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Thank You AYA: An Exchange Student’s Letter of Gratitude

August 26, 2015 AYA 1 Comment

Academic Year in America host an exchange student cultural exchange high school study abroad host family

Claudia an exchange student from Italy embarked on her academic year in America just about a year ago in Texas. Claudia speaks four languages and wanted to come to the U.S. to improve her English and experience the American culture. She stayed with the Wells family who … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories, Host Family Stories high school exchange year, host family, why host

Back For College: An AYA Alumni Story

August 19, 2015 AYA Leave a Comment

Academic Year in America host an exchange student cultural exchange high school study abroad host family

In 2010 Candice, an exchange student from China came to Alabama to spend an academic year in America with the Morrison family. The Morrison’s decided to host with AYA to give their family and son a cultural experience, broaden their knowledge of the world and support … [Read more...]

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An Act of Kindness: An AYA Student Alumni Story

July 31, 2015 AYA Leave a Comment

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Lasha, a former AYA exchange student from the Republic of Georgia, is now working to send Georgian students to the United States. He participated in Academic Year in America when he was 15 years old as a high school exchange student. Lasha shared with us his gratitude for the … [Read more...]

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AYA Equals Opportunity: A Student Story

July 20, 2015 AYA Leave a Comment

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The Thompson family is from Pennsylvania and a first year AYA host family. Last year they gave their family the opportunity to become acquainted with another country and culture by hosting a young man from Hungary. They thought there was no better way then welcoming a student for … [Read more...]

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A Journey of Two Host Sisters: Lea & Giulia’s Story

July 14, 2015 AYA Leave a Comment

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Lea from Germany and Giulia from Italy are two international students who spent their academic year in the Pacific Northwest with the Heath family along with their two dogs and two cats. Needless to say it was a full house for these two host sisters. Lea and Giulia shared with us … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories host family, host sibling, why host

Why Hosting Matters: A Host Dad’s Reflection

July 9, 2015 AYA Leave a Comment

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All our students have returned to their home countries and natural families. It's been a great year for all our AYA students and they have taken home great memories of their year in America with them. For many host families this is a time of reflection of the year past. Host … [Read more...]

Host Family Stories host dad, host family, why host

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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
  • Helping an Exchange Student Pursue Their Passions
  • 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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