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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...]

Students Academic Year in America, cultural exchange, exchange year, south carolina, YES Program, YES student

Living Like a Local: Tanzanian Exchange Student Makes Maple Syrup with New York Host Family

April 8, 2019 AYA Leave a Comment

Abdul from Tanzania Makes Maple Syrup With Host Family From New York | Academic Year in America Living Like a Local: Tanzanian Exchange Student Makes Maple Syrup with Host Family in New York | Academic Year in America (AYA)

While in the United States, Academic Year in America (AYA) exchange students learn an array of new and exciting things. Whether they’re joining sports teams, volunteering, or just participating in everyday American customs, exchange students experience plenty of fun firsts while … [Read more...]

Host Families, News, Students Academic Year in America, community, cultural exchange, Exchange Student, host families, kennedy-lugar youth exchange and study, new york, why hosting matters, YES Program, YES student

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 the … [Read more...]

News, Students, Uncategorized Academic Year in America, AYA, cultural exchange, exchange students, host family, international education, international students, why hosting matters, YES Program, YES student

YES Student from Gaza Grateful for Exchange

November 15, 2017 AYA 2 Comments

#IEW2017: YES Student from Palestine Grateful for Exchange

International Education Week (IEW) is such a great way to reflect on all the ways that international education opportunities and exchange programs influence participants and the greater world around us. Karam, a Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (KL-YES) student from Gaza … [Read more...]

Students #iew2017, cultural exchange, department of state, Exchange Student, exchange year, international education, international education week, kennedy-lugar youth exchange and study, palestine, YES student

Life as a High School Exchange Student in the U.S.

October 10, 2017 AYA 4 Comments

home sweet home

Here is a great piece from an AYA exchange student from Pakistan now living with his host family in New York. Korish shares his expectations and the reality he experienced when he came to the U.S. as a high school exchange student. He wanted to share his experience as a thank you … [Read more...]

Host Families, News, Students Academic Year in America, cultural exchange, high school exchange in New York, student stories, YES student

AYA Alumni Letters: Fynn from Germany

August 15, 2017 AYA Leave a Comment

AYA Student Fynn from Germany

Several of last year's AYA students took some time to write letters to the upcoming class of high school exchange students, which we will continue to share throughout the summer months. They wrote about their reflections, advice and best wishes to help next year's group get the … [Read more...]

Host Families, Local Coordinators, Students Academic Year in America, alumni letters, cultural exchange, high school exchange program, international students, YES Program, YES student

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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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Recent Posts

  • Student of the Month: Thore from Germany, Hosted in Arkansas
  • AYA Students in Action: The Results of the Global Youth Trailblazer Grants
  • AYA Exchange Student from Mali Chosen as Prestigious Student Speaker
  • Four Exceptional Host Families: AYA’s 2024-2025 Host Family of the Year Runners-Up 
  • Can Families with Older Children Host an Exchange Student? 

LC of the month

Local Coordinator volunteer academic year in america AYA cultural exchange high school exchange year

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