Booking Conditions

I (or parent or guardian if enrollee is under the age of 18 or a minor under any other applicable law) have read, understand, and agree to be bound by the following terms in exchange for enrollment on an EF Gap program (“EF Gap Year” or the “Program”).

• I am or will be 18 years or older by the time of my Program’s Departure Date.

• I acknowledge and understand that my Program is operated outside of the U.S. by EF Education First International, Ltd., Switzerland, and that EF Institute for Cultural Exchange, Inc. acts only as a marketing service provider for that company.

• EF Institute for Cultural Exchange, Inc., EF Education First International, Ltd., and their affiliated companies, related foundations and charitable organizations, partners, and any companies acting on their behalf, along with their officers, directors, employees, independent contractors, agents, and authorized representatives (collectively referred herein as “EF”) do not own or operate the entities which provide goods or services for my Program other than the EF Language Schools and the Hult Ashridge campus, including, for example, hotels; arrangements for, ownership of, or control over houses, homestays, apartments, or other lodging facilities; tour directors; airline, vessel, bus or other transportation companies; local ground operators; visa processing services; providers or organizers of additional excursions; or food service or entertainment providers. I acknowledge that all such persons and entities are independent contractors and not employees of or employed by EF, including specifically the Tour Director assigned to a tour, any organization providing service-learning or volunteering opportunities, and internship providers and associated employers.

• Without limitation, EF is not responsible for any injury, loss or damage to person or property, death, delay or inconvenience in connection with the provision of any goods or services occasioned by or resulting from, but not limited to, acts of God; force majeure; acts of government; acts of war (declared or undeclared) or civil unrest; insurrection or revolt; strikes or other labor activities; public health issues or emergencies; epidemics, pandemics, plagues, outbreaks of infectious disease, or mass-illness; criminal, terrorist or threatened terrorist activities of any kind; overbooking or downgrading of accommodations; structural or other defective conditions in houses, homestays, apartments or other lodging facilities (or in any heating, plumbing, electrical or structural problem therein); mechanical or other failure of airplanes or other means of transportation or for any failure of any transportation mechanism to arrive or depart timely or safely; dangers associated with or bites from animals, insects or pests; sanitation problems; food poisoning; lack of access to or quality of medical care; difficulty in evacuation in case of a medical or other emergency; financial failure or other defaults by suppliers; dangers associated with water-based activities; or any negligent or willful act or failure to act of any third party, or for any other cause beyond the direct control of EF.

• I agree to release EF Education First International, Ltd.; EF Institute for Cultural Exchange Inc.; EF Education First, AG; Hult International Business School Inc.; the Ashridge (Bonar Law Memorial) Trust, and all parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, related foundations, and charitable organizations, along with each of their directors, shareholders, officers, employees, insurers, volunteers, sponsors, contractors, agents, independent Tour Directors and authorized representatives (the “Released Parties”) from, and covenant not to sue the Released Parties for, any and all claims, of any nature related in any manner to my participation in an EF Gap program, including but not limited to, claims for negligence; breach of contract; breach of express or implied warranties; negligent or wrongful death; or any statutorily based claim. I hereby unconditionally and unequivocally waive any and all claims and demands for all damages, losses, costs and expenses of any nature whatsoever (including attorneys’ fees) on account of or arising out of any and all personal injury, death, bodily injury, mental anguish, emotional distress, property or other damage that I may suffer from any cause whatsoever related in any way to my participation in any EF Gap program.

• I agree that this Release of Liability applies to and binds myself and my minor child enrolling on the Program (if applicable), along with my personal representatives, executors, heirs, and family.

• I acknowledge and agree that the following activities are not offered as part of my Program and that this releases EF from any liability that arises from activities undertaken with non-EF sanctioned vendors and/or not offered by EF during my Program including, but not limited to, parasailing, paragliding, parachuting, skydiving, scuba (unless certified), and the use of motorbikes, mopeds, scooters, quads, and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs).

