While AFS staff remain focused on helping all students get home, we know that many volunteers are ready to start planning ahead.
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.
Regarding the return of the students to Italy, it is important to note that AFS Italy (Intercultura) has been working closely with the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the network of the Italian Embassies and Consulates abroad. AFS-USA has been advised by AFS Italy (Intercultura) that these institutions support the return of the students to their home countries, due to the fact that no one can predict how the situation will evolve in the local community where the students are currently hosted.
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.
Beginning Tuesday March 31st, National Pre-Return Orientation Webinars will be offered every Tuesday from 2-4pm EST. Read on for information on how to register your students.
Please help us in talking about COVID-19 and AFS using the same language.
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.
We are extending the Visual Storyteller Scholarship deadline to Monday, March 30th 2020.
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.