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COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions
COVID-19 has had a dramatic affect on international student exchange programs, and this has brought about many questions and concerns from our students, host families, area representatives and international partners. We hope that the information provided below will answer your questions. If not, please contact our office at info@arise-usa.org.
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Will ARISE be sponsoring students for the 2021/2022 school year?
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Yes! ARISE is currently accepting applications for the 2021/2022 academic year program. While we expect there to be a smaller number of students applying for the program than in typical years, we are here to help interested students fulfill their goals and assist them in having a safe and enjoyable exchange experience.
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What kind of precautions is ARISE taking in regard to the safety of the students during the pandemic?
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ARISE requires that all students be tested for COVID-19 prior to traveling to the U.S. In addition, students must follow all safety guidelines outlined by the airlines and government agencies, to include wearing masks and social distancing.
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What kind of precautions is ARISE taking in regard to the safety of the host families and area representatives?
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As part of the screening process, ARISE requires that the area representative visit the host family in their home with all family members present. Due to COVID-19, ARISE is temporarily allowing home visits to be conducted virtually rather than in-person. This requires that the host family have the ability to participate in a video meeting with the area representative either via a smartphone or laptop computer. The host family is required to complete an application, provide at least 3 personal references, and all members of the family who are age 18 or above must undergo a criminal background check. The family must also provide photos of their home to include the student's bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, dining room, living area, etc.
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Are the students required to attend classes in person?
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Students will only be placed in schools where the majority of learning is done in the classroom. Some schools have taken a hybrid approach, where students attend school on certain days of the week and participate in online classes on other days. If this is the case, the student must attend both in-person classes and participate in online classes as well. Students are required to follow all of the school's COVID-19 safety guidelines, to include wearing masks and social distancing when possible.
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What if the student becomes sick with COVID-19?
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If the student becomes sick with COVID-19, he/she must stay home and follow the appropriate quarantine protocol. If the student's symptoms are of a serious nature, he/she should receive immediate medical attention.
Will the student's health insurance cover him/her if he/she becomes sick with COVID-19?
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Yes, the student's health insurance will cover any COVID-19 related medical treatment.
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Should ARISE be notified if the student or a member of the host family has been infected with COVID-19?
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Yes, ARISE must be notified if the student or a member of the host family has tested positive for COVID-19.
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What are the latest travel restrictions related to COVID-19?
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ARISE is continuously monitoring travel restrictions and other measures implemented by the government to reduce the spread of COVID-19. For more information on travel restrictions and COVID-19 updates, please visit the following websites.
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Travel.State.Gov (U.S. Department of State – Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs)
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Effective January 26, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will require all air passengers two years of age and over entering the United States (including U.S. citizens and Legal Permanent Residents) to present a negative COVID-19 test, taken within three (3) calendar days of departure​, or proof of recovery from the virus within the last 90 days. Airlines must confirm the negative test result or proof of recent recovery for all passengers prior to boarding. ​Airlines must deny boarding of passengers who do not provide documentation of a negative test or recovery. For more information, click here:
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https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/ea/covid-testing-required-us-entry.html
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/testing-international-air-travelers.html
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OTHER USEFUL RESOURCES
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Exchange Visitor Program Information on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
https://j1visa.state.gov/covid-19/
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The White House
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