• I understand that travel and living conditions in other nations is different from that within the United States. Programs outside the United States can involve inconvenience and risk, including, but not limited to, forces of nature; geographic and climatic conditions; different hygienic standards; infrastructure problems (including road maintenance, transportation delays and accommodation condition); civil unrest; vandalism; crime; political instability; and terrorism. Medical services or facilities may not be readily available or available at all during all or part of a Program and, if available, may not be equal to standards in my home country. I specifically understand that a service-learning program and other volunteering opportunities is a physically demanding excursion in a developing country, and I knowingly assume the risks of such an excursion. I further understand that different parts of the work present unique health, disease, and safety concerns, and I agree to review any specific risks related to my destinations by visiting the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Traveler’s Health website at cdc.gov/travel and the State Department’s International Travel website at travel.state.gov.  I will discuss any such risks with my physician and obtain any needed immunizations or vaccinations related to all locations of my Program.  I assume all risk of bodily injury, death, emotional trauma, property damage, inconvenience and/or loss resulting from negligence or any other acts of any and all persons or entities, however caused, including, but not limited to, those risks mentioned above. It is my intention fully to assume all of the risks of traveling to and participating in the Program and to release the Released Parties from any and all liabilities to the maximum extent permitted by law.

• I further agree to release the Released Parties from any and all decisions to cancel, modify or delay the Program as a result of unforeseeable events that are beyond the reasonable control of EF Gap Year, that make the Program impossible or impracticable to conduct, or which become necessary or advisable for my safety or for the quality of the Program experience.

• EF shall have no liability or responsibility for me whatsoever when I am absent from EF-arranged activities or for non-EF arranged activities, which includes all free time, visits to friends or relatives, independent travel, any time where I am at any self-arranged accommodations, or any optional periods or activities.

• My Program begins with takeoff from the departure airport or arrival at the program orientation and ends upon completion of the flight back to the origination (or other arrival) airport. If I elect for a Stay Ahead, my Program begins when I join my program cohort at our first international location, and if I elect for a Stay Behind, my Program ends with the culmination of EF planned programming and prior to the flight back to the origination (or other arrival) airport.

• The air carrier’s liability for loss of or damage to baggage or property, or for death or injury to person, is subject to and limited by the airlines’ contract of carriage, its tariff, the Montreal Convention or Warsaw Convention and their amendments or both.

• EF reserves the right to refuse or revoke my enrollment in the Program for failure to meet the Essential Expectation Criteria, violations of the Rules of the Road, inaccuracies or omissions on my enrollment application, or for any other reason as determined solely by EF. In such events, the Standard Cancellation Policy will apply.

• I agree to abide by EF’s regulations and the directions of any EF staff, Tour Director, or other provider during my Program. These regulations include but are not limited to prohibitions on the possession and/or usage of illegal drugs, overindulgent alcohol consumption, disruptive actions to the others associated with the Program, damage to property, engaging in any criminal act, use or possession of any weapon or firearm, bullying, sexual harassment, or causing or threatening to cause physical harm to myself or another person. I understand and agree that EF may dismiss me from the Program at any time and at my sole expense for the failure to follow such rules or directions or for any other reason that EF deems in its sole discretion threatens my or another’s person’s health, safety, or Program experience. I understand that in the event I am dismissed from the Program for any reason, I waive the right to a refund of any part of my Program cost, and that EF may then send me home at my own expense and is not responsible for arranging my transport home.

• I agree to abide by all local laws, regulations, and governmental advisories for all locations of my Program while abroad, including those concerning drugs and alcohol. I understand that if I abuse or disobey such laws, even unintentionally, I waive my right to a refund of any part of the Program cost, and EF may send me home at my own expense. I also understand that should local authorities be involved, I will be subject to the laws of the country I am visiting. Actions resulting in incarceration will result in immediate termination from the Program, and I agree to waive the right to a refund of any portion of my Program cost. EF is not responsible for any legal fees or arrangements for legal counsel.

• If I become ill, incapacitated, or medically compromised, EF, its employees, Tour Directors, and providers, including a healthcare provider or health consultant, may take any action they deem necessary for my safety and well-being, including securing medical treatment or assessment and transporting me home at my own expense. EF retains the right, in its sole discretion, to contact the Emergency Contact listed on my enrollment form with regard to health issues or any matter whatsoever that relates to my Program. These rights transcend any and all privacy regulations that may apply. In the event of a medical emergency or any situation requiring medical intervention or consultation, EF will attempt to cause appropriate treatment to be administered, and I authorize EF to do so. EF, however, makes no warranty that it will be able to cause effective (or any) emergency treatment to be administered or to be timely administered, and EF will not be responsible for monitoring any health care that I may need. EF may offer to connect me with external mental or physical healthcare resources, including mental health assessments, and I authorize the use of these services.

