Host an Exchange Student with Academic Year in America

www.academicyear.org 1 Ramon and the Stephens Family visiting the Arch in St. Louis, MO Make a Difference By becoming an AYA host family, you and your family can make •• You will be an American ambassador, by giving that young a difference in the life of a teenager while enjoying one of the person the chance to see how Americans live and work; to most rewarding and memorable experiences of your life. Share understand our customs and values. in the world of benefits you receive when you welcome an AYA •• AYA students have full medical insurance and bring money exchange student into your home: for their own expenses and school lunches - host families are •• Hosting is an excellent way to learn about the world, its only responsible for providing students with a home, bed, cultures and customs without leaving home. meals and caring support. •• Hosting creates a lifetime friendship with another person, and •• As a government-designated, non-profit exchange often with another family in a different part of the world. program, AYA host families are eligible to receive a charitable tax deduction. •• Have children? Their facility for learning a language is never greater than when they are young; and their view of the world is shaped strongest at a young age. •• Your choice of student – AYA allows each host family the opportunity to choose a carefully screened student who will best match their family.

1 Academic Year in America 800.322.4678 What is Academic Year in America?

AYA is one of the leading high school/homestay programs in the . Founded in 1981, AYA is well respected by high schools across the U.S. and endorsed by thousands of American host families. AYA is sponsored by the American Institute For Foreign The Goals of the Study (AIFS) Foundation, a not-for-profit organization AYA Program are to: founded in 1967 with the assistance of the late Senator Robert F. Kennedy. Its mission is to promote worldwide •• Encourage the education of young people about understanding through cultural exchange. The foreign cultures and languages by arranging for qualified Foundation awards grants to high schools for projects individuals to live and study in countries different from that encourage intercultural awareness. It also provides their own scholarships that enable young Americans to study and •• Encourage Americans to learn more about foreign countries, travel abroad. cultures and languages

•• Create opportunities for cross-cultural friendships Who are AYA Host Families? •• Increase understanding of the United States, its people, Just as there is no “typical” American family, there is culture and history, among young people all over the world no “typical” host family. Retirees, single parents and •• Provide a solid educational experience for all participants in young couples are all able to give an AYA international the program student a good home. Host families come from diverse backgrounds and represent different generations. They •• Make participants better citizens of their countries through come from all over the United States. Many live in small cross-cultural exchange of ideas towns, while others live in cities; still others live in rural •• Continue to offer programs that are superior from both areas or on farms. Some host families may not have experiential and administrative perspectives children of their own. Host families are united by a desire to know and welcome a young person from abroad AYA is a proud administrator of two U.S. State Department grants: as a “son” or” daughter.” A host family’s commitment the FLEX program, which welcomes students from Eurasia, is altruistic in nature; it is to bring a little more the former states; and the YES program, which understanding to our world. A host family’s responsibility welcomes students to the U.S. from predominantly Muslim is to provide the student with a bed of his or her own, a countries, an effort founded in the wake of September 11. place to study, and meals except for school lunches, but moreover a host family commits to welcoming a new “son” or “daughter” into their family, hearts and home. The U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs office oversees all H.S. exchange programs and can be reached at: Compliance Unit Office of Exchange Coordination and Designation Bureau of Educational and Cultural Exchanges U.S. Department of State 301 4th Street, SW, Room 734 , DC 20547 Fax: 202.203.5087 E-mail: [email protected]

www.academicyear.org 2 Who are AYA Students? Each year, close to 1,000 young people come to the United States accepts only those students who show the maturity and desire for on the Academic Year in America program. They come from 25 this special experience. countries. AYA students are the best young “ambassadors” of their AYA students arrive with their own spending money and countries. They have studied English for at least three years and full medical insurance. They are the best and brightest have solid academic records. AYA students are between the ages representatives of their countries, and they all share a strong of 15 and 181/2. Each student is accepted to the AYA program after desire to become part of an American family. careful review of their application and personal interview. AYA

“Annina, our host daughter, and our daughter, Kim, were like sisters, which was great because Annina didn’t have a real sister back home. We’re going to miss her more than words can say. We feel good knowing that we helped her learn about America, and that she touched so many lives while she was here. I know we’ll keep in touch though, because she’s become part of our family.”

