As concerns surrounding COVID-19 impacted our exchange communities throughout 2020, we made the difficult decision to cancel our US program for the fall 2020 semester out of an abundance of caution for the safety of all of our program participants. Throughout 2020, we learned more about COVID-19 by following the guidelines of our state and national health agencies, considering the responses in our local EF communities and monitoring international travel restrictions.

With those factors in mind, we resumed our US high school exchange year program for those students, host families and local coordinators wishing to participate beginning with the spring 2021 semester, successfully ran a program for the 2021-2022 academic year and are currently welcoming our Class of 2023 to the US. We remain committed to the safety and well-being of all program participants and continue to reflect on global, national and local advisories for direction.

Following updates to the entry requirements for travel to the United States, and guidance from the World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that vaccination reduces the risk of serious illness and helps prevent the spread of COVID-19, EF High School Exchange Year now requires students traveling on an exchange be fully vaccinated at the time of departure. This requirement went into effect as of December 1st, 2021.

In addition to preparation from their home offices abroad, students participate in a thorough online preparation program. This preparation includes detailed information about COVID-19 as it pertains to school, host family and community life. Once placements are finalized, we encourage students and host families to connect about the most up to date COVID-19 information for their community.

EF students are expected to comply with all travel regulations from the time they depart their homes until their arrival in their host community. As of December 6, 2021, all travelers aged 18 and above who enter the US are required to be fully vaccinated with an FDA authorized or approved vaccine or a vaccine that has received an emergency use listing from the World Health Organization (WHO). Travelers under the age of 18 who intend to remain in the US beyond 60 days are required to be/become vaccinated against COVID-19. To ensure this can be completed under the supervision of students' parents, EF is requiring that all exchange students be fully vaccinated in advance of their departure in order to participate in the program. Note that a booster is not part of the current requirement.

Once in the US, students are expected to adhere to local and state safety guidelines. EF prepares students to follow mandates and recommendations such as social distancing, enhanced hygiene measures, mask-wearing, quarantining and/or testing.

EF prioritizes the safety of our program participants. We are following US government requirements for air passengers that a non-US citizen entering the United States longer than 60 days will be fully vaccinated. This decision will ensure a smoother exchange experience for students and provide an additional layer of protection to all participants, schools and communities in which we operate.

EF students are expected to comply with all travel regulations from the time they depart their homes until their arrival in their host community. At present, travelers are not required to test prior to travel so long as they meet the vaccination requirements.

Once in their community, students are expected to adhere to local and state safety measures which may include quarantining or negative testing. As these requirements vary by state and community, our host families, local coordinators and EF staff may work collaboratively to identify instances when a test may be necessary or required, and can help in facilitating that process. EF program participants are expected to comply with any COVID-19 mandates. We continue to monitor those developments as they may impact future travel or program start dates.

While students are not required by EF to quarantine upon arrival, they are expected follow all local and state safety guidelines. This may include a mandated quarantine or testing. Student arrivals will continue to be chosen by their host families and local coordinators based on the school start date and any requirements a student may have to meet prior to starting school. Flight dates should be approximately one week before the first day of school unless the school or community requires the student to arrive earlier. The majority of arrivals will begin in mid-July and run for six weeks.

All students joining the program in 2022 must be vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to arriving to their host community. If eligible, students may receive a booster shot for the COVID-19 vaccine after first receiving confirmation with their parent. Should communities, schools or states require a booster shot, further discussion between EF HSEY, students and their parents will be necessary. Please reach out to an EF staff member at 800-447-4273 for any individual circumstances. Note that a booster is not mandated for travel to the US.

One of the most rewarding parts of an exchange year is a student sharing their culture and learning about life in the United States at school. We understand schools have been greatly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and we are working with them to integrate exchange students according to their guidelines. Students are required to participate in EF-sponsored online orientations outlining new expectations around their participation in virtual and in-person class settings. As always, students are expected to follow state, local, and school guidelines.

All students are required to have health insurance to participate in the program and should seek appropriate medical care should they be ill. Any participant, including exchange students, exposed to COVID-19 or with a confirmed case should notify EF and follow the guidance of their local health authorities. The majority of students purchase ERIKA insurance, which works with Aetna Student Health for access to the Aetna network across the country. With ERIKA insurance, students would pay a co-pay for office, urgent care, or emergency room visits as needed or directed. You can read more about coverage here: https://efexchangeyear.org/guide/posts/erika/

Yes, we plan to resume our in-person orientation (Welcome Days) and Camp program for students arriving in the summer of 2022. The safety of our program participants is very important to us, and we are reviewing and enhancing our safety protocols for group events. We will continue to monitor the guidance provided by local and state health officials in order to safely organize our orientation programs.

All EF Welcome Days, EF Camp & EF Discovery Tours participants and staff are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Our host families and international Exchange Coordinators (IECs) are volunteers of the program and as such do not have an EF mandate for the COVID-19 vaccine.