohio, knows this firsthand. A host father of 8 (going on 9) students, Robb’s family has expanded immensely since he started hosting. A few years ago, … [Read more...]
From Local Coordinator to International Mother: An AYA Host Mom’s Reflection
A mother of four kids under age 10, Melissa, a Local Coordinator from North Carolina, was initially nervous about hosting a high school exchange student with Academic Year in America (AYA). Before long though, her German exchange student, Sanna, became family. While saying … [Read more...]
100 Volunteer Hours and Counting!
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...]
Throwback Thursday: My Extraordinary Adventure
My Extraordinary Adventure takes us back to 2015 when Cansu, an AYA student from Germany, shared her American experience: "Six months have passed now since my arrival to the United States. I have had many incredible experiences, for example, canoeing, camping, a wild cave … [Read more...]