Reopening

International
Exchange
The World is More
Open Than You Think
Contents

Message from IIE President & CEO…………………………………………………………………………………………….3

Top Sending Countries Table……………………………………………………………………………………………………..5
Scholarship & Fellowship Updates……………………………………………………………………………………………16
Reopening International Exchange
A Message from Allan E. Goodman, President & CEO, IIE

The COVID-19 pandemic will be remembered as one of the most

tumultuous, disruptive moments in the history of our modern world.
Years from now, we will recount the tragic loss of life, the heroism of
frontline workers, the changes we were forced to make as a society,
and the ways in which we adapted as a global community. Beyond
the material memories of masks or hand sanitizer, we will remember
the difficult decisions, the quest for certainty in a shifting landscape,
and the feeling of a closed world.

The pandemic is not yet in our past, but very much our present, and
the ever-changing situation persists with few answers. Nevertheless,
from what felt like a near-complete shutdown earlier this year, little-by-little our world – that of
international education and exchange - is reopening. It is not linear, and by no means
simultaneous. We know colleges, local communities, entire countries have made attempts to
reopen only to reverse course, and that these decisions are only as definitive as the information
on hand at the time. ‘Reopening’ will not be a singular moment, but a series of small
movements forward that we need to continuously share with one another.

“‘Reopening’ will not be a singular moment, but

a series of small movements forward that we
need to continuously share with one another.”

For example, intercontinental air services are resuming and able to bring students and scholars
to the United States. Consulates are reopening and giving priority to processing student visas.
Students are signing up in record numbers for virtual fairs and information sessions on how and
where to apply for U.S. colleges and universities for the 2021-2022 academic year. The over
2000 Foreign Fulbright students already in the U.S. are resuming their studies, and the recent
call for Fulbright Scholar applications saw a 20-year record high. Countries like Canada, Finland,
and Germany are seeing increased media coverage of international education issues and public
interest in exchanges. The flexibility and dedication to international education by higher
education institutions around the world means that, despite reduced numbers in this academic
year, inbound and outbound mobility is still happening.

3
This paper reflects the situation as of early September 2020 for selected countries and
programs where IIE has been able to compile information thanks to our program leads,
international office directors, and the fourteen EducationUSA Regional Educational Advising
Coordinators (REACs) whom we manage on behalf of the U.S. Department of State. While the
situation will surely change, and likely has already changed, we hope this initial snapshot
provides a helpful, hopeful start to what could be better news in the weeks and months to
come.

4
Updates from Top 15 Sending Countries1
to the United States
Information provided as of September 15, 2020

South Korea

U.S. Embassy/Consulate
The Consular section at the U.S. Embassy reopened for non-immigrant visa
processing on July 20.

Testing
All of the standard tests for U.S. college admissions such as SAT, ACT, GRE,
TOEFL, etc. are being scheduled regularly.

Travel
International travel to and from South Korea has largely returned to normal,
with some additional restrictions. Airlines have reduced service to or
suspended some routes.

Other
Korean elementary and secondary schools started their fall semester with
online classes exclusively, but students are scheduled to return part-time to
in-person school on September 21. This may be adjusted after October 12,
depending on the situation after the five-day long Chuseok holidays.

1
Top countries of origin for international students studying in the United States based on Open Doors 2019 data.

5
Taiwan

U.S. Embassy/Consulate
As of July 15, the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Taipei resumed routine
visa services. AIT is currently prioritizing student and exchange visitor visa
processing (F, M, J).

Testing
TOEFL, GRE, GMAT, SAT testing centers are open as normal, with only two
GRE Subject Tests (Sept 12 and Oct 17) having been cancelled this year.

Travel
There are currently very limited international flights between Taiwan and
major cities in the United States, Canada, Japan, Indonesia, Singapore, Hong
Kong/Macau, Dubai, and China.

Other
Taiwan continues to maintain a strict border policy. Currently, foreign visitors
with tourist visas are unable to enter Taiwan. On August 24, the Ministry of
Education announced allowing entrance to foreign students from additional
countries.

United Kingdom

U.S. Embassy/Consulate
The U.S. Embassy in London and Consulate in Belfast are issuing student visas
as a priority.

