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 have resumed our US high school exchange year program for those students, host families and local coordinators wishing to participate. We proudly welcomed students for the spring 2021 semester and fall 2021-22 school year. Our eager Class of 2022 students arrived this summer and we remain committed to the safety and well-being of all program participants.

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 November 8, 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). They must also provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test within three calendar days of departure. Travelers under the age of 18 who are not fully vaccinated must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test within one calendar day of departure.

EF is requiring that all exchange students arriving for the spring 2022 semester be fully vaccinated in order to participate in the program. We will continue to review the policies of the US government and local health boards in order to determine our vaccine requirements for students coming in the fall of 2022.

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.

Our students have been eligible to travel to the United States under a National Interest Exemption (NIE) provided by the US Department of State. Students have been issued their DS-2019 form earlier than ever before in order to allow for ample time to schedule their visa interview. While we have encountered additional wait times for appointments or one-off cancellations of appointments, overall, our students have been able to secure an appointment and visa in time for departure.

As part of the National Interest Exception, students may travel regardless of their country of origin. However, they must still meet eligibility requirements for entry to the US, including COVID-19 testing applicable to their age bracket.

Requirements around testing for international travel currently sits with the US and international governments and various travel agencies, including airlines. As of November 8, 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). They must also provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test within three calendar days of departure. Travelers under the age of 18 who are not fully vaccinated must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test within one calendar day of departure.

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.

Exchange students who meet the criteria of their community may choose to be vaccinated with the approval of their parents. As with any vaccination a student may be eligible for while on exchange, no student should receive such treatment without first confirming with their own parent. Should communities, schools or states require a vaccine, 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 students joining the program in spring of 2022 will be vaccinated prior to arriving to their host community.

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/

While the health situation is improving around the globe, and especially in the United States, health officials continue to discourage large gatherings. This is especially true for the EF Camp and Welcome Days programs where students from 13 countries and many different households come together and live in a shared space. For these reasons, in addition to challenges and restrictions around residential programs, group sizes, and quarantine requirements, we have made the decision not to hold in-person orientation programs for the summer of 2021.

All students will complete our mandatory online preparation course to ensure they are set up for success on their exchange, just as if they had attended our in-personal orientation programs. In addition, our EF offices in their home countries will provide online preparation programming for students and their parents in their native language.

Upon the completion of their exchange, all 2021-2022 full year students and January 2022 semester students will have the opportunity to attend a new in-person program during the summer of 2022, called Farewell Days.

Student arrival dates 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.