Stories from Academic Year in America

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

A Special Holiday Gift for a Wonderful Host Family

December 21, 2016 AYA Leave a Comment

A Gift for a Wonderful Host Family | Academic Year in America (AYA)

Recently, sixteen-year-old Sophie, an AYA student from Germany, reached out to her Local Coordinator for a way to publicly thank her host family, the Frascht family in South Carolina. She wrote this letter of appreciation, suggesting it would be a perfect Christmas present to her … [Read more...]

Host Families Academic Year in America, AYA, christmas, Exchange Student, exchange year, holidays, host family

Why Hosting Matters: Khaled’s Story

November 30, 2016 AYA Leave a Comment

Why Hosting Matters: Khaled's Story | Academic Year in America

The following article was contributed by Terri, a Local Coordinator from New York reflecting on how overcoming jitters to host an exchange student opens up the opportunity of a lifetime. I suppose you could think of a lot of reasons why you might not host an exchange student. … [Read more...]

Host Families, Students Academic Year in America, cultural exchange, egypt, Exchange Student, host family, local coordinator, new york, why hosting matters

At This Time of Thanksgiving

November 18, 2016 AYA Leave a Comment

At This Time of Thanksgiving | Academic Year in America

This year marks the 35th year of AYA, and at this time of Thanksgiving, we want to take a moment to say thank you to everyone that has helped us reach this milestone. It is an honor to share the AYA experience with such a generous and kind network of host families, local … [Read more...]

News #weareaya, Academic Year in America, AYA, cultural exchange, holiday, host family, international exchange, local coordinator, Thanksgiving

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

Lessons and Advice from a Father Ten Times Over

October 19, 2016 AYA 1 Comment

Lessons and Advice from a Father Ten Times Over | Academic Year in America (AYA)

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...]

Host Families #dadsanddaughters, Academic Year in America, AYA, department of state, Exchange Student, exchange year, host family, host father, j-1 visa, why hosting matters

Having a Blast as a First-time Host Mom

October 12, 2016 AYA 3 Comments

Having a Blast as a First-time Host Mom | Academic Year in America (AYA)

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...]

Host Families, Students Academic Year in America, AYA, exchange students, exchange year, host family, oklahoma state university, texas, why hosting matters

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • …
  • 12
  • 13
  • 14
  • 15
  • 16
  • …
  • 22
  • 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

  • Student of the Month: Thore from Germany, Hosted in Arkansas
  • AYA Students in Action: The Results of the Global Youth Trailblazer Grants
  • AYA Exchange Student from Mali Chosen as Prestigious Student Speaker
  • Four Exceptional Host Families: AYA’s 2024-2025 Host Family of the Year Runners-Up 
  • Can Families with Older Children Host an Exchange Student? 

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