As concerns surrounding COVID-19 impacted our exchange communities throughout 2020, we made the difficult decision to cancel our US programs 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 and welcomed students for the spring 2021 semester and look forward to welcoming the Class of ’22 this summer. We remain committed to the safety and well-being of all program participants and continue to evaluate the COVID-19 presence in exchange.

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 placement community. As of January 2021, all travelers entering the US are required to have a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours, or documentation of recovery, in hand regardless of a vaccination. 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 are 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 Exemption, students may travel regardless of their country of origin. However, they must still meet eligibility requirements for entry to the US, which currently includes obtaining a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of their arrival.

Requirements around testing for international travel currently sits with the US and international governments and various travel agencies, including airlines. As of January 26, 2021, all international travelers to the US must provide documentation of a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of their flight or proof of recovery from the virus. 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.

As of April 2021, US states continue to expand the eligibility, availability and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines to residents. This includes some states who have made age-approved vaccines available to those 16+ in their communities, and vaccines remain optional for all. EF continues to monitor the availability and expectations around vaccines from a national, state and school perspective in anticipation of student travel this summer. At the time of this update, there are no requirements for the COVID-19 vaccines, and the eligibility for students to receive the vaccine while in the US varies by community availability and state distribution guidelines.

Currently, eligibility and availability of a COVID-19 vaccine varies by country, state and community. Some program participants are under the age of 16 and therefore are not currently eligible for vaccination in the US. The government of the United States does not currently require students to receive the vaccine for travel, and any student who may be vaccinated prior to arrival must still obtain a negative COVID-19 test or proof of recovery from COVID-19 prior to traveling.

Once in the country, 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 parent approval through our office. 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.

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 15 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 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.