• I represent that I do not have any physical or mental health condition(s) that will create a danger or hazard for myself, other participants, or any other person or organization related to the Program. I have also informed EF of any disability that may require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the Program. I acknowledge and agree that access, accommodations, and protection that may be available during the Program will be governed by the local laws applicable to that location and not those of the United States.

• I understand and acknowledge that EF reserves the right in their sole discretion to reject my application/enrollment or to dismiss me from the Program if, after acceptance/enrollment on the Program, EF learns of any undisclosed condition (personal, medical, academic, or psychological) that in the sole opinion of EF may endanger myself or others, or puts me at risk while traveling to or participating in the Program, or creates burdens or costs not required in order to support other participants in the Program.

• EF may, in its sole discretion, approve or disapprove of any participant’s change in housing arrangements or accommodations, including but not limited to opting out of EF-arranged housing or accommodations. If EF agrees to allow me to choose and/or arrange my own housing arrangements or accommodations, I agree that EF is not responsible for, and that I agree to release and hold EF harmless from, any loss, claims, costs, liabilities, disruptions, or other issues that result.

• I understand and agree to abide by the Program schedule. Failure to be on time for a scheduled departure may result in the group departing without me, and I will have to make my own arrangements at my own expense to reconvene with the group. EF is not responsible for arranging such transportation.

• EF has the right to make changes in Program itineraries and departure dates, changes to the order of events or activities, and to modify transportation or housing arrangements, including the use of substitute airlines or accommodations. In the event of such changes, refunds will be given only in accordance with the provisions of the Booking Conditions.

• EF is not responsible for loss of passports, airline tickets, or other documents, or for loss of or damage to luggage or any other passenger belongings. In the case of a lost paper airline ticket or missing an EF booked flight, I acknowledge that I am solely responsible for meeting the airline’s requirements (both logistical and financial) for ticket replacement.

• I will be required to pay for any phone calls or incidental personal expenses that I incur at hotels or other accommodations, as well as for any damage I cause to hotel rooms, buses, or other property.

• I understand and acknowledge that this Program has been designed for persons aged 18 to 22, as reflected in the pacing, content, accommodations, and other aspects of the tour. By participating in the Program, I represent that I am in the requisite physical and mental condition to participate. I further understand that this program is not a therapeutic or rehabilitation program (including for court-mandated adjudication).

• These Booking Conditions constitute the entire agreement between EF and me with reference to the subject matter herein, and I do not rely upon any promises, inducements or agreements not herein, including but not limited to any oral statements made to me by any agents or employees of EF and any marketing materials. This agreement may be amended or modified only in writing signed by EF. The waiver by EF of any provision of this agreement shall in no way affect the remaining provisions of this agreement, and this agreement shall be interpreted as if such clause or provision were not contained herein.

• This agreement and performance hereunder shall be governed in all respects, by the substantive laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. In the event of any claim, dispute or proceeding arising out of my relationship with EF, or any claim which arises between the Parties, whether or not related to this agreement or the literature for the trip or the trip itself, it shall be resolved exclusively in courts of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and/or the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts.

• EF or its representatives, affiliates, agents, contractors or consultants may use any photographic, film, digital, or video likeness taken of me; any of my comments while on an EF Gap program; any of my photographic, film, digital, or video content shared by me with EF through any format; and use my contact information for future publicity or marketing without compensation to me.

• I have read and agreed to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy outlined at http://efgapyear.com/privacy-policy/, and I consent to EF’s processing of my personal data.

You agree to abide by EF Gap Year’s Rules of the Road – our program rules and regulations – while enrolled in an EF Gap program. Failure to follow these rules may result in dismissal from the program, returning home at your own expense and forfeiture of any refund. EF Gap Year reserves the right to make any and all decisions with regard to disciplinary action (see below).

