The privately-funded Pyongyang University of Science and Technology (PUST) kicked off its fall semester on Monday, but without the American volunteers that comprise the bulk of its foreign volunteer staff.

The school, which has been open since 2010 and receives funding from Christians around the world, was expected to be especially hard hit by a recent U.S. travel ban on citizens visiting the North.

“Despite challenging circumstances, the elevated tensions on the Korean peninsula and the U.S. government ban on travel to the DPR Korea, we have been able to meet the requirements to start classes on the planned date,