Time and again, we see how an exchange year can shape a high school student’s life in lasting ways. For Ilina, an exchange student from North Macedonia spending her year in Texas, that journey has been filled with new experiences, meaningful connections, and moments that have … [Read more...]
High Schools That Make a Difference: Announcing the 2025 – 2026 Tony Cook Memorial Grant Recipients
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...]
America250 Student Reflections Contest: Experiencing the U.S. Through Exchange Students’ Eyes
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...]
Student Spotlight: Arfa from Indonesia Hosted in Texas
Time and again, we see how an exchange year can shape a high school student’s life in lasting ways. For Arfa, an exchange student from Indonesia spending his year in Texas, that journey has been filled with new experiences, meaningful connections, and moments that have pushed him … [Read more...]
Student of the Month: Milana from Turkmenistan, Hosted in Texas
Student of the Month Milana from Turkmenistan with her host family in Texas Each month at AYA, we take time to recognize some of the truly exceptional exchange students from our program. This month, we’re happy to name Milana from Turkmenistan as the Student of the Month for … [Read more...]
Meet the Global Youth Trailblazer Grant Recipients for 2025
Hands of group of people which stay together in circle This year, Academic Year in America (AYA) launched the Global Youth Trailblazer Grant to empower exchange students and host community members to create meaningful, student-led projects that foster international … [Read more...]