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Looking Back on 2018: Moroccan Exchange Student Calls International Education “Life-Changing”

December 20, 2018 AYA Leave a Comment

Haytam Teaches Class About Moroccan Culture During International Education Week 2018 | Academic Year in America (AYA)

While 2018 was filled with many exciting firsts for Academic Year in America (AYA) exchange students, some of the best moments were spent teaching others about international education. With 2019 around the corner, AYA exchange students look back on a monumental year. Of all … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories Academic Year in America, AYA, cultural exchange, exchange students, host family, international education, international students, why hosting matters, YES Program, YES student

5 Different Holiday Traditions Celebrated Around the World

December 20, 2018 AYA Leave a Comment

5 Holiday Traditions Around the World | Academic Year in America (AYA)

Just as every family has their own holiday traditions, each country and culture around the world has its own unique way of celebrating. Here at Academic Year in America (AYA), our exchange students come from over 50 different countries. Our host families often find that … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories Academic Year in America, albania, AYA, brazil, china, cultural exchange, exchange students, holiday traditions, holidays, host family, italy, poland, why hosting matters, YES Program

Giving Back to the Community Helps Ohio Exchange Students Overcome Culture Shock

December 10, 2018 AYA 1 Comment

Giving Back to the Community Helps Ohio Exchange Students Overcome Culture Shock | Academic Year in America (AYA)

While so far from home, culture shock is inevitable for many international exchange students. However, by getting involved in their communities, Academic Year in America (AYA) exchange students overcome culture shock as they start to feel at home. Regenia, a Local Coordinator … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories, Volunteerism Stories Academic Year in America, AYA, community, cultural exchange, exchange students, FLEX Program, international high school students, local coordinator, ohio, why hosting matters, Why volunteer, YES Program

Exchange Student from Indonesia Shares “Thankful List” this Holiday Season

December 6, 2018 AYA 1 Comment

Exchange Student from Indonesia Shares “Thankful List” this Holiday Season | Academic Year in America (AYA)

Often, the holiday season is filled with friends, family, and giving thanks. This year, Surya, an Academic Year in America (AYA) and YES Program exchange student from Indonesia, is thankful for many things – big and small. Paying tribute to the many life-changing experiences … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories Academic Year in America, AYA, cultural exchange, exchange students, holiday, Indonesia, why hosting matters, YES Program

AYA Alumni Emphasize Importance of International Education: IEW 2018

November 14, 2018 AYA Leave a Comment

AYA Alumni Emphasize Importance of International Education: IEW 2018

Every year, the Academic Year in America (AYA) community looks forward to International Education Week (IEW). That’s because IEW is an exciting, weeklong celebration of the amazing benefits of international education. Though IEW is only a week long, members of the AYA community … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories Academic Year in America, armenia, cultural exchange, FLEX Program, high school international exchange, international education, pakistan, tunisia, YES Program

From Root Beer to Baseball: 3 Surprising “Firsts” for Exchange Students in the USA

October 5, 2018 AYA Leave a Comment

From Root Beer to Baseball: 3 Surprising “Firsts” for Exchange Students in the USA | Academic Year in America (AYA)

Sometimes the (seemingly) simple things in life leave the biggest impressions. For Academic Year in America (AYA) exchange students, life in the United States has been filled with many new things – both big and small. While many of their day-to-day experiences here have been … [Read more...]

Exchange Student Stories #weareaya, Academic Year in America, AYA, cultural exchange, exchange students, international education, italy, south africa, tunisia, YES Program

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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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