Testing
ACT and SAT capacity is greatly reduced, with many students having to travel
long distances to get a seat (if available). There are reports of tests being

6
cancelled at the last minute. The UK’s national examination system has been
under significant pressure, with the governments cancelling all national exams
in summer 2020, and instead relying on calculated grades based on teachers’
predictions and student work up until the school closures in March.

Travel
Flights to the United States from the UK are on a reduced schedule, as most
tourist travel is effectively suspended at the moment. The prices have also
increased.

Other
Schools returned to in-person classes in September.

India

U.S. Embassy/Consulate
Consular sections at the U.S. Embassy and Consulates across India are now
accepting applications for F, M, and J visa renewals, as well as H and L visa
renewals for those who qualify for an exception at Visa Application Centers
across India.

Testing
While most schools are still closed, College Board has been permitted to offer
the SAT at a limited number of testing centers. 54 schools were listed as
official SAT centers for the September 26 test. College Board is also working
with testing centers to make decisions about AP tests for the 2021 testing
cycle. TOEFL, GRE, and the GMAT are being offered at testing centers around
the country.

Travel
Despite the ongoing international travel suspension, which prevents Indian
citizens from traveling abroad until September 30, students may be able to

7
 travel to the U.S. through the special air bubble flights that have been
organized between India and the U.S., per India's Ministry of Civil Aviation2.

Other
Per the orders of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, schools,
and higher education institutions in India are to remain closed for in-person
classes until September 30. Educational institutions are providing online
classes for students.

Vietnam

U.S. Embassy/Consulate
The U.S. Embassy in Hanoi and the Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City have
resumed certain non-immigrant visa services, including visa types F, M, and
certain J categories.

Testing
Standardized testing has resumed in Vietnam, however testing centers may
decide to close or reduce the number of students due to last-minute local
restrictions. All students should check with their testing center directly to
ensure that they have the most updated information before the official
testing date.

Travel
Limited commercial flight options are available for exiting the country;
however, flights are more expensive than normal and have been cancelled
and/or delayed on short notice.

2Government of India, Ministry of Civil Aviation. (2020). About Air Transport Bubbles. Retrieved from:
https://www.civilaviation.gov.in/en/about-air-transport-bubbles.https://www.civilaviation.gov.in/en/about-air-transport-
bubbles

8
Japan

U.S. Embassy/Consulate
The U.S. Embassy in Tokyo and the U.S. Consulates in Osaka, Fukuoka, and
Sapporo have resumed certain non-immigrant visa services, including F, M,
and certain J categories.

Testing
Online testing is available for TOEFL iBT, GRE General Test, and IELTS.

Travel
Flights from Japan to various cities in the United States are readily available.
However, the Japanese government continues to discourage travel to a
number of different countries, including the United States.

Saudi Arabia

U.S. Embassy/Consulate
The U.S. Embassy Riyadh and the Consulates General in Dhahran and Jeddah
have resumed limited visa appointments for student visa applicants applying
for F, M, and J visa categories only. Visa appointment availability remains
severely limited and priority is being given to students who have previously
been issued U.S. student visas and whose study start dates are imminent. 

Testing
Testing availability is limited.

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Travel
Current students who are in Saudi Arabia need permission from the Ministry
of Education (MOE) to return to the United States and will need to arrange a
ticket through the MOE.

Other
On August 11, the Ministry of Education in Saudi Arabia announced that Saudi
scholarship students can resume studies remotely for the fall term.

Mexico

U.S. Embassy/Consulate
Consular services for student visas are available at the U.S. Embassy and
Consulates in Monterrey, Guadalajara, and Ciudad Juárez. Services are only
available to Mexican citizens.

Testing
Testing for SAT and ACT is currently being offered at about half of the normal
level. However, there have been reports of test cancellations. Online testing
for such exams as TOEFL, Duolingo, IELTS, and GRE is widely available.

Travel
Air travel to and from Mexico and the United States is allowed pending flight
availability from major airports. Only essential travel allowed by land/sea.

Other
Both secondary and higher education in Mexico began the 2020-2021 school
year primarily utilizing online models.

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Iran

U.S. Embassy/Consulate
At present there are no visa appointments available at the U.S. Embassies in
the UAE, Armenia, and Turkey. Currently, the next available appointment for
student visas at the U.S. Consulate General, Dubai is December 2020.

Testing
ETS testing centers are currently operating in Iran. TOEFL iBT Special Home
Edition is no longer available in the country.

