COVID-19: FAQs and Resources

FAQs: General

• Will the AFS Network and AFS-USA host Exchange Students in the coming academic year?
• Why is AFS-USA hosting students for the 2020-21 school year?
• Will AFS consider the repatriation of all hosted participants in 20-21 because of COVID-19?

FAQs: Health and Safety

• What COVID-19 related expenses are included in the AFS Participant Medical Plan?
• What should we advise a host family if their student gets sick or another member of the host family gets sick?
• What kind of safety guidelines should our students, volunteers, and families adhere to during the year?

FAQs: Placements

• How should I conduct Host Family interviews?
• What is AFS-USA communicating to overseas AFS staff and students?
• What is the status of Core hosting placements?
• What is the status of U.S. Department of State Programs’ CBYX, YES, and FLEX placements?
• What does this mean for you and your team?

FAQs: Travel and Orientations

• When will students arrive this Fall?
• How will students travel to our Team?
• [Updated 7/31] Will students be quarantined upon their arrival in the U.S.?
• When will students return home?
• [Updated 7/31] What is the plan for Arrival Orientation and other Orientations this Year?
• What is the policy around Independent Travel and Natural Family Visits?

FAQs: Support and Compliance

• How should I conduct contacts and visits?
• What if my student needs to move this cycle?
• How will AFS-USA support students once they arrive this year?
• What can we expect schools to look like this year for our participants?
• How can I keep myself safe?

Resources for Connecting Virtually

• Online Meeting Tools