In addition to the Rules of the Road, each separate module of the program will have additional specific rules. These will be outlined in a safety briefing at the beginning of each module or by staff on location

Participation and Punctuality

Successful completion of this program requires your engagement and active participation. This includes attending and being on time to any scheduled excursions and events, all scheduled classes at the language school, committing to all service work with non-profit partners and their clients, and showing up for all scheduled business days during an internship. It is crucial that you hold yourself accountable for being on time – this might include group activities on an immersion tour or with a service partner, start times of your language classes, being on time for an internship or for scheduled dinner with a host family. Repeated absences or tardiness is unacceptable and may result in your removal from the program. If you are sick, have signs of becoming sick, or have a physical ailment that might prevent you from participating in an activity, you must inform an EF Gap Year representative.

Communication

Participants are expected to maintain communication with EF Staff, host families, Tour Directors, Language School staff, and any other partners they interact with on the program. This includes responding to any outreach within a reasonable time frame (within 24 hours). Communication must always be done in a respectful manner and considerate of time zone differences.

Respect for others

In order to promote a positive environment for all, it is essential that every individual behaves in a respectful manner, whether that be with fellow participants, EF Gap Year staff, school faculty and administrators, host families, non-profit partners, or others you engage with during your program.

Discrimination, intolerance, harassment, bullying, cyberbullying, use of hateful language or slurs, acts of violence, using technology in any way to embarrass or harm another person, or any behavior that deliberately disrupts a positive group environment or puts the health/safety of any participant (including yourself) at risk may result in immediate dismissal from the program.

Relationships

Romantic relationships between Gap Year Participants and staff (including suppliers, tour directors, host family members, and EF Gap Year employees) are prohibited.

Smoking

Smoking (including vaping) is not permitted on buses, during meals, in hotel rooms (or similar accommodations), or in any other shared, enclosed space. Respectful smoking etiquette is expected, including being mindful of those in your vicinity and disposing of your cigarettes properly.

Prohibited items or activities

Hitchhiking, scuba diving, bungee jumping, skydiving, and the use of motorized vehicles, motorcycles, ATVs, or quads is strictly prohibited. Other prohibited activities may exist in specific destinations and these will be communicated by staff on location. For the safety and well-being of all participants, no firearms, BB guns, or other weapons are permitted on the program except as required by law.

Alcohol and drug use

In order to respect each other and the communities we visit, we expect everyone to be respectful when consuming alcoholic beverages.

Participants who are of legal drinking age according to local law may consume alcoholic beverages responsibly and in moderation but should not be intoxicated or conduct themselves in an inappropriate manner. Excessive drinking by any participant, or any inappropriate behavior related to alcohol, will not be tolerated and may result in dismissal from the program. This includes any scenario that includes destruction of property, physical altercations, unwanted sexual attention, contact or related boundary violations, spiking another person’s drink with any substance, missing parts of program, and/or hospitalizations.

The use of illegal drugs is strictly prohibited during the program. The use of any such drugs may result in immediate dismissal from the program.

Disciplinary action

As stated above, your failure to follow any of the rules outlined above may result in dismissal from the program at any time and your immediate return home at your own expense with forfeiture of any refund. EF Gap Year reserves the right to decide the severity of any violation as well as take any and/or all of the disciplinary actions outlined below—or any other action(s) we deem appropriate—to ensure the safety, well-being, and educational experience of all participants concerned.

Verbal warning
(Minor violations)

Call the student(s) to discuss their behavior. Review how it violates the Rules of the Road. Agree verbally on an action plan to avoid future violations.

Written warning
(Moderate and/or repeated violations)

Send a formal warning letter to student(s), copying their parent(s), outlining how their behavior (or continued behavior) violates the Rules of the Road and how any further violations will result in immediate dismissal from the program. Stipulate any action plan(s) that must be followed to remain on the program Obtain signatures of agreement from both the student(s) and their parents.

Immediate dismissal
(Severe and/or repeated violations)

Call student(s) and their parent to explain how their behavior has violated the Rules of the Road and inform them of the expulsion. Discuss travel arrangements to return home to be made on behalf of the student(s) at their own expense and no program refund. EF will book appropriate ground transport and flights and escort the student(s) to the airport.

