A New Year....A New Group of Students!

Happy 2014! My current students are half way through their stay here in the US, and they couldn't be happier.  One even wants to stay longer while another may return next year.  We all got very lucky, for I have some amazing young ladies living with the best host families a coordinator could ask for!

I cannot believe that the Academic Year in America office is already receiving student applications every day for next school year.  Student profiles are being put on the AYA website daily. So now not only do I have the job of supervising my current students, but I also need to find interested families for the 2014-2015 school year.  

Does your family have a specific interest? Are you skiers? Do you camp a lot? Does your own child horse back ride at a local barn? 

Did you know that you can search for an international student just on their hobby or interest? 

If you have a child that is involved in a very time consuming activity such as dance or horse back riding, I recommend hosting a student that has those same interests.  Makes logistics easier as well as common interests between the children!! 

If you are interested in hosting a student for the 2014-2015 school year or know of a family that might be interested, please contact me.

 jmwebb11@gmail.com 

I can help you search for a student that would be a great match with your family!

Student Update

Happy August, friends!!  It is crazy to think that school will be starting up again, and that our international students are arriving NEXT FRIDAY! The Harrisburg Airport will be welcoming some very excited German girls. 

I am very pleased to say that we were able to find 2 amazing host families for Flurina and Johanna. The girls will be attending Harrisburg Academy this coming school year AND will be playing tennis for the school.  I can't wait to watch them in action.

Remember, it's never too early to start thinking about hosting a student for the 2014-2015 school year.  OR, do you know a family that might be interested in hosting? You can earn $250 for referring a family and if they host.....the money is yours!

Please visit the AYA website, get registered and start looking at student profiles.  Or, just send me an email, and I can answer any questions you may have!  Here is to a successful 2013-2014 school year!

Cheers!
Jackie

Looking for Host Families!

I have TWO amazing young ladies from Germany who have gone through the admissions process and have been accepted to attend Harrisburg Academy for the 2013-2014 school year.  The next step is to find the perfect host families for them!  

Why Should You Host?

Hosting a student from a foreign country will enrich your life! Every year hundreds of American families choose to host a teenager from a foreign country. Why do they do it?

• -To build memories and friendships that will last a lifetime
• -To bring the world into their home and to enrich the lives of family members
• -To share the culture of America with a student from another country
• -To make a difference in the world by showing your student how we live and our customs and values
• -To learn about another culture from your new 'son' or 'daughter'

Please take some time and read a brief bio about the students looking for host families.....

FLURINA-15 years old
Flurina is warm-hearted, eager and helpful. She lives in the middle of the woods with her parents, two younger sisters, their dog and cat. She likes living in close to her grandparents and visits them quite often. She attends a bi-lingual track at school learning many classes in English. She favors Languages and Science classes the most. She is a good student and works hard to achieve her high marks. Apart from school she enjoys playing the piano and recorder along with her sisters who play the saxophone and guitar. They always have a good time performing for their family. She attends ballroom dance lessons one a week and is a member of a cheer dance group as well. She is active in the school's drama group performing Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream. She currently plays volleyball. She has tried tennis and golf, likes to ice skate and alpine ski. Flurina has vacationed in the US with her family many times always going somewhere new. She has found America to be exciting and different every time. Flurina is looking forward to having a memorable time with her new family and thanks them for welcoming her into their home.

JOHANNA-16 years old
Johanna is a happy, friendly girl who loves to laugh.  She lives with her parents and two younger sisters. She often looks after her siblings in her parents' absence. They like to play games, visit museums, hike, go on bike tours and watch movies. Photography is one of her favorite hobbies. During the summer she practices tennis with her best friend. They enjoy cooking and baking together and going to dance school. Johanna is fond of visiting her grandmother who lives near the sea.  Even if the water temperature is cold she always goes swimming while visiting. She loves to swim and holds a certificate in live rescue. In school she prefers languages and is studying English, French, and Latin. Though involved in many outside activities, she is well-organized and always prepared for school. Johanna looks forward to experiencing America culture as a citizen. She wants to participate in school activities, join a swim club if possible and develop new friendships. She hopes to integrate quickly into her new family and their routine, celebrate different holidays and experience a different way of life. She would like to take tennis and join a photography club or class. 

Think Flurina or Johanna may be a good fit for your family? Contact me to begin the application process! You can also visit the AYA website for more information and to begin completing AYA's Online Host Family Application. 

I would appreciate any help spreading the word to other local families about this life changing opportunity.  As always, I am here to answer questions about what your year would be like as a host family. 

Thanks so much!
Jackie

May 2013 AYA eNewsletter

Every month I look forward to the AYA eNewsletter.  I thought I would share the May one with you.  ENJOY!

