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A Journey of Two Host Sisters: Lea & Giulia’s Story

July 14, 2015 AYA Leave a Comment

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Lea from Germany and Giulia from Italy are two international students who spent their academic year in the Pacific Northwest with the Heath family along with their two dogs and two cats. Needless to say it was a full house for these two host sisters. Lea and Giulia shared with us … [Read more...]

Students host family, host sibling, why host

Why Hosting Matters: A Host Dad’s Reflection

July 9, 2015 AYA Leave a Comment

academic year in america host family

All our students have returned to their home countries and natural families. It's been a great year for all our AYA students and they have taken home great memories of their year in America with them. For many host families this is a time of reflection of the year past. Host … [Read more...]

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Host Family of the Year 2015!

June 30, 2015 AYA Leave a Comment

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Each year Academic Year in America asks students and Local Coordinators across the U.S. to nominate host families for AYA's Host Family of the Year. We ask them to nominate their family based on hospitality, caring, dedication to cultural exchange, and overall willingness to … [Read more...]

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Hosting with AYA: Through the Eyes of a Local Coordinator

June 25, 2015 AYA Leave a Comment

Regenia is a Local Coordinator and host mom with AYA. She has been a part of the program and advocate since 2012. As a Local Coordinator she is always finding new ways to share with her community the benefits of bringing the world together through hosting an international … [Read more...]

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AYA Host Father Shares Life-Changing Experience

June 16, 2015 AYA Leave a Comment

academic year in america cultural exchange host family

Leroy, a host father from South Carolina advises: If you want to liven up and enrich your home, host an exchange student. He and his family in South Carolina welcomed a student for the spring semester from Malaysia and then another from Indonesia in the fall. He … [Read more...]

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AYA Student Reflection: “I Have Lifelong Friendships and Friends Across the World”

June 12, 2015 AYA Leave a Comment

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For many students the exchange experience changes their lives forever, introducing them to new cultures, new friends and new adventures. Roman, an AYA student from Germany, shares with us how impactful his academic year has been and why it was so worthwhile. My name is … [Read more...]

Students exchange year, reflection, why host

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About AYA

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AYA is sponsored by the American Institute For Foreign Study (AIFS) Foundation, a not-for-profit organization founded in 1967. Its mission is to promote worldwide understanding through cultural exchange. Learn more >

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