Stories from Academic Year in America

  • Volunteers
  • Host Families
  • Students
  • About AYA
  • Learn More
  • Request Information

An Important Message from AYA: Embrace the Ideals of Cultural Exchange

February 1, 2017 AYA Leave a Comment

An Important Message from AYA: Embrace the Ideals of Cultural Exchange

In support of international education and opportunities to make empowered connections through public diplomacy, here is a message from Academic Year in America Executive Director Melanie French: Thirty-five years ago, the Academic Year in America (AYA) program began to provide … [Read more...]

News #weareaya, Academic Year in America, AYA, cultural exchange, Exchange Student, exchange year, high school exchange year, international exchange, why hosting matters

A Very Special AYA Christmas

December 21, 2016 AYA Leave a Comment

Exchange Student has a Very Special Christmas! | Academic Year in America

Sharing holiday traditions can be a fun way to get to know more about another culture. Fatima, a YES student from Lebanon, shared the following about her experiences learning about Christmas and volunteering in her community with her host mom. It's lovely to see people coming … [Read more...]

Students Academic Year in America, AYA, Exchange Student, exchange students, exchange year, high school exchange year, holiday, lebanon, YES, YES Program, YES student

Meet the Winner of the AYA Halloween Costume Contest!

November 3, 2016 AYA Leave a Comment

Meet the Winner of the AYA Halloween Costume Contest!

Every year, AYA exchange students are immersed in Halloween traditions in the United States: pumpkin carving, corn mazes, trick-or-treating, dressing up in costume and more. This year, we decided to have a Halloween Costume Contest for AYA students and host families across the … [Read more...]

Host Families, Students #weareaya, Academic Year in America, AYA, contest, cultural exchange, exchange students, Halloween, high school exchange year, holiday, host family, why hosting matters

Exchange Students Celebrate Autumn Across America

October 11, 2016 AYA Leave a Comment

Autumn Across America | Academic Year in America (AYA)

Fall fun and holiday celebrations include Thanksgiving and Halloween, birthdays, harvest fairs and more. Many of these events are special "firsts" for AYA students, like the following submission from AYA student Fernanda from Brazil: Trick or Treating for the First … [Read more...]

Students Academic Year in America, autumn, AYA, Exchange Student, exchange students, exchange year, fall, Halloween, high school exchange year, holiday, host family, Thanksgiving

Best of #WeAreAYA: September Edition

September 29, 2016 AYA Leave a Comment

Best of #WeAreAYA: September Edition | Academic Year in America (AYA)

Month after month we are reminded of the amazing community of students, host families, and Local Coordinators who love to share exchange year experiences on social media! As fall rapidly approaches, we see so many events and holiday memories shared: first days of school, … [Read more...]

Host Families, Students #weareaya, Academic Year in America, AYA, cultural exchange, Exchange Student, exchange year, high school exchange year, instagram

#ThrowbackThursday: AYA LC and Host Mom Shares Fun “Firsts”

September 29, 2016 AYA Leave a Comment

Hosting a high school exchange student can be a rewarding, meaningful and fun opportunity for American families. For example, Pat E., a Local Coordinator and host mother in Michigan, tells us how much enjoyment her family has had hosting two AYA students that have become like … [Read more...]

Host Families #tbt, Academic Year in America, AYA, Exchange Student, exchange year, high school exchange year, host family, local coordinator

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • …
  • 9
  • 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 >

Follow us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • TikTok
  • YouTube

Follow blog via email

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

Categories

  • FAQs
  • Host Families
  • LC of the Month
  • LC of the Quarter
  • Local Coordinators
  • News
  • Students
  • Uncategorized
  • Volunteers

Recent Posts

  • Meet the 2024-25 Host Family of the Year: The Edwards Family in Kentucky
  • Meet a Host Family: Julie in Kansas
  • Can I Host an Exchange Student If I Live in a Big City? 
  • Meet a Host Family: Allen in Kansas
  • Meet a Host Family: Chris & Shelby in Kansas

LC of the month

Local Coordinator volunteer academic year in america AYA cultural exchange high school exchange year

We love to recognize our field staff every month by asking … [Read More...]

Search

Copyright © 2025 · Daily Dish Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in