We continue to make steady progress on accomplishing the return of the remaining AFS students still in the US, and as of today, we have just over 100 students awaiting travel. We remain focused on supporting these students and their host families, but today I am pleased to share with you a video message focused on a question we all have on our minds; “Where to now for AFS-USA?”.
Author: Tara Hofmann
I want to thank you, the volunteers of AFS-USA, for being MY inspiration over these very tough past few weeks. The fact that April is Volunteer Appreciation Month could not be more fitting, and please know that you are greatly appreciated!
A message from AFS-USA President to all host students from Thailand and their host families currently hosted in the U.S.
AFS-USA President and CEO Tara Boyce-Hofmann shares a personal message to all returned participants and their parents/guardians to welcome them back to the United States.
We have received confirmation that our international charter flight will be departing on Monday night, March 30th, from Chicago’s O’Hare Airport. This AFS charter flight will include students from Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland.
We previously informed you of our plan to arrange return flights via charter for this Friday, March 27. We have been informed that the flight departure for students from DEN, GER, NED, NOR, SWE, and SUI has been changed to Monday, March 30.
AFS-USA has received a letter intended for all placement organizations from the Department of State in which they have shared their intention to shorten the FLEX and YES programs. They have noted that the Department of State’s goal is to safely transfer all FLEX and YES students home at the earliest opportunity.
We are writing today to inform you that arrangements have been made for students from the following countries to return home this coming Friday, March 27: Denmark, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. Travel is being arranged via a charter flight that will depart from Chicago O’Hare airport to bring students to their home countries.
During the first part of this week, we are focusing on returning students home who are from Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Iceland. There may be additional countries able to depart this week if circumstances change and we will do our best to give you as much notice as possible.
During the last few days, over 200 currently hosted students have already returned home. Thank you to our volunteers, host families, and staff who mobilized so well for this first group of student returns.