Travel
Although the flight options are limited, there are still flights between Iran and
the United States.

Other
Students who deferred their admission this year are concerned about their
scholarships/funding for the next year. Schools are encouraged to collaborate
with these students and provide them with updated information about the
status of their funding for the next semester/year.

Turkey

U.S. Embassy/Consulate
The U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Turkey have reopened and started
providing visa services in Istanbul and Ankara. The visa interview
appointments are still very limited. Students applying for F1 visas may submit
an urgent visa application request, if the proposed visa appointment date
causes a delay in their studies.

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 Testing
The TOEFL testing capacity is reduced. At-home testing is still available and
that is the preferred option at the moment. Individual SAT testing centers
may decide whether to proceed with scheduled exams or not, in the absence
of a mandate from the Ministry of Education.

Travel
International flights to most countries have resumed.

Other
Most K-12 schools are conducting lessons online. 8th and 12th grade students
in public schools may attend courses in person, but it is unclear if this will
continue as the semester progresses.

China

U.S. Embassy/Consulate
Student visa appointments remain suspended while the Consular section at
the U.S. Embassy in Beijing and U.S. Consulates throughout China remain
closed until processing may resume.

Testing
The TOEFL ITP Plus for China solution opened registration on May 15 and will
be available until TOEFL iBT testing resumes in Mainland China. The Duolingo
English Test3 has gained popularity as students may take the exam online
from home with score reports delivered in approximately 48 hours.

Travel
There is currently a significant reduction of commercial flight options both to
and from China. The United States continues to restrict entry of travelers

3
Duolingo is now accepted by more than 2,000 institutions around the world.

12
from China unless travelers quarantine elsewhere for 14 days before arrival to
the United States.

Canada

U.S. Embassy/Consulate
Consular services for student visas are not currently available. Canadian
citizens do not need student visas; these services are for third-country
nationals in Canada.

Testing
Testing for SAT and ACT is currently being offered at about half of the normal
level. However, there have been reports of test cancellations. Online testing
for exams such as TOEFL, Duolingo, IELTS, and GRE is widely available.

Travel
Air travel to and from the United States is allowed pending flight availability
from major airports. Only essential travel allowed by land/sea.

Other
Both secondary and higher education began the 2020-2021 school year
primarily utilizing blended/ hybrid models.

Brazil

U.S. Embassy/Consulate
The U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Brazil are closed for visa issuance.
Currently, only emergency visas are being issued in specific categories.

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Testing
Testing for SAT and ACT have been cancelled throughout the country, as the
schools that offer testing services are not open to the public.

Travel
Flights between Brazil and the United States are available. However,
the Presidential Proclamation set by the United States continues to
restrict entry of travelers from Brazil unless travelers quarantine
elsewhere for 14 days before arrival to the United States.

Nigeria

U.S. Embassy/Consulate
To date, neither the U.S. Embassy in Abuja nor the Consulate in Lagos are
issuing visas. The Embassy and Consulate continue to be closed to the public
with no announced plans to reopen.

Testing
Standardized testing necessary to apply to U.S. colleges and universities is
available throughout the country. The West Africa Senior School Certificate
Exam (WASSCE) was completed on September 12. The exam was delayed by
more than three months.

Travel
The international airports in Abuja and Lagos re-opened on September 5, with
a limited number of airlines flying.

Other
Significant numbers of Nigerian undergraduate and graduate students started
their academic programs online this term. Many needed to do so in order to
complete pre-requisite courses in order to continue their academic programs
in person in January.

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 Nepal

U.S. Embassy/Consulate
The U.S. Embassy is still closed, and the Consular section has suspended
operations.

Testing
The Prometric Center at the Fulbright Commission is preparing to resume
testing for GRE, TOEFL, and USMLE. The SAT testing center is closed for
October.

Travel
Commercial flights have begun operating. In the month of September, 60
international flights were scheduled by eight foreign air carriers and two
domestic carriers.4

Other
Educational institutions are currently closed due to government mandate.

4 Additional information on flights is available through the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal at http://caanepal.gov.np/.

