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Student Spotlight: Houriegodny from Indonesia Hosted in South Carolina

April 25, 2026 AYA Leave a Comment

aya high school exchange student from indonesia with art project in south carolina

We’re excited to spotlight one of our incredible exchange students who truly represents the heart of cultural exchange. Meet Houriegodny—who goes by Fira—an inspiring exchange student from Indonesia currently spending her high school year in South Carolina. Between embracing new … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories Exchange Student, Indonesia, single host parent, south carolina, YES Program

AYA Exchange Student from Mali Chosen as Prestigious Student Speaker

May 27, 2025 AYA Leave a Comment

YES Student Mohamed Student Speaker with Host family

Every year, Academic Year in America (AYA) student support staff nominate some of our YES Program exchange students to speak at their End of Stay orientation in Washington, D.C., before everyone departs for their home countries. This year, AYA is excited to announce that Mohamed, … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories Academic Year in America, cultural exchange, exchange year, south carolina, YES Program, YES student

Meet the AYA 2019-20 Host Family of the Year!

May 27, 2020 AYA Leave a Comment

AYA host family and exchange student

At the end of each school year, Academic Year in America (AYA) international high school exchange students and their Local Coordinators across the United States take the time to nominate host families for the honor of AYA Host Family of the Year. In … [Read more...]

Host Family Stories FLEX Program, host family, host family of the year, moldova, south carolina

Reflecting and Goal-Setting: AYA Students at Mid-Year Orientation

January 25, 2018 AYA Leave a Comment

Reflecting and Goal-Setting: AYA Students at Mid-Year Orientation | Academic Year in America (AYA) | Host an Exchange Student

Government sponsored students are required to participate in a Mid-Year Orientation and AYA is pleased to be able to offer our students the opportunity to attend a group orientation. The AYA Mid-Year Orientation provides invaluable cultural education and student support during … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories albania, american councils, department of state, exchange program, exchange students, exchange year, FLEX Program, foreign exchange students, idaho, illinois, international exchange students, kazakhstan, local coordinator, mid-year orientation, north carolina, ohio, philippines, republic of georgia, south carolina, turkey, west virginia, YES Program

What Being an Exchange Student Means to Me

November 20, 2017 AYA Leave a Comment

Italian Exchange Student Reflects on First Half of Year in the United States | Academic Year in America (AYA)

It's hard to believe we're approaching the half-way point in 2017-18 academic year! First semester is almost over, which means many of our students are reflecting on the first half of their experience so far. Alice, an AYA international exchange student from Italy hosted in South … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories Exchange Student, exchange year, international exchange student, italian exchange student, italy, south carolina

Student Spotlight: Sophie’s First 100 Days

December 22, 2016 AYA Leave a Comment

Student Spotlight: Sophie's First 100 Days | Academic Year in America

Like many AYA students at this time of year, Sophie, an exchange student from Germany, has reached the milestone of her first 100 days in the United States. Sophie writes a blog (in German) about her high school exchange experience and was kind enough to provide the following … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories Academic Year in America, AYA, Exchange Student, exchange year, germany, south carolina

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: Milana from Turkmenistan, Hosted in Texas
  • Student Spotlight: Houriegodny from Indonesia Hosted in South Carolina
  • Student of the Month: Roman from Ukraine, Hosted in Maine
  • What 45 Years of Cultural Exchange Has Taught Us
  • Student of the Month: Fateen from Bangladesh, Hosted in Oregon

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