Each year, more than 800 students from over 40 countries experience America from a unique perspective. They participate in the American Institute For Foreign Study Foundation's Academic Year in America (AYA) program, where they join a caring American family and attend a U.S. high school.
AYA students share their customs and cultures with their American host families and new American friends. In return, they receive a lifetime of treasured memories and friendships and gain a special understanding of America's cultural diversity and the English language.
Academic Year in America has made these experiences possible for over two decades. AYA is sponsored by the American Institute For Foreign Study Foundation, a not-for-profit educational organization founded in 1967. Since the Foundation has been designated by the U.S. Department of State as an Exchange Visitor Program, participants obtain a J-1 Exchange Visa for the duration of the program.
If you are a student interested in a foreign exchange program, Academic Year in America provides high school exchange opportunities for you to live and study as part of an American family. With our organizational strength and ground-level support from our Local Coordinators providing assistance to you, your host family and your community, you can count on a fun, safe and exciting time as you live and study as an international exchange student in the U.S.
When I went the first day to school it was confusing, but mostly I was just amazed by the size of my school...The school even has its own stadium while schools in Germany don't even have their own teams. It was really interesting to experience what I had only seen on TV, actual school pride. Students, and people from town, would come and watch and cheer for the home team. I still learn something new every day and almost everything I do is an adventure.
—Yannick from Germany
