Academic Year In America

Each year, more than a thousand students from 35 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 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.

You live with an American family and spend an exciting year with American teenagers in a U.S. high school. You experience the life of an American teenager. You become a member of an American family. By sharing everyday activities you come to know what it is like to be American.

Academic Year in America has made these experiences possible for two decades. It 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 visitor visa for the duration of the program.

"One of my host brothers was my age, so he introduced me to a lot of people. That helped a lot. I wasn't by myself anymore. I was lucky to get on the tennis team at my high school—a lot of fun and where I met a lot more people. My host family gave me a lot of opportunities to do things, such as going to a fitness center, teaching me how to play golf and how to water ski." Chris

Study in the USA

Experience life in the U.S.A. as an AYA foreign exchange student!

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.

Why should you become an AYA student?

• You live with an American family and spend an exciting year with American teenagers in a U.S. high school.
• You experience the life of an American teenager.
• You become a member of an American family.
• By sharing everyday activities, you come to know what it is like to be an American.

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.

Your American High School

Homestay communities selected for the Academic Year in America program have schools of excellent academic quality that provide a valuable educational experience.

American schools offer an "interdisciplinary" approach to education, which means that students take a variety of courses in language, history, geography, literature and science. Extra curricular activities are also considered a big part of the learning process and students are encouraged to participate in these. AYA provides copies of your transcripts to your school before you arrive. When finished, you can receive an official transcript listing courses you took and the grades you received.

You have your own schedule of classes based on your educational objectives and considering courses you have already completed. Courses are offered at varying levels of proficiency. Your high school guidance counselor will help to ensure that you are placed at the proper level. School sizes vary from very small to very large, each offering a unique learning opportunity for students. Since school systems vary from country to country, you may not always be placed with students your own age in every class.

Academic Year in America students are expected to carry full course loads and participate in school as any American student. Schools operate on various academic schedules, and course lengths may vary. Examples of some schedules are semester, block system, trimester and full year. With Academic Year in America, you visit America for an entire school year (10 months) or a semester (five months).

Extracurricular activities

Outside of class time, you can choose from a wide variety of sports, recreation and club activities. Options range from sports teams to cheerleading, bands, choral groups, school newspapers, yearbooks and community service organizations. Many special interest clubs allow you to expand on your studies in area such as drama, science, debate and music.

AYA students, like American students, are responsible for school fees and expenses. Program participants must bring money for expenses such as science laboratory fees, school transcripts, school sport and activity tickets, school-sponsored trips, book fees, yearbooks and other occasional out-of-pocket costs.

The most rewarding part of your exchange program is the warm, long lasting friendships that you will make with your classmates and family.

Your Classes

AYA monitors your school performance and quarterly grades. You are subject to the same academic and social rules as American students in the school. Teachers and guidance counselors are asked to contact your AYA Local Coordinator and host family immediately if problems arise.

To remain in good standing in the program, a student must enroll in an appropriate English language or literature course and an American Studies course, and maintain a "C" or better average in all classes.

Sample class schedule

Course Hours per week

• English language/literature* = 5
• Physical sciences = 5
• Math (algebra, geometry, trigonometry) = 5
• History/social sciences* = 5
• Physical education (sports) = 5
• Electives (music, career skills) = 5

* AYA requires its students to take at least four academic subjects, always including an English language/literature course and an American history/government course.

Transcripts

Students must request transcripts before they leave the United States. In some cases, schools may award you a certificate of attendance, or a diploma if you have completed all the necessary courses for graduation (and if they decide to accept courses you took in your home country school toward your diploma). The AYA program cannot guarantee diplomas or graduation.

Your American Host Family

AYA host families are volunteers. They are not paid for hosting AYA foreign exchange students.

AYA carefully selects host families based on their desire to host a visiting student and ability to provide a safe, comfortable home and positive cultural experience for you in the United States. People of all ages and from all walks of life volunteer to serve as host families. Grandparents, families with younger children, single-parent families and traditional two-parent families have all hosted successfully.

Host families are located all across the U.S., primarily in smaller towns and rural areas. You may live in a home in a suburban community or a farmhouse out in the country. There is no "typical" host family. You could be within walking distance of your high school or you may need to take a bus to school daily. Students may not request where in the U.S. they would like to be placed and may not change host families because they do not like the area in which they are living. As you will learn, America's communities are as diverse as its people.

Your host family will expect you to join in family activities. They will expect you to share the privileges and responsibilities of being a family member – as if you were a natural son or daughter. This includes doing your share of chores around the house.

Your host family will want to learn about your country and will want to help you understand life in America. They will be eager to answer your questions and explain things to you when you don't understand. Above all, they want to open their hearts and share their homes with you, their new "son" or "daughter."

Host families are responsible for;

• Providing you with a home for the academic year or semester.
• Welcoming you as a member of the family and encouraging you to participate in all aspects of family life.
• Providing you with your own bed and place to study, either in a room you share with a family member of the same sex and age range, or your own room
• Providing you with meals (except lunch on school days).
• Encouraging the exchange of ideas and providing you with exposure to the cultural and social environment of the home and neighborhood.
• Providing the love and understanding a young person needs to enjoy a successful stay in America.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I choose the AYA program?

Simply, our standards are very high. We select participants carefully. Our Local Coordinators are well trained, and the expertise of our national office spans more than 20 years. AYA is the program of choice for those who want to enjoy the best possible international experience.

How does the program support me throughout the year?

Local Coordinators live near you and are always there for you. They are available throughout the program year for advice and support. In addition, the AYA national office has a toll-free line available 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

What are a host family's qualifications?

The most important qualifications are an open mind and an interest in new experiences.

How will I benefit from the program?

You will learn about another culture firsthand. You will discover another way of looking at your world and the world at large. You will make life-long friends.

Who are AYA Local Coordinators?

They are women and men who enjoy working with young people, who are open-minded and sensitive and who believe deeply in the value of cross-cultural exchange.