As a Traveler Support Specialist for EF Study Abroad, my number one focus is to support our travelers through the process of preparing to travel on a short-term study abroad program. From the minute you enroll to the time you return from your program, my teammates and I are here to answer any and all questions you have so you feel excited and ready to go on your program!
Recently, more and more conversations I’ve had with students and their parents or guardians have been focused on planning ahead for future travel once the world opens up again. Of course, conversations like these pose some understandable hesitations. Thinking about travel when so much is unknown can be challenging. But, that’s why we are here! From when to go, where you can go, to how to go, our job is to take the worry out of travel for you and we want to make sure you know we are here to talk through your questions or concerns.
From feeling nervous to step foot on an airplane again, to wondering what things will be like at your destination by the time of travel, we have heard it all, and we understand! When you decide to travel with EF, we want you to feel secure in that decision, no matter what the future looks like. In addition to our worldwide network, global and domestic safety teams, and new health and wellness standards, we’ve also developed new Safety and Protection offerings—all part of EF’s Safety Assurance commitment to help you feel confident in planning for your future now.
That being said, we know that sometimes it is also just helpful to chat with someone about any hesitations you may be feeling, and also about all the options available to you when exploring the flexibility of your travel plans. That is where my team and I come in.
When a traveler calls in to express a concern, I always like to take the time to have a genuine conversation. I’ll try and ask what specifically they are feeling concerned about, and try and understand the root of the concern, so I can follow up with any and all information available so they can make an informed decision on what is best for them.
Lately, the question of how we are addressing the safety and security of our travelers abroad has been a common question of individuals calling into our team. At EF Study Abroad, the safety and security of travelers is our top priority which is why we’ve created new guidelines to earn us the Safe Travels stamp — the world’s first-ever global safety and hygiene stamp for the travel and tourism industry, designed specifically to address COVID-19 and similar outbreaks.
Below are a few key highlights I think are worth drawing attention to given the types of conversations I typically have on the phone. To learn more about our new health and wellness standards, see our complete information here.
1. Flight safety — EF partners with major airline carriers that are implementing protocols including blocking middle seats, requiring face masks on board, and conducting more rigorous cleaning processes, including using HEPA filters, which are the same filters used by many hospitals to maintain high sanitary standards.
2. Hotels and Restaurants — We will only partner with hotels and restaurants that adhere to strict cleaning and disinfecting guidelines.
3. Experiences with Physical distancing in mind — we are working continuously with our partners, local venues, and restaurants to provide as safe an experience as possible.
Want to chat further? Please give us a call! We would love to learn more about how our travelers are feeling about going abroad in the future!
You can reach our Traveler Support Team Monday – Friday 9:00 am – 5:30 pm EST at 877-485-4184.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Find more “How To’s” and resources here.
