The Hoffman family—the 2026 winners of the AYA Host Family of the Year award—is a stellar example of what it means to dedicate yourself to hosting an exchange student with Academic Year in America. Shortly after their high school exchange student Fateen from Bangladesh … [Read more...]
What Happens When a Host Family Shows Up: The Story of the Starr Family and Greta
Exchange student Greta with her host family, The Starr Family, in Ohio Shortly after arriving in Ohio from Germany, Greta faced one of the hardest experiences an exchange student can face—one that she thought was going to cut her exchange year short. Her original … [Read more...]
Four Families, Four States, One Unforgettable Exchange Year
While every host family is different, the most caring ones share something in common: a dedication to ensuring their exchange students have everything they need to make their time in the U.S. unforgettable. Fortunately, Academic Year in America (AYA) is filled with amazing host … [Read more...]
Host Family Appreciation Week: Celebrating the Families Behind Cultural Exchange
Host Family in North Carolina with their Exchange Student Every exchange student journey begins with a welcome. Sometimes it’s a homemade sign at the airport. Sometimes it’s a family dinner after a long day of travel. Sometimes it’s simply hearing the words, “We’re so … [Read more...]
Student of the Month: Milana from Turkmenistan, Hosted in Texas
Student of the Month Milana from Turkmenistan with her host family in Texas Each month at AYA, we take time to recognize some of the truly exceptional exchange students from our program. This month, we’re happy to name Milana from Turkmenistan as the Student of the Month for … [Read more...]
What 45 Years of Cultural Exchange Has Taught Us
Cultural exchange isn’t a vacation or a line on a resume—it’s an experience that shifts how you see the world and your place in it. It’s about broadening your perspective and creating lifelong connections. Whether you’re setting out as an exchange student or opening your home to … [Read more...]
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