Programs:

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 is sponsored by the American Institute For Foreign Study (AIFS) Foundation, a not-for-profit organization founded in 1967 with the assistance of the late Senator Robert F. Kennedy.

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.

Students live with an American family and spend an exciting year with American teenagers in a U.S. high school.They experience the life of an American teenager. When a person participate, they become a member of an American family. By sharing everyday activities, they come to know what it is like to be an American. Homestay communities selected for the AYA program have schools of excellent academic quality that provide a valuable educational experience. AYA host families are volunteers. They are not paid for hosting AYA foreign exchange students.

Outside of class time, participants 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.

Host families provide participants with a home for the academic year or semester; welcom them as a member of the family and encouraging to participate in all aspects of family life. Host Families provide students with their own bed and place to study, either in a room they share with a family member of the same sex and age range, or their own room, besides it provide with meals (except lunch on school days).

Partner countries: Brazil, Chile, Turkey, Mexico, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Poland, Russia, China, Korea, Thailand, South Africa