Host families must be at least 25 years old. They must provide a safe home, meals, a bed, a place to study, and a welcoming environment. AYA accepts singles, couples, retirees, and families of all kinds. Learn more. 

No. Hosting an exchange student with AYA is a volunteer opportunity. Students bring spending money and have their own insurance, while families provide housing and meals. Under U.S. Department of State regulations (CFR 62.25), host families cannot be paid to host J-1 exchange students. This ensures a true cultural exchange, where students become part of the family, sharing in daily life and celebrations. Immersion and connection are the greatest rewards of hosting. 

Yes, the tax deduction for the host family is $50 a month for each full month that your exchange student is with you.  

Students typically are placed with a host family for either one semester (about 5 months) or a full school year (about 10 months). Short-term opportunities are also available at the start of a term as a Welcome Family (4 – 8 weeks) while a permanent placement is finalized.

Students must have a permanent bed of their own throughout the program. They may share a room with a host sibling of the same sex and similar age. Students may not share a room with more than one host sibling. 

Yes. Families can review student profiles and choose a student who feels like the best fit. 

AYA exchange students are between 15 and 18 years old.

Host families provide meals, a bed, and a supportive home. Students cover personal expenses like supplies, clothes, entertainment, and have their own medical insurance. 

Yes. AYA welcomes households of all shapes and sizes, with or without children at home. Learn more.

Exchange students become part of your family life, including holidays, vacations, and everyday routines. 

AYA provides support at the local and national level. AYA Local Coordinators provide check-ins, guidance, and support throughout the program. Your Local Coordinator is available anytime for questions or concerns. They check in monthly with both host families and students, submit required reports, and often organize activities to stay connected throughout the year. 24/7 support is also provided from our national office in Stamford, CT. 

AYA offers support to resolve challenges like miscommunications, differences in expectations, or cultural misunderstandings. If needed, a new placement can be arranged.

Your exchange student can either walk, be driven to school by a family member or a friend with a driver’s license, or take the bus. 

No. AYA exchange students are not permitted to drive any type of motor vehicle, or take a driver’s education course.

If you are hosting a fall semester or full year student, you can expect them to arrive in August. If you are hosting a spring semester student, you can expect them to arrive in January.

Apply to host an exchange student by submitting your application online. The application includes biographical information about your household members, family interests, and household rules, as well as a background check release form. You are also asked for two references and to interview with an AYA Local Coordinator. 

After you submit your host family application online, you’ll be paired with an AYA Local Coordinator who visits your home, meets with all household members, and answers your questions about hosting. They’ll check that your home provides a safe and welcoming environment. Our national team will also conduct the background check and reference verification process. Once your family begins the vetting process, your Local Coordinator can help match you with a student (or you can self-select) and works with your local high school on their enrollment. After confirmation, you’ll be able to start building a connection with your new exchange student before they arrive. 

You are in the driver’s seat when it comes to selecting the exchange student you want to host! You can browse student profiles by logging into your AYA account to find a good fit, or work with an AYA Local Coordinator and our national team, who can suggest students that match your family’s interests. Once your match is confirmed, your family can begin building a connection with your exchange student prior to their arrival. 

Yes. Many AYA host families host more than one exchange student at a time. Families can host no more than two students at the same time, and the students must not share a common language. Double-hosting can be a rewarding experience for all involved. 

Yes. Many AYA host families enjoy the experience so much that they continue to host new students year after year, building a large global extended family and memories to last a lifetime.

Hosting an exchange student is a volunteer position that does not require host families to pay a program fee. Host families must cover incidental costs such as meals, but students bring their own spending money for personal expenses. 

No. Students are on a J-1 Exchange Visitor visa which prohibits them from working and earning income during their time in the U.S.

An AYA Local Coordinator will guide you and your family through a host family orientation, which will help you prepare for your exchange student’s arrival. Additionally, we provide every family with a number of online resources; plus, your Local Coordinator and our national team are here to answer any questions you may have! 

There is no minimum salary requirement to host an exchange student. While AYA exchange students come to the U.S. with their own spending money and insurance, host families must provide meals for their students and may need to cover other incidental expenses. AYA considers every aspect of an application before approving a family—this includes confirming a family’s financial ability to host an exchange student. 

No. Due to Department of State regulations, host families that are currently receiving any needs-based government assistance, such as SNAP (food stamps), are not eligible to host an exchange student. 

To apply to become an exchange student with AYA, connect with one of our trusted partners in your home country who can walk you through the process. Learn more.  

AYA only places high school exchange students with host families in the United States of America. 

It is recommended that AYA exchange students have an intermediate level of English. During your exchange year, your English skills will improve due to immersion with your American family, friends, high school, and host community.

Connect with one of our trusted partners in your home country to learn more about program fees. 

Students can elect to participate in an exchange program for one semester (5 months) or one academic year (10 months). 

Yes, a visa is required. AYA high school exchange students come to the U.S. on J-1 cultural exchange visas.

You will be assigned a designated AYA Local Coordinator in your area of the U.S. who will provide support and plan activities throughout your exchange. AYA staff in the national office are also available for emergencies and guidance.

Yes. Exchange students are encouraged to join school activities, sports, and clubs to enrich their experience in the U.S. 

AYA support staff and host families provide guidance and care to help students adjust. Also, you can call or videochat your loved ones during your free time. 

Daily life varies but includes attending classes at an American high school, joining school activities or sports, and becoming part of a host family’s routine. Learn More. 

