Last UPDATED 11/09/2020
Language & Friendship is continuing to monitor updates from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as updates from the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Embassies in our program countries.
The safety and well-being of all of our travelers and teachers is our top priority. We will resume programs when it is safe to do so.
In the meantime, we encourage you to stay connected with family and friends, your work and school connections, and in your communities. We are all in this together and it is together that we will survive and thrive.
Frequently asked questions:
When will we receive a cancellation refund for a 2020 program?
Language & Friendship has contacted all 2020 travelers by email with details on receiving a cancellation refund. If you did not receive an email or if you have questions, please email [email protected] and we will be happy to help.
When will travel resume?
Language & Friendship staff is continuing to monitor CDC, WHO, and State Department guidelines to ensure the safety of our travelers. At this time, we are hopeful that our programs will be able to resume in 2021, but we will continue to keep teachers, travelers, and parents informed of any necessary changes to itineraries as recommended by health professionals.
What safety precautions will be in place for travel in 2021?
L&F will continue to monitor updates from the State Department, CDC and World Health Organization, and our partners abroad as the year progresses. We are hoping that by next year, there will be solid guidelines in place to provide safe travel experiences. We will rely on the experts and in the meantime stay optimistic for the future. Hopefully great progress is made toward a vaccine or significant treatment for the virus by the time our programs are set to take place.
What happens if we can’t travel?
2021 will be a unique year for many reasons, and we will be holding off on making any non-refundable deposits until the latest possible time in order to be as accurate and cautious as possible. This will minimize risks for students.
What is covered by the L&F trip cancellation insurance that is included in the program?
The trip cancellation insurance provided by CORE does not cover cancellation because of the threat of the coronavirus. A person (or family member) must be actually sick or have a medical condition, accident or illness, to be able to be covered under the trip cancellation benefit. This excludes sickness arising from COVID-19.
How can I reach L&F if I have questions?
L&F staff members are currently working remotely, so the easiest way to reach us is by e-mail. Please note that we are experiencing a large volume of emails at this time. We are working as quickly as we can to provide answers to the many questions we are being asked. We appreciate your patience at this difficult time.