Please note that this message is internal and for reference by AFS-USA Volunteers regarding the CBYX 2021-22 program.
AFS-USA informed American CBYX participants this morning (April 30) that the U.S. Department of State, together with the German Bundestag, have confirmed that the 2021-22 CBYX program for both American and German participants will proceed in-person, beginning in August 2021. German participants will be similarly informed of this decision.
In their decision to conduct the program in-person, the U.S. Department of State and German Bundestag cited the positive trends in public health measures to effectively contain and combat COVID-19. Kindly find an excerpt from the U.S. Department of State’s message to American participants copied below.
| We are writing to follow-up on our message from March 15 with the exciting news that the U.S. Department of State and German Bundestag have jointly decided to conduct the program in-person, given continued improvement in the health situation in Germany and the United States in the coming months.
We have come to this decision based on positive trends in public health measures to effectively containing and combating COVID-19. The CBYX program may look a bit different than in past years (for example, we may not hold any group welcome events and/or in-person group language camps). However, despite the changes that will be required due to the pandemic, we anticipate that CBYX participants will be able to have transformative experiences this coming academic year. Please be aware that the situation remains in flux. Between now and your anticipated departure date the situation could change. It is still possible that something will come up to alter our ability to conduct an in-person program. CBYX participants will need to remain flexible as we move forward. |
The health and safety of participants is everyone’s number one priority. CBYX staff at AFS-USA, AFS Germany, the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Embassy in Berlin, and the German Bundestag are monitoring the COVID-19 situation in the U.S., Germany, and around the world. We are additionally carefully monitoring the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for information specific to COVID-19, and to travel. All AFS participants are provided with COVID-19 and country-specific information and resources prior to international departure and will be reminded to follow CDC protocols for avoiding exposure to illness, including everyday preventative actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases.
We’d like to thank all of our volunteers who assisted in recruiting, selecting, and placing our American CBYX 2021-22 cohort, as well as those who are working to place our German participants. We look forward to continuing our work together this upcoming academic year! If you have any questions, or if you receive any questions from participants, please reach out to Jon, Jess, and Allen, your CBYX program staff at AFSUSA at CBYX@afsusa.org or 646-751-2161.
With our appreciation and warm regards,
Jon and Allen
Jon Meyer, CBYX Specialist
Allen Evans, Manager, Outbound Sponsored Programs