AYA exchange students International high school students who want to come to the U.S. to live with a host family have two main options: the J-1 and F-1 visa programs. Both visa programs serve as gateways to high school exchange, providing opportunities for … [Read more...]
Finding Support for Cultural Exchange on Capitol Hill
AYA Regional Director Pieter Hogoboom recently spent some time in Washington, D.C., to advocate for cultural exchange. He was accompanied by a representative from an AYA partner organization overseas. Together, they met with aides for Congressional representatives from the state … [Read more...]
3 Important Ways AYA Participants Advocate for Cultural Exchange in the USA
Academic Year in America is celebrating 35 years of helping to connect American families and communities with international high school students from around the world. We are proud to be an initiative that supports grassroots opportunities for cultural exchange and … [Read more...]
Lessons and Advice from a Father Ten Times Over
John and his host daughter, Yingyu, pose during some quality outdoor time together. 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 … [Read more...]
Share Your Father/Daughter Stories for an Important Cause
The State Department wants you to help improve the global conversation about dads, daughters, and gender equality! If you have a great father-daughter or host father-host daughter relationship, here's how you can get involved: Submit a story (250-500 words) or photos paired … [Read more...]