Volunteering to serve food at a homeless shelter Sometimes life comes at you fast. It's often the things we take a chance on that change our lives the most. Byron and his partner never anticipated hosting an exchange student, but taking a leap of faith and going for it has … [Read more...]
Lessons to Learn from a Recent Exchange Student
Felix F. was an AYA exchange student from Germany. He lived in Texas for a semester in the 2011-12 school year. Felix is now a college student back in Germany, and he took the time to share the following about his experience in the United States as a 15-year-old high school … [Read more...]
Connections that Count: Former Exchange Student Shares Success
Anne and host sister Priscila as AYA students As we celebrate 35 years of helping people connect through AYA exchange, it is a pleasure to hear from students that participated with us over the years. Today, we share reflections of a former student, Anne-Kathrin from Germany. … [Read more...]
Having a Blast as a First-time Host Mom
Athicha ("Saipan") from Thailand and Laura from Germany pose with host mom and her mother at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma. The group enjoyed school spirit and attended a football game. This photo taken in the Alumni Center. Host mom Tina R. from Texas … [Read more...]
German Exchange Student Enjoys Country Life
AYA high school exchange gives international youth the chance to study abroad in locations across the country. The United States is a large and varied nation with vast contrasts from state to state and region to region. Our students may enjoy a placement in a bustling city or the … [Read more...]
Razan’s Exchange Year: Life in Two States
Razan, a YES student from Kuwait, was fortunate to live in two states for a whirlwind of adventure during her time in the U.S. First, she was a student living in Texas. Next, she moved with her host family to New York. Razan enjoyed her experiences so much, and lucky for us, she … [Read more...]