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Scholarship and Fellowship Updates
Fulbright Program
The U.S. Department of State’s Fulbright Program began sending participants as soon as
government travel restrictions were lifted in August 2020. To date, 325 Foreign Fulbright
students have arrived in the U.S. IIE is currently working with approximately 500 additional
Foreign Fulbright students who plan on traveling to the U.S., and another 600 who have
deferred to spring 2021. The Fulbright U.S. Student Program has already sent out 200
participants with the rest of the cohort planning to travel in spring 2021. Not only did the U.S.
Scholar Program hit a 20-year high in terms of applications received, but the U.S. Student
Program also reached a new record increasing by nearly 12%.

Fulbright U.S. Student Program

In mid-January, the Fulbright U.S. Student Program was first affected by COVID-19, and
together with ECA and Fulbright Commissions and Posts around the world, IIE helped to
evacuate Fulbrighters in China back to the United States followed by other participants across
the globe—about 1,500 U.S. Students from approximately 120 countries. On March 19th, the
Fulbright U.S. Student program was officially suspended. Shortly thereafter, the State
Department made the decision to postpone components of the U.S. Student program to the
beginning of 2021, except for participants enrolling in degree programs and renewal English
Teaching Assistants (ETAs). These 200 students have begun their programs this fall.
Currently, IIE is working with approximately 2,100 selected U.S. Students to collect their
required documents and to answer their questions ahead of their departures. In conjunction
with the ECA and some U.S. universities, virtual Pre-Departure Orientations (PDOs) have been
launched to enable U.S. students to participate virtually in both synchronous sessions and
asynchronous sessions and to help prepare them for their grants in the 2020-2021 academic
year. IIE is also working closely with U.S. Embassies and Fulbright Commissions around the
world to ascertain which countries will be open to U.S. Fulbrighters in the spring. Those
countries that do not open this spring will either delay the opportunity until later or defer so
that the current 2020-2021 cohort can undertake grant activities the following academic year.

Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program

In mid-March, the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program was affected by COVID-19 and teams at ECA,
IIE, and Fulbright Commissions and Posts helped to evacuate approximately 660 U.S. Scholars
back to the United States from approximately 100 countries. The Fulbright U.S. Scholar program
was officially suspended on March 19th. Shortly after, the State Department made a decision to

16
postpone the beginning of the 2020-2021 academic year and the program will resume for the
new cohort in the spring.
IIE is currently working with approximately 870 selected U.S. Scholars to collect their required
documents and answer their questions ahead of spring departures. Virtual Pre-Departure
Orientations have launched on a platform called Canvas, and U.S. scholars are participating
virtually in both synchronous and asynchronous sessions. IIE is working with U.S. Embassies and
Fulbright Commissions around the world to ascertain which countries will be open to U.S.
Fulbrighters in the spring. Those countries that do not open this spring will provide the
opportunity to defer so that the current 2020-2021 cohort can undertake grant activities the
following academic year. In addition, IIE has worked closely with the Department of State’s
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs to reassign approximately 23 U.S. Scholars who were
originally carrying out activities in China and Hong Kong to new countries as the China and Hong
Kong Fulbright programs were terminated in the summer of 2020.

The International Education Administrator Seminar programs were suspended during 2019-
2020 but will resume in 2020-2021.

Foreign Student Program

The Fulbright Foreign Student Program is supporting approximately 1,500 continuing students
and nearly 350 new degree-seeking students this fall for in-person or hybrid programs in the
United States. Another 500 students have begun their fall semester virtually from their home
country. The IIE team will be supporting Foreign Fulbright Students in the United States and
around the world this year. In January, the program plans to welcome those 500 virtual
students along with another approximately 160 students to start in-person in the United States.
Another component of the program, the Visiting Student Researchers, which totals
approximately 400 more participants, were postponed until spring 2021 to begin their grants.
Recent guidance from the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board will allow the 2020-2021 Visiting
Student Researchers to delay their exchanges to academic year 2021-2022 if key conditions for
their programs are not met (e.g. if their host institutions are online only, for example, or if
travel restrictions prohibit their participation).
The enrichment programming will be virtual this academic year, but this change may afford the
opportunity to engage more students than usual with the hope of creating connections and
growing the Fulbright network and legacy. The summer English programs and Gateway
orientations were held virtually and engaged a record number of participants, with 400 in
English programs and 800 for the Gateway.

