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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

Exchange student Nina from Germany 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 … [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

https://youtu.be/STOWIl1OBU4 Interview with AYA Local Coordinator Terri in New York State 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 … [Read more...]

Local Coordinator Stories local coordinator, new york, pennsylvania

Meet an AYA Local Coordinator: Hugh in Pennsylvania

December 8, 2023 AYA Leave a Comment

AYA Local Coordinator - Hugh in Pennsylvania

https://youtu.be/NxVWFiLGnqM?list=PL6PcvNYH76AonRVXc14pzC4R55Ds_S4hY Interview with AYA Local Coordinator Hugh in Pennsylvania Are you fascinated by international cultures? As an AYA Local Coordinator, you can share America with the world by helping international exchange … [Read more...]

Local Coordinator Stories interview, local coordinator, 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: 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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