Updates to Sponsored Programs Hosted Student Departures

Please find 2021-2022 (NH21 and SH22) AFS-USA hosted CBYX, FLEX, and YES departures listed below. All details and dates listed below are subject to change.

Please note that as per ECA policy, year-end activities (such as prom, graduation, important host family events, etc.) are not considered when assigning return flight dates and the student must return to their home country on the assigned travel date at the end of the program. Additionally, the U.S. visa will not be amended or extended beyond the program end date. No exceptions will be made.

Per AFS policy, travel must be completed at least one week prior to departure from the host community.

2021-2022 (NH21) AFS-USA hosted CBYX Participant Departures:

AFS-USA hosted German CBYX participants will have a different program conclusion experience and procedure than in prior years:

• CBYX participants will depart the U.S. on June 20, 2022, a flagship program return travel date.
• CBYX participants will not have a CBYX-specific in-person orientation in Washington, D.C. or elsewhere. Instead, all CBYX participants should attend their local Area Team End of Stay Orientation activities.
  • Additionally, the German CBYX participants will also be provided a supplementary virtual CBYX-specific program conclusion event by Sponsored Programs staff.
• Kindly reach the CBYX staff at AFS-USA with any questions or concerns: cbyx@afsusa.org or 646-751-2161.
• For information about End-of-Stay Orientations and Departures, please see this page: https://myafshelp.afsusa.org/hc/en-us/articles/115002678548-Plan-Hosted-Student-End-of-Stay-and-Departures

Please see below updates on FLEX and YES Students Departure dates: 

End-of-Stay Orientation Cancellation: 

• There will be no in-person program end-of-stay events for FLEX or YES this summer. Instead, all FLEX and YES students will arrive at their international gateway departure airport the day before their international departures.  
• There may be an exception for some students who are hosted on the West Coast, who may need to start their travels the evening before, which would be 2 days before international travel. 

COVID Testing: 

• We will provide details about COVID testing needs in advance of departures so that all students, host families, and volunteers are aware of the requirements.  

Travel Stipend: 

• Students will be provided with an extra $80 in their last stipend. This travel stipend should be used to cover the luggage fees incurred at your local airport, as well as any meals during your domestic travel. It should not be used to cover overweight luggage fees. May departure students will receive their travel stipend combined with their April/May check, and June departure students will receive their stipend combined with their June check.

Please note that as per ECA policy, year-end activities (such as prom, graduation, important host family events, etc.) are not considered when assigning return flight dates and the student must return to their home country on the assigned travel date at the end of the program. Additionally, the U.S. visa will not be amended or extended beyond the program end date.  

All details and dates listed below are subject to change. 

2021-2022 (NH21) AFS-USA hosted FLEX Participant Departures: 

AFS-USA hosted FLEX participants will return home from approximately May 11-June 21, 2022 (subject to change). On February 9, 2022, AFS-hosted FLEX students and their host families were notified directly of their assigned departure dates. Volunteers will be notified of the final travel dates on Monday, February 14, 2022. Kindly contact the FLEX staff at AFS-USA with any questions or concerns: mkeating@afsusa.org  

2021-2022 (NH21 + SH22) AFS-USA hosted YES Participant Departures: 

Please be advised that some YES students from the countries indicated by the asterisk (*) in the chart below are departing in May due to testing schedules back in their home country. If any students are departing on a date different than what is listed here, they will be directly contacted by the SP Department. 

Last edited: March 31st, 2022