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What to Expect as an AYA Host Family

July 14, 2016 AYA 2 Comments

What to Expect as an AYA Host Family | Academic Year in America

It's so exciting to meet and bond with a new foreign exchange student about to become a part of your household! You become surrogate parents and gain a "new" son or daughter when you participate in cultural exchange through hosting with AYA. Expectant host families have so … [Read more...]

Host Family Stories Academic Year in America, AYA, Exchange Student, exchange year, host family, why host

Fourth of July: Celebrating America the Melting Pot

July 1, 2016 AYA Leave a Comment

Happy Fourth of July from Academic Year in America | Show Your American Pride: Host an International Exchange Student

This Monday we celebrate Independence Day. Commonly called the Fourth of July, the day commemorates how colonial Americans fought for and won freedom from English rule. In 1776, our founding fathers declared independence from England and established the United … [Read more...]

Host Family Stories Academic Year in America, AYA, diversity, exchange students, fourth of july, holiday, host family, independence day

Hosting an Exchange Student Means Jumping in With Both Feet

June 30, 2016 AYA Leave a Comment

Academic Year in America (AYA) | Hosting Means Jumping in with Both Feet

The following article was contributed by Terri, an AYA host mother and Local Coordinator from New York, reflecting on her experience as a host mom and lessons learned while hosting a foreign exchange student for the first time. Six years ago, and new to Facebook at the time, I … [Read more...]

Host Family Stories Academic Year in America, AYA, china, chinese exchange student, exchange students, exchange year, host family, international exchange students, new york, why host

Congrats to the AYA Host Family of the Year 2016!

June 24, 2016 AYA 1 Comment

Academic Year in America Host Family of the Year - The McLoughlin Family (Lincoln, Nebraska)

Each year, AYA students and Local Coordinators (LCs) nominate host families across the country for the honor of Host Family of the Year. It is always difficult to choose a winner from all of the nominations. We're reminded each year that AYA host families make such a huge impact … [Read more...]

Host Family Stories Academic Year in America, AYA, Exchange Student, exchange year, foreign exchange students, host families, host family, host family of the year, volunteer, why hosting matters

YES Student Keeps an Open Mind

June 24, 2016 AYA Leave a Comment

Academic Year in America Exchange Student from Jordan Embraces New Community

Here's a great example of how an open mind and willingness to explore life outside of your comfort zone can yield wonderful results to overcome culture shock and make real connections with people that seem so different on the surface. The following submission from Daniel, a YES … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories Academic Year in America, AYA, community, Exchange Student, exchange year, high school exchange year, host family, local coordinator, why hosting matters, YES, YES Program, YES student

Ambassadors for America: Host an AYA Student

June 23, 2016 AYA Leave a Comment

Academic Year in America Student Shares Memory of School Play in United States

Host families do so much to show students from around the world what America is really like. It means so much to these students to live as part of an American family and go to school and interact with American teenagers. As you'll see in the passage below, Marie, an exchange … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories Academic Year in America, AYA, Exchange Student, exchange year, germany, host family, school play

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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

  • When Hosting Does Not Go According to Plan—and Still Changes a Life
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  • Beyond the School Year: How Host Family & Exchange Student Relationships Last
  • How Hosting Strengthens Schools and Communities
  • Cultural Exchange Happens Around the Dinner Table

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