CCI-Greenheart Travel Programs: Policies and Conditions
CCI Greenheart Travel Abroad Programs Conditions of Participation
The following Terms and Conditions apply to all CCI Greenheart Travel programs, other than the High School Abroad Program. Please read and review the High School Abroad Program Policies.
As a participant in CCI Greenheart Travel’s Programs I agree to read and abide by the terms and conditions outlined below. If I am a minor, my parent or guardian will also read and sign this agreement.
1. General Terms and Conditions:
1.1 All CCI Greenheart Travel programs promote cultural exchange, which require the willingness to learn and to adapt to–with understanding and appreciation–the customs of the culture, community, and host environment, which may be very different from one’s own. I am mature enough to handle independent international travel and cross-cultural adjustment. I feel comfortable making necessary airport connections and taking public transportation to do my own sight–seeing, etc.
1.2 CCI Greenheart Travel shall not be responsible for my transportation, accomodations or other services or products not included in the program. Travel and sight–seeing expenses are not included in the cost of the program, unless otherwise stated.
1.3 I fully assume all risks to person and property in connection with my participation in the program, including, but not limited to travel delays, property damage and loss, bodily injury, sickness, disease and death.
1.4 I shall comply with all applicable laws of any jurisdiction in which I may travel, including drug laws, while participating in the program. If I fail to follow these rules, I may be terminated from CCI Greenheart Travel’s program without prior notice. I may incur liability to CCI Greenheart Travel under this Agreement if I engage in illegal acts, break a contract or enter into a contract in bad faith.
1.5 CCI Greenheart Travel cooperates with a carefully selected network of partner agencies in the countries where our programs are located. All program applications are subject to acceptance by the partner agency. In addition, CCI Greenheart Travel retains complete right to accept, dismiss, or decline me at any time before or during the program for any reason whatsoever, without liability for refund of payment.
1.6 Smoking is prohibited for anyone not of legal age to smoke. I understand that I may smoke if I am of legal age to do so, but may only do so in accordance with the laws in my homestay community and the rules of my host family.
1.7 Social behavior that requires a strong emotional commitment, such as sexual intercourse, marriage, or change of religion, is strongly discouraged during program participation.
1.8 I must arrive in the host country with a valid passport and a visa, when required. I must also arrive with a round–trip international plane ticket and return to my native country at the end of the program. CCI Greenheart Travel will not take responsibility in aiding me in changing my visa if I remain in the country being visited after the close of the program.
1.9 I authorize CCI Greenheart Travel and their affiliates to use any photographs accompanying this application or any photographs taken while participating on a CCI Greenheart Travel program for promotion or publicity.
2. Confidentiality
2.1 Any personal information I provide to CCI Greenheart Travel, such as academic transcripts, resumes, cover letters, contact information, age, and any financial information obtained is intended to determine eligibility on the Program. CCI Greenheart Travel will only share this information with Contracting Partner Agencies for the purpose of securing my employment overseas and assisting in any travel arrangements associated with the Program, if applicable.
3. Host Family Housing (if applicable)
3.1 Hosts and coordinators will provide suggestions and assistance, but are not tour guides.
3.2 Host families’ homes should not be treated as hotels. I understand that I must be willing to interact and communicate with the host family. Integration into the host families’ lives varies case by case. In some cases, participants will feel like lodgers and in others as a true member of the family.
3.3 I should avoid action that could potentially disrupt adaptation to the host family. Such discouraged behavior includes independent travel and extensive communication with parents, friends, and family at home. I must obey the regulations established by the host family concerning household chores, smoking, etc. I must also adapt to the family circumstances regarding use of bathrooms, time schedules for eating, getting up in the morning, etc.
3.4 I should arrange to travel before or after, but not during, my program unless special arrangements are made prior. Parents and relatives agree to not disrupt the program by excessive contact with the me.
3.5 Meals taken outside the hosts’ home or lodging are at my expense. Time spent on the telephone and on the internet/computer should be limited and all calls made should be with the permission of the hosts and then made on a calling card or via a collect call. I am responsible for my own entertainment and personal expenses, and should come with my own spending money.
3.6 I agree to reimburse hosts for any damage made to their property.
3.7 I agree to accept the final judgment of CCI Greenheart Travel for all host family, volunteer, homestay and language school placements. I understand that I may be placed with families in single–person households, households without children at home, etc. Placements are not restricted based on any local characteristics, such as regional accents or dialects, ethnic character of community, types of industry, economy, weather, etc. CCI Greenheart Travel does not discriminate against race, nationality, creed, or religion.
4. Work and Teach Abroad Program Specific
4.1 Being accepted as a candidate by CCI Greenheart Travel does not guarantee that I shall receive an offer of employment.
4.2 If I am offered a position and I accept that offer, I am responsible for obtaining a passport, immigration visa and other required documentation for participating in the program.
4.3 Any employer contract shall be soley between myself and the Contracting Party.
4.4 As a participant in Greenheart Travel’s Teach Abroad programs, I understand that I am an employee of my host school abroad and as such must fulfill the contractual obligations set forth for me by my host school.
4.5 As a participant in Greenheart Travel’s Work Abroad programs, I understand that I must arrive in my host country with sufficient funds for a return plane ticket and to support myself until I am able to find work.
5. Health and Medical Information
5.1 Even when insurance is included in the program, I understand that I am highly encouraged to purchase an additional travel insurance policy, either through Greenheart Travel or another provider.
