Stories from Academic Year in America

  • Home
  • About the AYA Blog
  • Host Family Stories
  • Exchange Student Stories
  • FAQs
  • Request Info
  • Apply

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

AYA Reunions: Former Exchange Students Reconnect in Vienna

October 27, 2017 AYA Leave a Comment

AYA Reunions: Former Exchange Students Reconnect in Vienna | Academic Year in America (AYA)

When you host an exchange student, you're helping to bring the world together. Lifelong friendships and relationships are built across cultures and, sometimes, those connections help reunite participants later in life. Recently, two AYA alumni — Sophie from Germany and Larissa … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories Academic Year in America, alumni, austria, AYA, cultural exchange, exchange students, exchange year, germany, vienna

Prom Across America: Exchange Students Reflect on Experience

May 9, 2017 AYA 3 Comments

AYA Prom 2017 | Academic Year in America (AYA)

It's prom season! This high school tradition is a fun time of celebration for students across the country. Attending prom is a very special opportunity for AYA students. It's an exciting time with friends and classmates, but it's also a great cultural experience. Although it's a … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories Academic Year in America, arizona, austria, AYA, brazil, china, exchange students, exchange year, germany, india, iowa, italy, kansas, malaysia, morocco, north carolina, norway, ohio, oklahoma, pakistan, pennsylvania, prom, reflection, sierra leone, spain, switzerland, ukraine, wisconsin

Lessons to Learn from a Recent Exchange Student

April 11, 2017 AYA 1 Comment

Lessons to Learn from a Recent Exchange Student | Academic Year in America (AYA)

Felix F. was an AYA exchange student from Germany. He lived in Texas for a semester in the 2011-12 school year. Felix is now a college student back in Germany, and he took the time to share the following about his experience in the United States as a 15-year-old high school … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories Academic Year in America, alumni, Exchange Student, exchange year, germany, reflection, texas

Esse Quam Videri: My Exchange Year in North Carolina

February 22, 2017 AYA 1 Comment

Esse Quam Videri: Life in North Carolina | Academic Year in America (AYA)

North Carolina's state motto, Esse quam videri, means "to be, rather than to seem." It suggests the importance of authenticity over insincerity and show. This type of "keeping it real" attitude is right at home in the world of cultural exchange. When people have the chance to … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories Academic Year in America, AYA, Exchange Student, exchange year, germany, north carolina

Spotlight on Excellence: AYA Student Shines in New York

February 7, 2017 AYA 1 Comment

Spotlight on Excellence: AYA Student Shines in New York | Academic Year in America (AYA)

Carolin with her host family Our Local Coordinator Terri, from the state of New York, submitted the following acknowledgement of a student with whom she has been extremely impressed. Carolin, an exchange student from Germany, has been very involved in her school and local … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories #weareaya, Academic Year in America, AYA, cultural exchange, Exchange Student, exchange year, germany, high school exchange year, host family, new york, volunteer

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • …
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • Next Page »

About AYA

AYA logo

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 >

Search

Follow us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • TikTok
  • YouTube

Categories

  • Exchange Student Stories
  • FAQs
  • Host Family Stories
  • Local Coordinator Stories
  • News
  • Volunteerism Stories

Recent Posts

  • Student of the Month: Fateen from Bangladesh, Hosted in Oregon
  • J-1 vs F-1 High School Exchange Programs: What’s the Difference?
  • Student of the Month: Lina from Tunisia, Hosted in Indiana
  • Student of the Month: Lotta from Germany, Hosted in Arkansas
  • Student of the Month: Telmo from Spain, Hosted in Indiana

Follow blog via email

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Copyright © 2026 · Daily Dish Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in