All host families are volunteers in the AYA program. In keeping with the diplomacy goals of people-to-people exchanges, the U.S. Department of State’s Code of Federal Regulations (CFR 62.25) prohibits the compensation of host families for J-1 exchange students. The goal of the program is to have a pure cultural exchange, for the student to become a member of the family and participate fully in family activities and celebrations. The true cultural exchange and immersion are some of the best benefits of hosting an AYA student versus a student who pays the host family for room and board.
Whenever people ask me “how is your host family?” I always had countless things emerge in my mind because they do thousands of things for me. I remember that one winter night I spent the night at my friend's house. At 10 o'clock in the evening, my mum and dad came over just to give me an extra blanket just in case I won't get cold. That's maybe just a little thing but it in my heart forever.
—Yang from ChinaTo encourage and inspire young people to become considerate and forward thinking citizens of the world, by creating dynamic educational opportunities to share beliefs, ideologies and values across cultures – and to provide these experiences with an unrivaled commitment to the safety of our students and service to our participants.
