To be placed on a GeoVisions program, 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 in the program of your choice 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 sixty (60) days before your departure date. This gives GeoVisions time to make certain your money reaches the project site well in advance of your arrival. If you are unable to pay your balance 60-days before departure, that could result in cancellation of your project and/or your host family. There would be a $50 reinstatement fee.

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 family or project for you if you are flexible in your travel plans. The change of date and change of program fee is waived.
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.
Cancellation of a project must be in writing. Email transmission is acceptable. GeoVisions does not accept project cancellations by telephone. If you choose to cancel your project, your cancellation will become effective from the day GeoVisions receives this notification.
If you cancel between 31 and 59 days before your project start date, you are entitled to a 50% refund of monies paid, less your $350 initial payment.
If you cancel between 14-30 days before your project start date, you are entitled to a 25% refund of monies paid, less your $350 initial payment.
If you cancel between 1 and 13 days before your project start date, you are not entitled to any refund.
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 for a GeoVisions program, after considering any medical or other safety risks.
To obey all rules of the host family and host agency, 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, the host institution, 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. I understand GeoVisions is not obligated to refund any part of the program fee if I leave the project for any reason.
In the event that you wish to complain about your volunteer placement or the services provided by GeoVisions, its partner organizations, and/or affiliates, 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 complaint 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. 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. No complaints will be considered unless the above procedure is followed.

PROJECT EXTENSIONS AND CHANGES

If you would like to change the dates or any details concerning your volunteer project placement, you can do so at no extra charge by contacting GeoVisions at least 60 days before your start date.
If you change your volunteer project less than 60 days before your departure, you will be charged $100. If you change your departure date less than 60 days before the original departure date, you will be charged $100. Some programs, especially those in Africa and India, cannot be changed less than 45 days in advance without paying a significant fee. These fees reflect the fact that the volunteer organization has already scheduled the volunteer and received a donation.

IMPORTANT MATTERS YOU MUST UNDERSTAND

You may be dismissed from the program at any time if GeoVisions, the host institution, host family or governmental authorities determine that your continued participation would be detrimental.
Working and living conditions may be very different from what you are used to, and may be very basic and lacking transportation and other amenities.
Any changes you make in your participation (for example, reducing or extending the length of your program, changing dates or country choice) requires an additional $50 change fee payment to GeoVisions plus any change in program fees based on the current program fees on GeoVisions' Website at the time of your change.
You are responsible for airfare or other charges resulting from cancellation or change in your program, regardless of the cause.
GeoVisions 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 at your project location will be of a local standard, and may differ from what you are accustomed to in your home country. You may be required to share a bedroom and/or bathroom, but you will be notified of this in advance. Volunteers are expected to adapt to and show respect for local living conditions.
Commutes between host families, language schools and projects can vary and may be well over an hour in certain locations. This may also be the case if you are trying to get into the city center on your own time. 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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