Participant assent

I have completely read, understand, and agree to be bound by the “EF Gap Year Rules of the Road” while enrolled in EF Gap programs.

PRICING

The program’s base price includes:

• Program price based on standard rooming occupancy

• EF Gap Year Advisor support

• Departure fees and surcharges

• Airfare and transportation as specified

• Accommodations as specified

• Meals as specified

• Tour Director support during related portions of the program

• Sightseeing tours, internship, service learning and language study placements as specified

• 24-hour global emergency support

What’s not included in the base price

• Global Travel Protection Plan*

• Most lunches and many dinners, depending on the program module (see individual module descriptions at efgapyear.com for details)

• Transportation to free-time activities

• Any applicable baggage-handling fees imposed by the airlines

• Expenses caused by airline rescheduling, cancellations or delays caused by the airlines, bad weather or events beyond EF’s control (see “Flight delays & cancellations”)

• Passport, visa, other travel documents, testing, and reciprocity fees

• Optional global mobile phone service package

• Optional excursions

*Participants are required to maintain adequate insurance coverage for the duration of their program.  Please see the Global Travel Protection Plan section below for more information.

Please note: Government taxes and fees with respect to air travel, including the September 11th Security Fee, and port taxes are part of the program price. All prices are in U.S. dollars. For the most up-to-date pricing, please contact your EF Gap Year Consultant. While EF Gap Year makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of its publications, it cannot be held responsible for typographical or printing errors (including prices).

ENROLLMENT

Enrollment conditions

To enroll in an EF Gap Year program, you must first speak with an EF Gap Year Consultant. Enrollment is complete only after EF Gap Year’s Booking Conditions have been signed and the applicant has paid the required enrollment deposit.

The amount of deposit required is determined by the program type as detailed below. If the enrollment deposit is made within 150 days prior to Departure Date, there may be a travel supplement added to the program fee.

Payment Policy

Should you choose the Monthly Payment Plan, 4 Installment Plan, or Pay in Full, the following Terms & Conditions apply.

Monthly Payment Plan

• Customers who choose the Monthly Payment Plan must pay a minimum required deposit as detailed in the Enrollment Conditions section. The remaining balance will be divided equally among the remaining months between enrollment and departure dates.

• Customers who choose the Monthly Payment Plan will be enrolled in Automatic Payments.

• Customers who choose the Monthly Payment Plan will have their payments automatically processed on the 1st every month, per the Automatic Payment terms detailed below.

• Should the customer opt to withdraw from the Monthly Payment Plan or is withdrawn by EF, the traveler will be enrolled in the 4 Installment Plan.

4 Installment Plan

• Customers who choose the 4 Installment Plan must pay a minimum required deposit as detailed in the Enrollment Conditions section.

• The remaining balance will be divided equally among 4 installments on due dates per the charts below.

• Customers who choose the 4 Installment Plan have the option to pay via Automatic or Manual Payments, per the terms detailed below.

Essential Eligibility Criteria (EEC) for all EF Gap Students

EF Gap Year provides experiential education programs for young adults aged 18 to 22. On the program, students travel to up to 10 countries around the world while studying a foreign language, volunteering, and interning abroad.

Successful students are active experiential learners who create growth goals for themselves for enhancing their personal development and intercultural knowledge and then commit to making progress on-program through cultural immersion and hands-on learning.

The health and well-being of our students and promoting student growth are our highest priorities. Our programs can present physical and mental challenges due to their fast-paced nature, which may be outside our travelers’ familiar comfort zones.  This program requires students to be fully committed to and capable of working hard, taking responsibility for themselves, and working effectively within their cohort. This program is not a therapeutic or rehabilitation program (including for court-mandated adjudication) and is not suitable for students that require professional help in these areas.

Successful program participants will be able to meet the Essential Eligibility Criteria (EEC) for EF Gap Year programs. If you are unable to meet certain criteria, please contact us to discuss further.

Each EF Gap Year participant must be able to:

Failure to comply with these EEC may lead to disciplinary action, early dismissal or medical evacuation from the program or any combination of these.  Associated costs will be borne by the program participant or their parents/guardian.