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Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant Program
The Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant (FLTA) Program has welcomed
approximately 260 participants to teach their language and share their culture with U.S.
students at more than 180 HEIs this academic year, though for the first time with a large
number of those participants – approximately 140 – beginning their programs virtually from
their home countries. As it is a single academic year grant, it is hoped that participants
beginning virtually will be able to transition into in-person life in the U.S. for the beginning of
the spring semester to maintain an in-person exchange experience.
The traditional orientation programming for new FLTAs, meant to prepare participants for
cultural and professional expectations in U.S. higher education as well as to provide targeted
pedagogical training on best practices in language teaching, was transitioned into a virtual
format. Partnering with the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville; the University of Pennsylvania;
the University of Oregon; and Michigan State University to develop content for the orientation,
sessions included both asynchronous recordings and assignments, with multiple synchronous
discussion and workshop sessions offered around each topic to allow for maximum
engagement regardless of time zone.

Visiting Scholar Program

In mid-March 2020, the Fulbright Visiting Scholar and Scholar-in-Residence Programs were
severely impacted by the spread of COVID-19 as U.S. campuses moved online. While some
scholars did continue their programs in various ways, many departed early, and over the past
six months, the teams at ECA, IIE, and Commissions and Posts around the world have worked to
repatriate roughly 631 scholars. New arrivals planned between March and December 2021
were delayed. Uncharacteristically, at the start of the fall 2020 semester, fewer than 100
Visiting Scholars remain in the United States to complete their programs this fall and beyond.
As the US. embassies and consulates around the world have begun to reopen, J-1 visas are
being issued again for programs/universities that are not 100% online. Therefore, the 2020-
2021 cohort of Visiting Scholars/Scholars-in-Residence are permitted to begin their programs
on a delayed timeline, starting as soon as January 2021 or as late as July 2021, and are currently
working with host universities to confirm scholars’ planned programs and facilitate their
academic exchange. Recent guidance from the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board will allow
the 2020-2021 Fulbright cohorts to delay their exchanges to academic year 2021-2022 if key
conditions for their programs are not met (e.g. if their host institutions are online only, for
example, or if travel restrictions disallow their participation). There are more than 800 selected
scholars working to plan their programs this spring. Fulbright Scholar Enrichment programming
will be entirely virtual in 2020-2021.

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The Fulbright program staff hope for a return to the program’s usual timelines and cohort size
of around 900 scholars for the 2021-2022 academic year but will be nimble and responsive to
delays and changes caused by the pandemic.

Scholar-in-Residence Program
The Scholar-in-Residence (S-I-R) program has been able to take advantage of the program
pause to undertake a program review. The S-I-R program was suspended for applications for
the 2021-2022 academic year—although delayed programs will take place despite the
temporary suspension, and new program and recruitment enhancements will roll out beginning
in the spring of 2021 to recruit institutions and participation for the 2022-2023 academic year.

Outreach Lecturing Fund

The Outreach Lecturing Fund, which allows Visiting Scholars to present their research at
underserved institutions through site visits, turned virtual in March 2020 and will continue
virtually until domestic U.S. travel presents less of a risk. The program team is rolling out a
targeted pilot of such virtual engagements during the fall of 2020 and expects virtual
programming to be necessary at least through August 2021.

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Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program

In March 2020, COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic, prompting a Level 4 U.S. State
Department health advisory for all international travel and instructing all Americans abroad to
either return to the U.S. or prepare to shelter in place. Gilman Program team members at the
U.S. Department of State and its implementing partner, IIE, led in the repatriation of more than
700 Gilman Scholars studying and interning abroad in 90 countries. The Gilman Program
maintained ongoing communication with Scholars, their U.S. advisors, and in many cases, their
family back home, providing resources to support Scholars unexpectedly returning early from
their program, conducting frequent check-ins, and reporting daily to the U.S. Department of
State and its network of U.S. embassies and consulates on student locations abroad and their
return to the United States.

With the suspension of the Gilman Program through the end of 2020, the Gilman team
continues to support the long-term sustainability of the program by working with Gilman
Scholars, who were unable to start their program abroad to identify alternative program
options. These students have the option to defer to a program abroad in 2021 or participate in
a credit-bearing virtual international internship program or virtual study abroad program while
international travel is restricted.

