About Our Exchange Students
Who are AYA Students?
Every year, AYA welcomes bright, adventurous high school students from around the world into the homes of American families. These young people come eager to share their traditions, experience everyday life in the U.S., and form bonds that can grow to feel like family. Along the way, they also bring fresh perspectives to classrooms and neighborhoods—sparking curiosity, friendship, and cultural enrichment in communities across the country.
- 15 – 18 years old
- Strong academic records
- 3+ years of English study
- Maturity and commitment to cultural exchange
Our Screening Process
To make sure a student meets these criteria and is a great fit for the AYA program, we conduct a thorough vetting and application process. This not only confirms their readiness but also helps us get to know their personality, interests, and background.
Prospective exchange students must submit the following items for review by the AYA team:
Where Do AYA Exchange Students Come From?
With the help of our trusted network of overseas partners, AYA recruits and accepts high school exchange students from over 30 countries! Whether your family is drawn to a particular region, culture, or language, or hopes to connect with a piece of your own heritage, this gives you the opportunity to choose from a wide range of options. AYA students may come from the following countries:
 Armenia |  France |  Moldova |  Sweden |
 Austria |  Germany |  Mongolia |  Switzerland |
 Azerbaijan |  Greece |  Montenegro |  Tajikistan |
 Belgium |  Hungary |  Poland |  Thailand |
 Brazil |  Italy |  Republic of Georgia |  Turkmenistan |
 China |  Kazakhstan |  Romania |  Ukraine |
 Czech Republic |  Kyrgyzstan |  Serbia |  Uzbekistan |
 Ecuador |  Latvia |  Slovakia |
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 Estonia |  Luxembourg |  Spain |
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The FLEX Program
AYA is a designated placement organization for the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) Program. Funded by Congress and administered by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the FLEX Program was created to foster mutual understanding and strengthen international ties between the U.S. and other countries, primarily in Europe and Asia. Think of FLEX exchange students as future ambassadors between the U.S. and their home countries—bright, motivated teens who come eager to share their culture, experience everyday life in the U.S, and return home enthusiastic about offering their perspective of authentic American life.
FLEX students live with American host families, attend high school, and actively engage with their host communities. The program encourages students to share their values, learn about American society, develop leadership skills, and take an active role in community life to break down cultural barriers and help FLEX students grow as future leaders. When they return to their home countries, FLEX students bring these experiences with them, applying their newly developed leadership skills to benefit their communities and connecting with a well-established FLEX network of peers around the world.
Learn more about the FLEX Program by contacting our team.
Let’s Get Social
Connect with AYA on social media to explore cultural exchange stories and get a glimpse into the experiences our exchange students and host families are having.
Meet Our Exchange Students
Hear from our exchange students and gain insight into how you could make an impact, just like their host families did!
