Aya's Take on Yellow School Buses, the YES Program, & the Host Family Bond

In this episode, host Kelsey Ross speaks to Aya, an exchange student from Morocco who came to the United States thanks to the YES Scholarship. Aya shares with us what life has been like for her on exchange, how she continued her love of gymnastics while in the U.S., how she created deep connections with her host family and school community, and why she dreamed of going to school in a big yellow school bus.

Read about Aya in the Washington Post: 
⁠https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/02/04/winter-sports-notes-high-school/⁠

Follow Aya on Instagram: @yundouo_07

For more info on YFU USA: ⁠⁠https://yfuusa.org/⁠

Chapters
00:00 - Meet Aya: From Morocco to Virginia
00:58 - The Yellow School Bus Dream & The Simpsons
03:19 - Preparing for Exchange and Convincing Her Parents
06:07 - Growth, Confidence, and Cultural Immersion
09:01 - YES Program and the Application Journey
14:09 - First Impressions and Adjusting to Life in the U.S.
17:02 - Finding Joy at School and in Sports
19:00 - Deep Bonds with Host Family
21:42 - Creative Passions and Social Media Takeover
23:38 - Cultural Differences and Communication Styles
25:52 - Building a Family Connection
30:52 - Making Friends and Finding Belonging
33:41 - Education Differences and Favorite Class
39:00 - Sharing Moroccan Culture at School
40:57 - Favorite Foods and Core Memories
42:32 - What’s Next and Advice for Future Students
Host & Producer: Kelsey Ross
Editor & Producer: Mel Dyjak
Director: Megan Michels

Видео Aya's Take on Yellow School Buses, the YES Program, & the Host Family Bond канала YFU USA