Upon their return from studying abroad, Gilman Scholars engage with their home communities,
institutions, and future scholarship applicants through their Follow-on Service Project. This
project is a way for returned Gilman Scholars, including those impacted by COVID-19, to
promote the Gilman Scholarship and encourage study abroad by sharing the impact of their
experiences abroad and exposing their peers and community members to the myriad of growth
opportunities provided by international education and internships. The Gilman Program
recognized the achievements of its alumni in combatting the pandemic, launching a social
media campaign to highlight Gilman alumni who are serving on the front lines of the global
health crisis by supporting communities at home and abroad.

The new online Gilman Scholar Network has enabled alumni to connect virtually, which is highly
valued by Gilman alumni impacted by COVID-19. The networking platform allows Gilman
recipients to search for other Gilman Scholars and alumni by location, college/university,
country of study, and career industry; request mentorship from more experienced Gilman
alumni; and offer mentorship to newer alumni or Scholars. The Gilman Scholar Network also
provides access to community sourced job postings, Gilman events, and programmatic
announcements. The Gilman Program works to engage all its alumni base with the Gilman
Scholar Network, and since its launch in April 2020, it currently hosts more than 3,000 active
participants.

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The Gilman Program's new and planned virtual events demonstrate the sustained interest in
study abroad despite the challenging times. Nearly 2,000 participants (applicants, alumni, and
study abroad university staff) have attended virtual events since March 2020. Events included a
panel on HBCUs' work in study abroad, live Instagram sessions for applicants, live Zoom
sessions for students and advisors, and workshops on various topics for staff, including
Strategies for Increasing Awareness of Study Abroad Opportunities and Supporting Students
Through the Application Process. Gilman alumni ambassadors have never been more engaged
and have participated in information sessions for institutions across the nation and engagement
events directly with potential applicants. There continues to be an interest in career
development opportunities from alumni. Career development topics include: Highlighting
International Experience on Your Resume, Maintaining Foreign Language Skills, and Non-
Competitive Eligibility.

The Gilman Program’s most recent deadline was October 8th. Students are able to propose
study abroad and internship programs beginning in January of 2021 onwards. The Gilman
Program will remain flexible and supportive of the needs of the higher education community.
Students may also apply for virtual study abroad and internships with this application cycle.
Virtual internships have been particularly popular and have been prior to the pandemic.

National Security Exchange Programs (NSEP)

Following the State Department’s issuance of a global travel advisory in March 2020, all
students participating in NSEP study abroad programming funded by the Defense Language
National and Security Education Office (DLNSEO) returned to the United States. This had a
direct impact on Boren Awards and The Language Flagship, as these were the only IIE-
administered NSEP programs with active participants studying abroad. Since that time, the
Boren Awards, The Language Flagship Project Global Officer (GO), and the Language Training
Centers (LTCs) successfully pivoted to provide innovative virtual and domestic programming to
new and continuing program awardees until restrictions on travel and in-person engagement
due to the COVID pandemic subside.
The Boren Awards provides scholarships to undergraduate students and fellowships to
graduate students to study overseas in countries and regions underrepresented in study
abroad, with an emphasis on long-term immersion overseas. Since awards for the 2020 cohort
were made in mid-April, the Boren Awards team has been working flexibly with awardees to
provide updated guidance and allow grantees to adjust their departure dates and duration
overseas to meet new travel guidelines ahead of anticipated Spring 2021 departure. The
Regional Flagship Language Initiatives have a special structure and are comprised of an
intensive domestic summer program at either the University of Madison-Wisconsin (South
Asian, Indonesian, and Turkish Flagship Language Initiatives) or the University of Florida,