Exchange students gain cultural understanding, lifelong friendships, and new perspectives on the world. Their international education experience may also help them stand out in future higher education or professional opportunities. 

Schools will place exchange students in classes that they deem to be the best fit based on their transcripts.  

While AYA exchange students can express preferences, they cannot choose where they are placed. Students are placed in welcoming communities across the U.S. Wherever you go, you’ll be able to engage authentically with American culture and attend a high school that meets our high academic standards. 

No, but they will receive a transcript from their U.S. high school for the semester or academic year they attended. 

If an exchange student and host family are not a good match due to challenges like miscommunications, unrealistic expectations, or cultural misunderstandings, AYA offers support to find a resolution. If needed, an exchange student may be placed with a new host family. 

Exchange students are allowed to come for a maximum of one academic year on their J-1 visa. AYA may be able to extend a student’s exchange program once they are in the U.S.; however, it is easier to get an extension approved for students who arrive during first (fall) semester, rather than second (spring) semester. 

If you are currently in the U.S. on our program and would like to extend for a second semester, contact AYA immediately so that we can arrange your extension. 

Yes! Your full transcript with your grades will be transferred back to your home country. However, because your home country may have a different grading system than we have in the U.S., it will be up to your home school to adjust the grade levels accordingly, if needed.  

Local Coordinators recruit host families, place exchange students, liaise with U.S. high schools, and provide support throughout the exchange. Learn more. 

Yes. While Local Coordinators are not full-time employees, they earn placement compensation along with bonuses and incentives.

Local Coordinators must be 25 or older, live in the United States, enjoy working with people, be community-minded, and pass background checks. Learn more. 

Being a Local Coordinator is a flexible, part-time role that you can balance with other commitments. The amount of time you spend for your role will depend largely on how many placements (host families and exchange students) you supervise.

Yes. Much of the Local Coordinator role can be managed from home, with some in-person community engagement.

Apply online, and an AYA staff member will follow up with further details. 

Local Coordinators receive thorough onboarding and training, ongoing mentorship, and 24/7 program support. They also have the opportunity to attend an annual National Meeting, which is held in exciting international destinations and includes professional development and training workshops.

Yes. Many Local Coordinators also host an exchange student to enrich their experience.

Absolutely. Being a Local Coordinator works well for teachers, parents, and others connected to their communities.

Local Coordinators build leadership, cross-cultural, and networking skills while making a meaningful impact.

AYA Local Coordinators provide guidance and local support to host families and exchange students throughout the program, in addition to other key responsibilities, while Host Family Recruiters encourage suitable families to apply to our program. Although Local Coordinators may also refer host families, their involvement goes much deeper. Learn More. 

AYA is a cultural exchange program that connects international high school students with volunteer U.S. host families. Learn more. 

Yes. AYA is a program of the AIFS Foundation, a nonprofit international educational organization founded in 1967. 

Since 1981, AYA has placed tens of thousands of international students with American host families in the United States.

Yes. AYA is a designated sponsor of J-1 exchange programs. 

Students are carefully screened for academic performance, maturity, English language proficiency, and commitment to cultural exchange. Learn more. 

AYA exchange students come from dozens of countries across Europe, Asia, and beyond. Learn More.

AYA provides insurance, background checks, and thorough screening for host families, in addition to ongoing support from our Local Coordinators and national team. 

The J-1 visa program, otherwise known as the Exchange Visitor visa program, is a U.S. Department of State initiative promoting cultural exchange. Exchange participants come to the United States on nonimmigrant J-1 visas. 

By welcoming international exchange students into their communities, American high schools enrich their classrooms with new perspectives and give U.S. students opportunities to broaden their worldviews.

AYA is a boutique exchange program that offers decades of experience, personalized support, and a nonprofit mission. We intentionally accept a limited number of students each year to ensure one-on-one care and attention to detail for every exchange student and host family. 

AYA typically places a few hundred students annually with host families across the U.S.

International organizations or agents who would like to partner with AYA can request information here. Once approved, partners recruit and help prepare qualified students for U.S. high school exchange programs.

AYA partner responsibilities include recruiting and screening students, administering English placement exams, submitting student applications to AYA, reviewing program rules and policies, offering a pre-departure orientation, and liaising with the AYA office and students’ families.

Partners must be established organizations with strong ethical standards, the ability to provide student support, and experience in student recruitment. 

AYA offers training, marketing materials, program guidelines, and ongoing staff support to ensure successful placements. Learn more.

Backed by 40+ years of boutique programmatic experience and the strength of the AIFS Foundation, AYA offers carefully vetted host family placements, personalized support, nationwide networks, dedicated partner resources, 24/7 student care, an engaging student orientation, and enriching programs that make cultural exchange safe, meaningful, and accessible. 

Students must be 15 – 18 years old, demonstrate good academic standing, English proficiency, and maturity for living abroad.

Students are screened through applications, interviews, and references. Partners also provide pre-departure orientations. 

Programs last either one semester (about 5 months) or one academic year (about 10 months). 

Local Coordinators, AYA staff, and partners work together to resolve issues quickly, with 24/7 emergency support available. Partners may be asked to liaise with the exchange student’s family in their home country. 

Contact our team to begin the partner application process and discuss opportunities in your region.

Our team is here to answer any questions you may have about becoming a host family, exchange student, overseas partner, or Local Coordinator. Get in touch.