Since the pandemic began, bringing travel to a halt, we’ve navigated the challenging process of cancelling our 2020 spring and summer programs. We are heartbroken for the students who were not able to complete the experience they were preparing for, and remain hopeful that those who agreed to postpone or participate in an alternate program will be able to do so.
We’ve also taken the time to reflect on the value of our work and the impact our programs have had on many students and teachers over the years. We’ve stayed connected with our partners abroad and shared how our respective communities have been affected by the coronavirus. We keep working together to find ways to bring language and culture to our teachers and students while many of us are working or schooling remotely.
In October we shared some interviews we recorded with a few of our Family Stay Coordinators, who talked about their local communities and how COVID-19 has impacted their daily lives and specifically their school experiences. We will further support our teachers and students with cultural materials in French and Spanish as we work toward the time when travel can safely resume.
In the meantime, L&F will continue to patiently and carefully plan for travel in 2021 with the hope that borders will open and that sound practices will be in place to allow for safe travel. We are extending deadlines and providing as much flexibility as possible to allow more time to make decisions.
We’ve been able to provide life-changing experiences for thousands of students, teachers and host families for more than 30 years, and we are committed to carrying on our important mission well into the future. The world will need to rebuild relationships and form new connections beyond borders once this pandemic subsides.
“I am not the same, having seen the moon shine on the other side of the world.” – Mary Anne Radmacher
The L&F Team