Stories from Academic Year in America

Meet the Winner of the AYA Halloween Costume Contest!

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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...]

Lessons and Advice from a Father Ten Times Over

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The following was contributed by John R., an Academic Year in America (AYA) host father who has been hosting international exchange students for eight years and counting.  In life sometimes there are those special people that will help us learn and make us better. I can … [Read more...]

Having a Blast as a First-time Host Mom

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Host mom Tina R. from Texas reached out recently to share the following about welcoming two AYA students into her family this year. This is my first year hosting an exchange student, so most that know me were surprised when they discovered that I had decided to host two … [Read more...]

Exchange Students Celebrate Autumn Across America

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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...]

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

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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...]