About Us
Since 1980, AYUSA Global Youth Exchange has been a leader in providing a wide range of life-changing cultural exchange experiences. AYUSA today maintains a proud legacy of offering high-quality programs for high school students. Our vision is a future where nations and people recognize their similarities and have an acceptance of differences.
It is of vital importance, in an increasingly globalized world, that we continue to create and maintain programs that cultivate leadership skills and global knowledge. The exchange experience not only provides a perspective on a student’s own culture, but gives them a more profound understanding of their important role in the global community. Out of their comfort zone, a student’s character is enhanced, their confidence expanded, and ultimately they embrace their potential as a future leader in the world. AYUSA’s programs cater to a variety of participants while sharing the common mission of creating the next generation of global leaders and world citizens.
Welcoming an exchange student in your home has the power to not only impact your family, but has a wider reach to change attitudes and perspectives on a global scale. By actively engaging in community service, our students understand the importance of giving back and have a greater appreciation for their host community. Our mission is being realized each day as students have authentic interactions with the people they encounter in their daily lives. Whether neighbors, teachers, or friends, these connections have the power to change the worldview of the student and those in their community.
All of our participants – students, host families, schools, and staff – emerge from the exchange experience uniquely adept to thrive in an ever-changing world. Having seen themselves transformed, they move forward empowered to change the world around them by embracing tolerance, accepting diversity, and promoting cultural understanding. Through our work – welcoming students to the United States, sending Americans abroad and facilitating short-term leadership programs for high school students – AYUSA continues to be poised to have a lasting impact on future generations of world citizens and the communities in which they live.
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Sherry B. Carpenter
Executive Director
AYUSA Global Youth Exchange
