Stories from Academic Year in America

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First Impressions: Sadaf’s Exchange Story

September 18, 2015 AYA Leave a Comment

FLEX Program Academic Year in America Cultural Exchange Kansas High School Exchange Year

Sadaf is an AYA KL-YES exchange student from Pakistan spending her academic year in America in Kansas with the Manzoor family. She recently wrote us to share her exchange experience and how this first month has been full of eye opening experiences. I have been in the US about … [Read more...]

Host Families, Students high school exchange year, why host, YES, YES student

Kick off to 2015: AYA Exchange Stories

September 10, 2015 AYA Leave a Comment

Academic Year in America High School Exchange Year host family study in the US

The 2015 exchange year is underway and our students are experiencing American culture for the first time. Our host families and Local Coordinators across the US are doing a wonderful job making their students feel at home and making it a smooth transition into the academic … [Read more...]

Host Families, Students, Volunteers FLEX, high school exchange year, local coordinator, why host, YES

Meet LC Dina from South Carolina: 11 Years with AYA

August 12, 2015 AYA Leave a Comment

Academic Year in America Become a volunteer Local Coordinator

AYA is proud to have Local Coordinators who have stayed with our program for more than a decade! Are you curious to learn why our LCs stayed with AYA for so long? Meet LC Dina from South Carolina who gave AYA an insider's look intp what it means to be an AYA Local Coordinator. … [Read more...]

Volunteers FLEX, grants program, local coordinator, Why volunteer, YES

YES Student of the Month: Bilal from Pakistan

July 22, 2015 AYA Leave a Comment

YES program YES student of the month Academic Year in America grant student

Each month the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) selects a YES (Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study) student of the month. Academic Year in America has been sponsoring students through the YES program for over 10 years and is very … [Read more...]

Host Families, Students grants program, why host, YES, YES student

Mid-Year Orientation

April 28, 2015 AYA Leave a Comment

The 2015 Mid Year Orientation was a successful and positive experience for all staff, students and local coordinators who participated. In addition to exploring Disney Parks, students greatly enjoyed meeting other exchange students from all over the world. Groups were randomly … [Read more...]

News FLEX, grants program, orientation, YES

A YES Student’s Thanksgiving Story

March 30, 2015 AYA Leave a Comment

academic year in america YES program exchange year cultural exchange

Arooba is an exchange student from Pakistan, participating with AYA through the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study Program (YES). YES students serve as youth ambassadors of the United States, promoting mutual understanding by forming lasting relationships with their host … [Read more...]

Students holidays, YES

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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

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LC of the month

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

We love to recognize our field staff every month by asking … [Read More...]

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