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Host Family of the Month: The Whittaker Family from Ohio!

May 1, 2016 AYA Leave a Comment

AYA Exchange students and host parents

Prom dress shopping! Congratulations to the Whittaker family from Ohio for being our Host Family of the Month (April)! The Whittakers have been an amazing support for their Germany exchange daughter. They spend quality family time together laughing and hanging out. … [Read more...]

Host Family Stories Academic Year in America, AYA, exchange students, exchange year, germany, host family, host family of the month

Happy National Volunteer Week from AYA!

April 12, 2016 AYA Leave a Comment

International exchange students volunteer with Academic Year in America (AYA) for Habitat for Humanity

It’s National Volunteer Week! This is a very important week for Academic Year in America, because the success of our programs depends so much upon volunteers. To all of our volunteer host families, we send out a hearty and sincere THANK YOU! Your generosity and kindness in … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories, Volunteerism Stories academic year, community, community service, exchange students, foreign exchange students, giving back, host family, local coordinator, national volunteer week, volunteer, volunteering

AYA Student Gives Back to Her Community!

February 26, 2016 AYA Leave a Comment

Academic Year in America host an exchange student cultural education international education high school exchange year AYA

Zainab is an AYA exchange student from Pakistan through our partnership with the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study Program (YES). She is an eager, helpful and compassionate student that lives in Ohio with her host family, the Schneiders and their two children. She recently … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories, Host Family Stories, Volunteerism Stories global education, host family, Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange & Study, why hosting matters, Why volunteer, YES

Hosting Q&A with Melanie our AYA Director

January 22, 2016 AYA Leave a Comment

Academic Year in America exchange students cultural exchange AYA AYA alumni host family why hosting matters why host

Recently, we caught up with Melanie, the Director of Academic Year in America (AYA) as her exchange student Marvin from 6 years ago was visiting her and her family in Connecticut! She even brought him to our national office to meet the AYA team! We all enjoyed meeting Marvin and … [Read more...]

Host Family Stories high school exchange year, host family, volunteer, why host, why hosting matters

Can I Host For A Semester?

January 7, 2016 AYA Leave a Comment

Academic Year in America High School Exchange Host Host Family Host for a Semester Semester Student AYA

It’s a new year and it’s a fresh new start for our January semester students who have just arrived in the U.S. and are enjoying orientation in New York City this week! During orientation our Local Coordinators volunteer alongside with our AYA national staff to prepare and equip … [Read more...]

Host Family Stories Host a Semester, host family, why host

10 Things to Include in Your Exchange Journal

October 29, 2015 AYA Leave a Comment

Travel Journal Exchange Journal Academic Year in America Exchange Student AYA

The academic year is full of so many amazing things, new memories and new places. A great way to remember all these things is to create a exchange journal that you can take back with you filled with your experiences that you can share with your family and friends. Check … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories exchange journal, exchange year, host family, local coordinator

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About AYA

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Academic Year in America (AYA) is sponsored by the AIFS Foundation, a not-for-profit organization founded in 1967. Its mission is to promote worldwide understanding through cultural exchange.

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Recent Posts

  • Student of the Month: Estefania from Germany Hosted in Florida
  • Student Spotlight: Niklas from Austria Hosted in Georgia
  • Student Spotlight: Maya from Germany Hosted in Tennessee
  • Student Spotlight: Ilina from North Macedonia Hosted in Texas
  • High Schools That Make a Difference: Announcing the 2025 – 2026 Tony Cook Memorial Grant Recipients 

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