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Student of the Month: Leonardo from Brazil, Hosted in Pennsylvania

August 30, 2026 AYA Leave a Comment

AYA Student of the month Leonardo from Brazil hosted in Pennsylvania

While every AYA student is committed to cultural exchange and intercultural learning, some truly go above and beyond—creating a lasting impact on their host family and community that deserves a special shoutout. Leonardo from Brazil is an exceptional example of this … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories Academic Year in America, AYA, brazil, cultural exchange, Exchange Student, exchange students, exchange year, high school exchange in Pennsylvania, high school exchange year, host family, pennsylvania, student of the month

High Schools That Make a Difference: Announcing the 2025 – 2026 Tony Cook Memorial Grant Recipients 

June 2, 2026 AYA Leave a Comment

World flags on a pile of books in front of a green chalkboard

Every year, exchange students walk into high school classrooms across the U.S. In doing so, they enrich the schools that welcome them with a global perspective and help spread intercultural understanding throughout the broader community.  The Tony Cook … [Read more...]

News aifs foundation, florida, high school, mississippi, new york, north dakota, pennsylvania, south carolina, tennessee, texas, Tony Cook Memorial Grant, wisconsin

America250 Student Reflections Contest: Experiencing the U.S. Through Exchange Students’ Eyes

May 28, 2026 AYA Leave a Comment

collage of high school exchange student artwork celebrating America250

This year, as the United States prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary, Academic Year in America (AYA) invited its current exchange students to participate in something special to mark the occasion. In partnership with the U.S. … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories, News america250, art, Bangladesh, contest, exchange students, FLEX Program, germany, Indonesia, italy, jordan, kansas, kosovo, minnesota, north dakota, oregon, pennsylvania, south carolina, tennessee, texas, ukraine, YES Program

Student of the Month: Nina from Germany, Hosted in Pennsylvania

October 21, 2024 AYA Leave a Comment

aya exchange student from germany in pennsylvania

We are thrilled to shine a spotlight on one of our outstanding exchange students who has truly embodied the spirit of learning, growth, and cultural exchange. Meet Nina, our esteemed Student of the Month for October 2024! Originally from Germany, this exchange student … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories germany, pennsylvania, student of the month

Student Spotlight: Daniel from France Hosted in Pennsylvania

June 5, 2024 AYA Leave a Comment

exchange student with host family in pennsylvania

We are thrilled to shine a spotlight on one of our outstanding students who has truly embodied the spirit of learning, growth, and cultural exchange. Meet exchange student Daniel, who is originally from France. Daniel has truly embraced new experiences, fostered … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories Exchange Student, france, host familiy, pennsylvania

Meet an AYA Local Coordinator: Terri in New York  

January 6, 2024 AYA Leave a Comment

AYA Local Coordinator - Terri in New York

Are you fascinated by international cultures? As an AYA Local Coordinator, you can share America with the world by helping international exchange students come to the United States to live with American families and attend American high schools.  In our “Meet an AYA Local … [Read more...]

Local Coordinator Stories local coordinator, new york, pennsylvania

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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: Youtso from China, Hosted in Maine
  • From Belgium to Belleville: AYA Student Meets Governor JB Pritzker
  • Student of the Month: Elisa from Italy, Hosted in Arkansas
  • Student of the Month: Leonardo from Brazil, Hosted in Pennsylvania
  • When Hosting Does Not Go According to Plan—and Still Changes a Life

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