 

May 2013 AYA Newsletter
Visit Website

ABOUT US

HOST A STUDENT

STUDENT SNAPSHOTS

BECOME A LOCAL COORDINATOR

 

THIS MONTH Country of the Month: Poland Refer a Friend to AYA Celebrating St. Patty's Getting in the Christmas Spirit Featured Photo: Olha from Ukraine Fun Facts: Krakow   QUICK LINKS Visit the AYA Website Host a Student View Student Snapshots Request a Brochure Become a Local Coordinator 2013 National Meeting for LCs: Lisbon, Portugal   CONTACT AYA (800) 322-4678 danielle@aifs.org   SPREAD THE NEWS If you are excited about what you have learned in the AYA newsletter, please share it with your friends. Some of the most successful exchanges occur when friends and neighbors host students simultaneously! It gives you the chance to share experiences and allows you to learn about a variety of cultures. If anyone you know might be interested, please forward us their name and e-mail address so we can put them on our e-mail list. Write to us at danielle@aifs.org to subscribe.

Country of the Month: Poland Located in central Europe, Poland has experienced both great struggle and growth throughout history. After being invaded by Germany and the Soviet Union during World War II, Poland fought to regain their independence and form a structured government. Poland's landscape to the north consists of beautiful beaches along the Baltic Sea, yet changes to snowy mountains as you move south! Warsaw, Poland The capital city of Warsaw is the central location for the Polish Parliament, the Presidential Offices, and the Supreme Court of Poland. It is also home to the Zaluski Library, the world's first public library, which opened in 1747. Learn more about another exciting Polish city! Refer a Friend to AYA Do you know a family who might be interested in hosting an exchange student with AYA? Refer a Host Family and receive $100 if they host a student! Visit www.academicyear.org/refer to start referring! For Questions Contact: Erin Sesil at esesil@aifs.org or 203-399-5085 Celebrating St. Patty's By Patti Knable Local Coordinator, Michigan My students had the opportunity to take part in the local St. Patrick's Day parade! They all made contact with a lot of people along the way, introducing themselves and their countries. The students made posters of each of their countries helped decorate the truck and walked the 1 3/4 miles of the Parade! It was wonderful! Getting in the Christmas Spirit By Kseniya Student, Russia There are four people in my host family besides me - mom, dad, Lena and Gabriel. These people made my exchange year awesome! For my siblings I am a sister and for my host parents I am 'their Russian daughter' starting from the first week. Being honest, a few months I could not call my host parents mom and dad because it is kind of hard to do so since I am not used to calling any other people except my natural parents like that. But after Christmas I cannot call them by their first names anymore! They are my second parents! And no one else! I will remember our Christmas celebration and many other things we did together forever. It was so nice. My family has a great tradition to put funny pajamas on, have hot chocolate and watch movies together on Christmas Eve. So we did! We had so much fun together. And then we opened the presents. That is a true magic spirit of Christmas! Featured Photo: Olha from Ukraine Olha and her host family at "Dickens on the Strand" - an event where all attendees dress in Charles Dickens-era attire! Fun Facts: Krakow The former capital of Poland, Krakow is a very popular city for tourists, students, and businesses. Krakow is home to incredible musuems - holding some of themost famous artwork in the world, as well as over 10 universities and more than 100,000 private businesses! According to an old Polish legend, there once was a dragon that lived in Krakow - in a cave right under the Wawel Castle. Wawel Castle in Krakow, Poland

 

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Are YOU an AYA Host Family?

Wonder if being a host family is for you? Check out AYA's Host Family video!

Contact me today to host a student for the 2013-2014 school year! 

-Jackie

Why Choose AYA?

The Academic Year in America (AYA) Program of the American Institute of Foreign Study (AIFS) Foundation provides an exciting opportunity to engage in cultural exchange.  AYA broadens international horizons by bringing foreign students to the United States to live with American families and attend high school. Although there are other high school exchange organizations, I would like you to know why we believe families should choose AYA.

Why Choose AYA?

• Your choice of student

Unlike some organizations, AYA allows YOU the opportunity to choose a carefully screened student who will best fit your family.

• Lifelong friendships

Build a bridge with another culture and start a lifelong friendship with the student and his/her family. Meet new people in your community: your Local Coordinator, teachers and other Host Families.

• Local representation

AYA maintains a national network of well-trained Local Coordinators (that's ME, Jackie!!), one of whom will be close by to work with you and your student throughout the semester or year.

• National 24/7 support system

Our Host Families, Students and Local Coordinators are backed by professional staff in our Stamford, Connecticut national office. AYA offers a 24-hour hotline and the expertise of our 30 years in intercultural educational exchange.

• Fully insured

AYA provides full medical insurance for every student.

All of this informatin PLUS more can be found on the AYA home page. http://www.academicyear.org/

 

Please contact me to learn more about hosting with Academic Year in America! 

A message from Secretary Clinton

Check out this video from Secretary Clinton encouraging Americans to host international exchange students.

If you are interested in hosting or know someone that might be interested, please contact me!