Stories from Academic Year in America

Exchange Students Reflect on Acclimating to Life in the United States

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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

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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 … [Read more...]

From Local Coordinator to International Mother: An AYA Host Mom’s Reflection

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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!

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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...]

Emma’s Journey from Germany to the Grand Canyon

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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...]