To be placed as a GeoVisions member of the Conversation Corps, you must read and agree to the following terms and conditions. This is a legal contract between you and GeoVisions, Inc. Your electronic signature as well as the check mark you place on the Application confirms that you accept and agree to be bound by these terms and conditions.

GeoVisions will facilitate your placement as a member of the Conversation Corps in exchange for payment of the program fee. GeoVisions begins working on your behalf the moment your credit card is accepted.

FEE PAYMENT

An initial payment of $350 must be made before your application is sent abroad, with the balance due within five business days of receiving your host family placement. If you are unable to pay your balance when you are placed, that could result in cancellation of your host family.

REFUND POLICY

If GeoVisions is unable to place you within 21-days of your program start date, or the program is cancelled prior to departure, all payments, less $50, will be refunded. You may request that GeoVisions continue to look for a host family. Please note: If GeoVisions is successful in placing you after the 21- day opt-out policy above, and you decline the placement, you do not qualify for any refund.
The initial payment of $350 is otherwise non-refundable for any reason.
No exceptions can be made to this policy regardless of the circumstances.
Applicants are strongly advised to purchase trip cancellation insurance.
All cancellations must be in writing. Email transmission is acceptable. GeoVisions does not accept cancellations by telephone. If you choose to cancel your project, your cancellation will become effective from the day GeoVisions receives this notification.
Because you do not pay the balance of your fee until you are placed, there are no refunds if you cancel for any reason after you are placed and after you pay your balance.
If you cancel on the project start date or after the project start date and while you are on the program you decide to leave early, there are no refunds to any portion of the fees you paid.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

To determine your own suitability to be a member of GeoVisions' Conversation Corps program, after considering any medical or other safety risks.
To obey all rules of the host family, and to respect all safety, health, legal, political, cultural and religious customs.
To be completely responsible for your own safety and to exercise caution and common sense at all times and be aware of local safety or health risks.
To be liable for any losses or damages you cause to GeoVisions, its affiliates, host family and any other persons, and to indemnify these parties for all associated costs and expenses.
To be fully accurate and truthful in your application.
To understand the terms of the medical insurance coverage, including exclusions pertaining to pre- existing conditions.
To complete the term of the project. Please understand that GeoVisions is not obligated to refund any part of the program fee if you leave the program for any reason.
In the event that there are issues with your duties, the host family or any part of your program where you need assistance, you must notify the in-country volunteer coordinator immediately in order to give him/her a chance to rectify the situation. In the event that you cannot obtain satisfaction from the in-country volunteer coordinator, a formal written letter must be submitted to the in-country coordinator and to GeoVisions, preferably by email (programs@geovisions.org) or by fax at (1-203-738-1024). You may also submit your complaint by phone (1-203-453-5838) if you do not have access to email or a fax machine or if you consider the issue an emergency. GeoVisions maintains a 24 hour, 7-day per week manned emergency line for this reason. GeoVisions can resolve most issues by simply contacting the local staff on your behalf. We will take all necessary steps to solve any problems you are having. This procedure must be followed for GeoVisions to consider all aspects of the issue you raise.

PROJECT EXTENSIONS AND CHANGES

If you would like to change the dates or any details concerning the program, you can do so at no extra charge by contacting GeoVisions at least 60 days before your start date.
If you change your program location less than 60 days before your departure, you will be charged a $50 change fee. If you change your departure date less than 60 days before the original departure date, you will be charged a $50 change fee.

IMPORTANT MATTERS YOU MUST UNDERSTAND

You may be dismissed from the program at any time if GeoVisions, the host family or governmental authorities determine that your continued participation would be detrimental.
Living conditions may be very different from what you are used to, and may be far from transportation and other amenities.
You are responsible for airfare or other charges resulting from cancellation or change in your program, regardless of the cause.
GeoVisions sometimes relies on foreign partners or agencies for information regarding their programs; while this information is believed to be accurate, GeoVisions makes no representation or warranties about the accuracy of this information.
Applicants must accept their family placement unless they have a valid reason to decline (such as health and allergy reasons), issues with the adequacy of the accommodations (such as a shared bedroom), which must be communicated to GeoVisions in writing within 24 hours after placement is received.
GeoVisions has the sole discretion to determine whether an applicant is entitled to decline a host family placement.
Some programs require a longer than normal time before placement can be confirmed - do not book your flight until your placement has been confirmed!
Some projects, especially those that involve children, may require criminal background checks. We reserve the right to cancel a volunteer's placement if information is found that disqualifies the volunteer from a certain program.
If you choose to leave the volunteer project early, you must notify the in-country coordinator(s) and GeoVisions. Neither the in-country coordinator(s) nor GeoVisions will be responsible for you or any additional costs you incur because of your choice to leave the project early. Project fees are not refundable in this case.
The eating and living facilities with your host family will be of a local standard, and may differ from what you are accustomed to in your home country. Volunteers are expected to adapt to and show respect for local living conditions.
Commutes between host families, language schools and a city-center for your enjoyment can vary and may be well over an hour in certain locations. This again is part of daily life for your host family members.
It is the responsibility of the volunteer to obtain all necessary documentation to enter the country and travel to, from, and within the program. This documentation can cost extra money and may take several weeks.
GeoVisions is not liable for cancellation, alteration or delay caused by circumstances beyond its control, such as threat of war, sickness or quarantine, crime, terrorism, weather, acts of government, or acts of God.

I understand and accept that there are risks of injury associated with my participation in this program. I agree, as a condition of being allowed to participate in this program, that I freely and voluntarily assume all risks of injury, death or property damage and release GeoVisions and its owners, agents, employees, directors and officers from any liability for personal injury, property damage or death, which results in any way from negligence.

This agreement is to be governed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of New Hampshire.

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Please remember that GeoVisions International is an independent non-profit organization with no governmental or religious affiliations. GeoVisions International is a Vermont non-profit (Public Benefit) Corporation. Our Trade Name and Board member list is located in file N-25201-0 on the Secretary of State for Vermont Website.

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