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Bring the World
to Your Home....

Host an International Exchange Student

Celebrating over 40 years of bringing the world together

Students from
over 45 countries

Build a Bridge with Another Culture

Get Started Today!

Meet Our AYA Students!

Get Started Today!

Refer a Friend!

Refer a New Host Family
and earn $100

Learn How!

Host an International Exchange Student!

Welcome a high school exchange student into your heart and home! Join the thousands of caring volunteer host families across the United States who are rewarded with an amazing cultural exchange experience and lifelong global friendships.

  • Host for a semester, full school year, or a brief welcome period.
  • Choose the carefully screened student that you will host.
  • Students from over 45 countries with their own health insurance and spending money.
  • Local Coordinators who live in your community to provide support for each student and family.
  • Dedicated and professional team available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Meet Our Students!

We are excited that you are interested in taking the first step to hosting a foreign exchange student in your home. Please register with AYA to read student profiles and to learn more.

You Can Make a Difference!

Academic Year in America has brought more than 30,000 international students to the U.S. since 1981. Become a part of this unique experience today!

Watch this video for an overview on becoming a host family with Academic Year in America.

Hear from a first-time host family about their experience hosting Lotte, a high school exchange student from Germany.





elderly couple with student

Refer a Family

Earn $100 for referring a family who would enjoy getting involved with Academic Year in America!

“By hosting an exchange student, it has given me the power to help with bridging the gap between our culture and others. It may seem small, but it has taught me that even just one person can make a difference.”
-Host Family

Get Involved

Become an AYA Local Coordinator and foster a positive relationship with our international neighbors.

Begin an exciting opportunity for intercultural exchange
that will warm your heart and home

 

 

 

Learning About Others

"Hosting an exchange student has been a wonderful way to teach our children about the diversity of our world." —AYA Host Family

 

 

 

 

Bridging Cultures

"We have had so much fun hosting exchange students in our home. Each student comes with unique qualities and so much to teach of us of their culture." —AYA Host Family

 

 

 

 

EXCITING ADVENTURES

"Our students have brought so much joy to our lives – we have fun sharing daily activities and holidays with them. Every year I get Mother's Day cards from my sons and daughters around the world." —AYA Host Family

 

Questions?

Contact Academic Year in America Today!
  • Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study
  • Future Leaders Exchange
  • Alliance for International Education and Cultural Exchange
  • CSIET - Council for Standards on International Educational Travel

Academic Year in America is a program of the AIFS Foundation, an independent, not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) tax exempt public charity. All contents copyright © AIFS Foundation.