21
Gainesville (African Flagship Languages Initiative) followed by an intensive overseas semester.
Both the University of Madison-Wisconsin and the University of Florida were able to seamlessly
transition to an entirely virtual environment for summer 2020 and provide the same level of
intensive language instruction as originally, featuring innovative virtual cultural activities and
engagement across the language communities. When it became clear that travel overseas
during the fall 2020 semester would not be possible, university partners and the overseas
program providers created new, 3-credit language maintenance courses for all students
designed to maintain and promote linguistic proficiency, enhance continued cultural learning,
and provide a bridge between the intensive domestic and intensive overseas components.
Boren students participating in the Regional Flagship Language Initiatives are currently taking
courses which include participation from the overseas staff, faculty, and resident directors.
Following the evacuation and return of Flagship study abroad students to the U.S. in spring
2020, the Language Flagship immediately transitioned its programming to virtual and domestic
formats. Through collaboration with the program’s overseas partners, classes were created and
adapted, and additional individualized tutoring was provided. Over one hundred and twenty
undergraduate students in seven different programs successfully completed their high-level
language and culture programs throughout the spring and summer. In addition, three students
are participating in virtual internships with Chinese companies to complete their programs in
Fall 2020. A new cohort of over 90 Flagship students have now begun their typically year-long
study abroad experience in the virtual format, with plans in place to spend the spring 2021
semester abroad. The virtual format again relies on strong partnerships with overseas partners,
who design and implement all language instruction, cultural activities, and opportunities for
additional language practice such as tutoring and language partners. Looking ahead to spring
2021, the goal is to have students travel to their host countries to engage in additional language
instruction, immersive living environments, and participate in professional internships in-
language. However, each program is actively engaged in contingency planning to allow for
continued online programming and virtual internships with foreign companies should
restrictions on international travel continue.
Project Global Officer (GO) programs were able to successfully transition overseas and domestic
in-person program activities scheduled for summer 2020 to online programming across 21 of
the 22 program institutions, having begun the planning process in the spring. By making this
transition, Project GO was able to offer ROTC students a full array of language and culture
learning opportunities, including some engagement with overseas partners, to 422 Project GO
student awardees across the United States. Virtual program observations and focus groups
with students and instructors over the summer conducted over the summer by IIE, in
cooperation with the program sponsor DLNSEO, confirmed the viability and success of online
learning within Project GO. Summer 2020 provided many lessons learned and best practices for
online language and culture learning, allowing the program to explore capabilities for future
online sustainment designed to support continued language learning for Project GO students
after completing their program experience. Looking ahead to summer 2021, applications for

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Project GO are now open for programming scheduled to resume in-person both domestically
and abroad. If the COVID-19 pandemic continues to restrict travel and in-person learning
opportunities into next summer, Project GO will be well positioned to adapt programming to
meet the language and culture needs of the ROTC community.
The Language Training Center (LTC) program has fared exceptionally well over the course of
2020. As a program designed to be agile, adaptive, and flexible to meet very specific and
varying language, culture, and regional/areas studies needs of a multitude of DoD partners,
most LTC program institutions pre-pandemic offered capabilities to provide distance and online
learning. As the impacts of COVID-19 began to restrict DoD personnel travel and the ability for
institutional partners to provide in-person learning opportunities, all eight of the LTC
institutions fully transitioned to supporting their DoD partners with online training
opportunities. This was achieved by utilizing many existing capabilities and the deployment of
new technology where needed. LTC training activities have continued since January 2020,
experiencing only minimal cancelations and/or training delays while transitioning all training
opportunities to the online environment. Current plans are to continue training activities in the
online environment through the end of 2020 and possibly through the first quarter of 2021.
LTC institutions will continue to monitor COVID-19 restrictions at the local, national, and
international levels in conjunction with their DoD partners’ needs. LTCs will remain poised and
nimble with the capability to quickly pivot to offering in-person training to DoD partners as
soon as circumstances allow, which may include a return to in-person training by spring 2021,
or earlier, based on current assumptions.
In March 2020, the English for Heritage Language Speakers (EHLS) program hosted at
Georgetown University successfully transitioned the 18 EHLS scholars 2020 cohort from in-
person learning to an all-virtual learning environment. Utilizing the Zoom for Government
platform, the instructional team at Georgetown was able to provide continued intensive
language instruction and professional development, as well as ensure planned federal partners
could participate in mentoring of scholars. The scholars were able to receive this one-on-one
mentor experience to support their research projects and federal employment search. Each
August, EHLS scholars present their capstone analytical research project at the Open Source
Analysis Project (OSAP) Symposium and this year marked the first virtual OSAP hosted by
Georgetown University. Representatives from NSEP, the Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL),
Georgetown University, and IIE were able to attend these virtual sessions along with members
of the federal government and universities interested in the research topics presented by the
EHLS scholars. While goal is for the 2021 EHLS program to take place on campus in-person,
should the program need to be conducted virtually Georgetown University, CAL, and IIE are
committed to continue providing the same standard of rigorous instruction and excellent
support to EHLS scholars.

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