Dear Colleagues and Friends,
The current circumstances have presented us with great challenges and require quick and effective responses. Maintaining our students’ learning and growth are our top priority; faculty and administrators are in continuous discussion to ensure that services continue uninterrupted and that all students and staff understand how to access community health resources as needed.
Hand in hand with our university partners, INTERLINK has been carefully monitoring the effects of COVID-19. We are adjusting our services and practices enabling students and staff to follow CDC health and safety guidelines. Students continuing their online studies from home are in regular contact with their instructors and directors. Conditions allowing, this fall we expect to pursue a two-track approach, giving students the choice to study online or resume in-person classes on our campuses.
Despite the upheaval that COVID-19 has caused, our overseas contacts indicate the continuing desire for English language training, academic preparation, and cross-cultural orientation done in the U.S. We are moving full speed ahead on adapting our project-based approach to online instruction. This will enable students to complete more basic levels of the program in their home countries before leaving for the U.S. With this in mind, we welcome your inquiries on how INTERLINK can best serve your students and create customized programming for groups.
It is worth recalling the Confucius message we shared in our 2019 end-of-year letter only months ago, “The gem cannot be polished without friction, nor man without trials.” While there is much work ahead, we are presented with major opportunities for transformation on personal, professional, social, and institutional levels.
I look forward to your continued collaboration in assisting our program participants to “become engaged students, independent learners, critical thinkers, and effective communicators.” May we all emerge from this experience with a stronger sense of community, deeper understanding of compassion, and renewed commitment to our highest values.
With good wishes for your continued health of body, mind, and spirit, I remain.
Ahad Shahbaz
President
INTERLINK International Institutes