First Day of School with Elisabeth Host Sibs-Mom

Refer a Host Family

Share the Joy of Cultural Exchange
AYA Background

Share the Joy of Cultural Exchange

Referrals are at the heart of the AYA program—they help more people discover the joy of hosting a high school exchange student and open the door for international students to experience life in the U.S.

Anyone can refer a host family to our exchange program—you don’t need to be hosting yourself!

Refer a Host Family
AYA - Who Can You Refer?

Who Can You Refer?

Great host families come from all walks of life, and you probably know someone who would be perfect!

You can refer:

  • Friends
  • Family
  • Neighbors
  • School Staff & Teachers
  • Colleagues
  • Community or Faith Group Members

Your network is full of potential host families!

Families of all kinds are welcome to host an exchange student: parents with or without children, single adults, retirees, and couples of every background, and more. What matters most is providing a safe, supportive home and genuine interest in cultural exchange.

To qualify, host families must meet the following baseline criteria:

  • Be 25 years of age or older
  • Live within an AYA Local Coordinator’s service area
  • Provide room, board, and three nutritious meals per day*
  • Ensure transportation to and from school (including use of school buses, when available)

*Host families provide three daily meals. Students who choose to purchase a hot lunch at school do so at their own expense.

Every host family completes AYA’s screening and approval process to ensure the best experience for both families and students.

Learn More

Rewards & Incentives

Do you know a person or family who may be interested and eligible to host an exchange student? Successful referrals allow you to help others discover the joy of cultural exchange!

Refer a New Host Family to AYA & Receive $100!

In addition to a financial incentive for successful placements, referrals come with an intrinsic reward. It’s the feeling you get knowing you helped a family in your community sign up for an incredibly enriching experience—all while making an international high school student’s dream of coming to the U.S. 
come true.

Refer Now

Refer a New Local Coordinator to AYA & Receive $250!

We also encourage (and reward) Local Coordinator (LC) referrals. LCs are vital members of the AYA community who provide local support to host families and exchange students—guiding them through every step of their journey to ensure the best experiences possible.

Learn More About LCs

How the Referral Process Works

Referring someone to host an exchange student is quick and easy:

STEP 1

Fill out a short referral form.

STEP 2

AYA connects with your referral.

STEP 3

Once they’re approved and welcome a student, you receive your reward.

Refer a Host Family

Provide your friend’s contact information below, and we will send them information about how they can get involved with Academic Year in America. All active Local Coordinators must submit referrals through their LC Portal.

Your Information



Your Friend’s Information

Please send my friend information about: *

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*All active Local Coordinators must submit referrals through their LC Portal. A referral bonus is provided only for new LC referrals — host family referrals are not eligible for payment.

*Local Coordinator referral payments are issued for new Local Coordinators only, not an existing Local Coordinator who is already a part of the AYA community. The referred Local Coordinators must place a student prior to the payment being issued.

*Host Family referral payments are issued only for new host families, not a family who is already a part of the AYA community. Referral incentives are paid in September, after students have arrived in the U.S.

Have Questions?

Contact us or call us at 203-399-5070.