— Russell, AYA Host Father,

AYA Can Match Your Family with a Student from…

Armenia Ghana Luxembourg Azerbaijan Hungary Moldova Tajikistan Chile Indonesia Mozambique Kazakhstan Turkmenistan Kenya Ukraine Kyrgyzstan Saudi Arabia Uzbekistan

3 Academic Year in America 800.322.4678 The AYA Support Network

AYA Local Coordinators AYA has a network of several hundred dedicated Local Coordinators throughout the U.S. Local Coordinators are men and women of all ages —teachers, retirees, professionals, and homemakers. They share a deep belief in the value of cross- cultural exchange. They also receive ongoing instruction and direction from AYA and attend annual training sessions. Local Coordinators serve as community representatives for AYA, finding homes and enrolling AYA students in area high schools. The Local Coordinator is the person that the school, student, and host family can turn to with any questions or concerns. Local Coordinators interview families interested in hosting a student; all family members are requested to be present. The purpose of the interview is to ensure the family understands the responsibilities of hosting, examine the room where the student will sleep and study, and determine if all family members agree to support the experience. To the question, “Would I place my own son or daughter in this family?” the Local Coordinator must answer a resounding “Yes!” “I love the kids and teaching them American culture —watching their Local Coordinator Responsibilities faces in amazement when they experience something new!” •• Screening, interviewing, and selecting host families — Dina, Local Coordinator in •• Providing host families with a pre-arrival orientation •• Local liaison to the high school AYA National Office 24-hour Emergency Coverage •• Supervising and supporting families A dedicated professional staff AYA provides 24-hour service and and students throughout supports students, host families, Local access to our staff via telephone for the program year Coordinators, and schools. The AYA office the convenience of students, host is comprised of a caring, dedicated team families, Local Coordinators, and high •• Sending bi-monthly student of professionals who work long hours to schools. Round the clock coverage reports to the national office, based ensure all involved receive the support includes a program counselor, a toll on monthly student visits and they need and have access to AYA’s free number, and a 24-hour emergency communications with host families comprehensive resources. telephone service. and high schools •• Providing emergency assistance to Contacting AYA: the AYA student, host family and high Toll free: 800.322.HOST (4678) school (should it ever be required)

www.academicyear.org 4 “Jessica was the perfect member of our family. She played with our grandchildren for hours, was a great sister to all three of our daughters—27, 26 and 15 years old—and she played basketball with our 13 year old son. She was my helper in the kitchen and was always baking us a surprise. She was pretty good at playing cards and games, too. She wasn’t just a helper but a great player in the snow! She’d walk, jog or ride bikes with whoever wanted to ride. Now tell me, where could you find a better student? We could have kept her forever. She will be a hard act to follow!”

— Del and Karol, AYA host family,

5 Academic Year in America 800.322.4678 Applying to be an AYA Host Family

Our application process is simple. Just go to www.academicyear.org and follow these two easy steps: •• Register Registering your family with AYA is a quick way to begin your hosting experience. Once you have registered you can begin to read student profiles, and begin your host family application. •• Complete your Host Family Application Packet Once you complete your host family application, you will also be able to view photos of AYA students along with their profile information Once both of these steps have been completed, a Local Coordinator in your area will meet with you and your family to answer any questions you may have about hosting a student. The Local Coordinator will also interview your family, assist you with filling out the necessary forms and help you select your student. It’s that easy! Thousands of families have welcomed international exchange students into their homes and many host year after year. We hope you’ll join us in bringing the world together! Apply Online Today – www.academicyear.org

Contacting AYA

Academic Year in America Toll free: 800.322.HOST (4678) River Plaza Phone: 203.399.5000 9 West Broad Street Fax: 203.399.5593 Stamford, CT 06902-3788 Email: [email protected] Website: www.academicyear.org

www.academicyear.org 6 Academic Year in America River Plaza 9 West Broad Street Stamford, CT 06902 800.322.HOST (4678) www.academicyear.org

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