5.2 Insurance provided through CCI Greenheart Travel does not cover pre-excisting conditions and/or accidents that occur outside of the terms of insurance. CCI Greenheart Travel and the host family and/or host school cannot be liable for any costs resulting from my illness, personal liability, or other risks. CCI Greenheart Travel only accept participants in good health. Falsification of medical condition will result in repatriation at my expense.
5.3 I understand that if I rent motorized vehicles, I am responsible for my own insurance.
6. Early Termination of Program
6.1 CCI Greenheart Travel and their representatives abroad reserve the right to dismiss me from the program if my mental or physical health hinders participation in the program or if I demonstrate consistent inability or unwillingness to interact productively and/or amicably, or other evidence that I am not capable of, or am unwilling to, participate fully in a cross–cultural environment.
6.2 CCI Greenheart Travel also reserves the right to dismiss me from the program if it is found that I have misrepresented myself or provided false information in the program application. If I am dismissed from the program, I understand that I am responsible for all expenses of repatriation.
6.3 I understand that I will not receive a refund if my program is terminated prematurely for any reason.
6.4 I must accept that perceived or actual epidemics (such as but not limited to, SARS, bird flu or natural disasters) can delay, disrupt, interrupt or cancel programs and agree to assume all risk of any such problems which could result from any such occurrences.
7. Fees
7.1 Many CCI Greenheart Travel programs are fee-based programs. The fees for the program cover all expenses which are expressly listed on the CCI Greenheart Travel website. Unless otherwise indicated, program fees do not cover personal expenses, airfare, daily transportation costs, visa fees, passport fees, routine medical examinations, vaccinations, medical costs not covered by insurance, costs of books or other activity fees, or the expenses incurred because of premature termination of the program.
7.2 For participants traveling on any fee based program, the non-refundable deposit is due at the time of application and the balance of the program fee is due in full 35 days before departure. Failure to submit payments on time may result in program cancellation. Participants who submit applications for fee based programs less than 35 days before their intended program start date agree to pay program fees in full at the time I submit my application.
7.3 Cancellation and Deferral Policy
(a) CCI Greenheart Travel will not alter their cancellation policy for any reason. If I am concerned about forfeiting program fees in the event I decide to cancel due to events such as a serious illness, death in the family, terrorist attacks, natural disasters, etc., I understand that I should consider purchasing independent trip insurance.
50% of fee forfeited for cancellations made less than 35 days prior to the program start date.
75% of fee forfeited less than 13 to 7 days before the program start date.
100% of fee forfeited 6 days or less before the program start date.
(b) Programs may be deferred for up to six months from my original start date dependent upon availability. All requests for deferral are subject to review on a case by case. CCI reserves the right to deny any deferment request. If the deferment is honored, the non-refundable deposit and amount of the first payment will be retained by CCI-Greenheart Travel, to apply toward the new program.
(c) Other fees - $25 fee is applied for a returned check. $25 fee for incoming bank wire.
Liability Agreement
I do hereby release CCI Greenheart Travel, its officers and agents, from any and all claims and causes of action for loss of property, personal injury or illness, accident, delay or expense sustained by myself arising out of any travel or activity conducted by or under the control of CCI Greenheart Travel. I also release CCI Greenheart Travel and its agents, and agree to indemnify them with regard to any financial obligations or liabilities that the applicant may personally incur, including, but not limited to, non–reimbursable medical and related costs or any damage or injury to the person or property of others that I may cause while participating in this program. In the event that CCI Greenheart Travel or their agents advance or loan any monies to me or incur special expenses on my behalf, I agree to make immediate repayment.
This agreement and any claim related directly or indirectly to this agreement shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois (without giving regard to the conflicts of law provisions thereof). No such claim shall be commenced, prosecuted or continued in any forum other than the courts of the State of Illinois and I submit on behalf of myself, my successors, assignees, and representatives, to the jurisdiction of such courts. I waive any and all right to argue that this choice of forum provision is or has become unreasonable; and any and all right to trial by jury in any action, proceeding or counterclaim related to or arising out of this agreement. I affirm that the provisions of this agreement are severable and, in the event any term or condition hereof is found by a court of competent jurisdiction to be void or unenforceable, the remaining terms and conditions of this agreement shall, if permitted by law, remain in full force and effect. This agreement shall bind, and ensure to the benefit of, the respective affiliates, relatives, heirs, trustees, and successors and assigns of the parties hereto.
Permission for Medical Care and Release
I authorize Greenheart Travel and its representatives and host parents to consent to any X-ray examinations, anesthesia, medical, or surgical diagnosis rendered or treatment or hospital care for the person listed below, which is deemed advisable by, and is rendered under the general supervision of any licensed physician or surgeon. This authorization is given to provide authority and power on the part of our aforesaid agents to give consent to any and all such diagnosis, treatment, or hospital care which the aforementioned physician, dentist, or surgeon in the exercise of his/her best judgment, may deem advisable. I further agree to hold Greenheart Travel and its representatives harmless for its actions relating to my emergency treatment.
I confirm that I have read and agree to abide by the conditions above (either stated or implied). I understand that failure to comply with these rules may result in dismissal from the program at my own expense. There is no reason—pre–existing health condition, emotional or behavioral problems, etc.— why I should not be able to participate in the program. I also confirm that I have not been convicted of any felony and that falsifying or withholding of any information on the application could result in program dismissal.
Signature of Participant _____________________ Date_____________________
Signature of Parent/Legal Guardian
(required for minors under 18)_________________ Date__________________