Page 30 - StudyTravel Magazine April 2022 Issue

DESTINATION

out And About…

AgAIn

“There is a strong desire to open
things back up as soon as it is safe,”
notes Jack at the University of Penn-
sylvania ELP. “The Omicron variant
seems to be in a steep decline in our
area, so there are many wonderful
opportunities to get out and about in
beautiful and historic Philadelphia.
During the winter, many students love
the opportunity to see our popular NBA
team, the Philadelphia 76ers, play.”
Attractions in South Florida are
open and ready to welcome students,
confi rms Brandon Boston at Eagles
Landing International (ELI) of Eagles
Landing Camps www.kidsloveelc.com.
Photo: VIAVAL TOURS / Shutterstock.com “Community members are eager to be
out and about and safely engage in
what’s available to them,” including,
Universal Studios, Disney World,
Everglades National Park and Miami -
to apply for an F1 student visa instead student recruitment, including waiv- South Beach.
if they plan to study in 2022. Citizens ing in-person interviews for certain A vibrant and energetic beach town
from countries participating in the non-immigrant visa applications, is just minutes from the campus of
Visa Waiver Program can enter the US including for student and academic University of West Florida https://
very easily with an ESTA and we hope exchange visas. “Restrictions are uwf.edu, as well as pristine state and
this will remain the case, as it is the easing, partially due to the change in national parks that capture the area’s
market we are targeting,” she adds. political atmosphere,” agrees Michael coastal beauty, notes Jeanne de
Consulates are slowly reopen- Vu at The Academy of MiraCosta www. Simon. Located on the beautiful Gulf
ing though and delays in setting visa tam.edu, something providers played Coast, Pensacola was named one of
appointments are getting shorter, a part in securing, he notes. the Top 125 cities to live in the US.
says Deirdre. According to Cynthia Schools with a good post-Covid Top New York tourist attractions
Garcia at Full Sail University www. recruitment plan in place will perform like the Empire State Building and the
fullsail.edu in Florida, increasing the well moving forward, continues Statue of Liberty are open once again.
availability of visa appointments is key Michael. “Usually, this has a lot to But, “Visitors have to book their time
to sector recovery. do with a strong network globally to visit a museum in advance which
“Continued support from govern- and fi nancial stability. Smaller or was not the case in the past,” notes
ment offi ces in being fl exible and independent schools will have to get Stephanie at BSL.
creative in facilitating the resumption creative in fi nding ways to attract In Honolulu, nearly all tourist
of student mobility through review international partners and schools.” attractions have reopened, relates Dr.
and updating travel restrictions and Clear communication, support and Gerard Dericks at World Scholars Acad-
visa processes,” notes Jack Sullivan trust are essential as the industry emy www.worldscholarsacademy.com.
at the University of Pennsylvania ELP resets itself, adds Jennifer Phillips at But Hawaii’s world-class beaches,
www.elp.upenn.edu in Philadelphia, Wisconsin ESL Institute (WESLI) www. pristine environment and spectacular
will go a long way towards helping wesli.com in Madison, WI. “Students natural beauty are this destination’s
the industry rebound. Indeed, there need to feel that it is safe to travel biggest draw, he says. “This is what
have been a number of mandates by and study – so we all need to work international student visitors should
US government recently that should together to make sure they have the experience fi rst!”
grease the wheels for international best experience possible.” nicolahancox@studytravel.network

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