| Dear AFS-USA High School Partners,
First, please know that all of us at AFS-USA are deeply appreciative of all that you are doing to ensure students are kept safe and healthy during this unprecedented time of tremendous challenges. At AFS-USA, our board, staff, volunteers, and partners around the world are also doing our very best to navigate this ever-changing situation. As you may know, there are close to 2,000 international students hosted by AFS-USA in the United States—all of whom have been given the life-changing opportunity to live with host families and attend school in the US, thanks to you.
AFS International, the governing body of 50+ AFS organizations worldwide, has made the decision to shorten the duration of the program and return students to their families. However, we have a staggered plan to return students that will require weeks to implement and is based on many factors, including travel availability. It may be difficult for the students or AFS volunteers to connect with schools before their departure, given some students may have to travel with short notice, and because so many schools are closed.
While AFS Exchange Students remain in the US, we would appreciate your including our students in any online coursework until they are able to return home.
We know that you are already navigating a complex situation with school closures and ensuring that students have meals, safe conditions, and quality remote learning options. When our students reach out to you for a transcript, whether that be before they travel or after, we would appreciate your assistance in providing this to them.
We sincerely thank you for welcoming an AFS exchange student into your school this year. Our Exchange Students in the US are unbelievably sad to see their programs shortened. Your school has left an indelible mark on their hearts and helped them to become the kind of global citizens the world needs now, more than ever. We will continue to support your school community in your global mission and with your intercultural learning needs in the future.
AFS programs will continue in the upcoming school year. We will be in touch with you in the coming months to offer resources to your staff, to request a place in your school for new students, and to offer scholarships to help your students have a life-changing experience abroad! We sincerely hope you will say yes to AFS again!
We wish you well in the days and weeks ahead. Please reach out to us directly if there is anything we can do to help you at president@afsusa.org. |
