Deadline for Application:

The deadline for application is 30 days before the program beguines. Applications submitted after the deadline will be considered on a case-by-case basis. The registration fee is not a part of the total program price. The application fee guarantees your place in the course, but does not guarantee your accommodations until you e-mail or fax a copy of your airline tickets (see section Registration and Payment section).

Registration and Payment:

In order to register you must complete and send in the registration form and submit the required registration fee. The program fee can be paid before departure or upon arrival in cash (Argentine Pesos or U.S. Dollars), with credit card, by means of a bank wire transfer. Payment upon arrival is only available for programs that start in Buenos Aires. All other programs must be paid at least 7 days prior to program start date or accommodation check in. In the event payment is not made by the due date, a late payment fee will apply (see Late Payment section). We also reserve the right to immediately cancel the program.

Payment Due Date:

Programs in Buenos Aires: payments are due before your first night at you accommodations or first day of classes -whichever is first. Programs in other locations: payments are due 7 days prior to program start date or accommodation check in. In the event payment is not made by the due date, a late payment fee will apply (see Late Payment section). We also reserve the right to immediately cancel the program.

Late Payment:

If full payment is not received by the due date, a late payment fee of US$35 per day will apply.

Payment Methods:

Program participants can make their payment by bank wire into our US bank account before their arrival. Credit card and debit card payments are processed online via PayPal and they have a surcharge of 8%. You can also make the payment in cash upon arrival in AR$ pesos or US$ dollars. We do not accept traveler checks, personal checks or money orders.

Program Start Date:

The start date of your program is the first day of accommodations or first day of classes, whichever is first. If you are registered for a program in multiple locations, the program start date is the first day in your housing or your first day of classes / volunteering / intering (whichever is first) at your first location. If you are registered for a multi-month program in one location, the program start date is the first day in your housing or your first day of classes / volunteering / intering (whichever is first). Therefore, any changes made to any portion of the program within 3 weeks of your program start date will be subject to a program change fee. For more information about the program change fee, please read the section called Changes.

Classes:

Please note that your first day of classes might involve a number of administrative formalities such as orientation, grading placement exam, familiarization with course materials, explanation on how to use cellular phones, etc.

Course materials:

Textbooks and/or photocopies of course materials are included in the Spanish programs. However students are responsible for bringing their own materials for taking notes in class (spiral notebook, pen, pencil, dictionary, etc.) Textbooks are not included in the university semester programs.

Cancellations and refunds before your arrival:

Due to costs that we will begin to incur upon receipt of your enrolment, the registration fee is not refundable. The exception to this is if GIC Argentina is unable to arrange your requested course/program, in which case GIC Argentina will refund all of the application fee. Cancellations must be submitted to GIC Argentina in writing, letter or email. The date of cancellation will be taken as the date that we receive the written notification. Note that cancellations less than 4 weeks prior to a program start date are entitled to a refund with a 50% penalty of the total program value. In the event where payment has not yet been made, the program participant agrees to pay 50% of the total program price. For cancellations made more than 4 weeks in advance, a full refund will be made except for the registration fee. In the event of a no-show without written cancellation, you will be liable for full payment. We highly encourage you to purchase trip cancellation insurance.

Cancellations and refunds after your arrival:

All refund requests must be submitted to GIC Argentina in written, letter form or email. The date of cancellation will be taken as the date that we receive the written notification. The following chart details the program tuition refund percentages:

Refund amount after date of cancellation
weeks 1 to 4 = 0%
weeks 5 to 8 = 50%
weeks 9 = 100%
 
Housing refunds will depend upon the policies of the housing providers.

There are no refunds for the semester programs. There are no university withdrawal or course-drop dates. Once you have signed up and the university tuition has been paid, there is no way to test out the program/course and withdraw later and receive a full or partial refund.

Refund Methods:

If payment was made in cash upon arrival, the refund will be issued in cash. If payment was made online via PayPal, the refund will be issued the same way. If payment was made before arrival, the following additional charges will apply: US domestic bank wire US$30, international bank wire US$60.

Accommodations:

Program participants can move into their accommodations one or two days before the program starts at no extra charge if there is space available. All housing must be vacated on the specified program end date. Program participants who do not vacate on time will be assessed a daily housing fee. You are not allowed to bring in visitors unless previously arranged with your host. You are not allowed to have a guest stay overnight.

Changes:

All changes made to your program less than three weeks before your scheduled start date are subject to an additional US$200 fee. Changes to your reservation are not subject to a program change fee up to three weeks before the start date (beyond possible additional fees if a more expensive program is selected). In the event that you extend the duration of your program, this fee does not apply.

Class no-show penalty:

Please be advised that if you are the only student for a particular class, and you fail to show up without notifying 24 hours in advance via email, you will still be charged for that missed class and there will not be a make-up class. The reason for this, is because the teachers will still show up for your class and will have to be paid regardless of whether the class is held or not.

Arrivals and Airport Pick-up:

For all of the programs, the interested person should arrive at his or her accommodation at least the day before the start of classes and leave on the final day of the program, unless other arrangements have been made. It is possible to extend his or her stay in the accommodation for a few days subject to an additional fee.

In addition to notifying us of your arrival date and time, we also require a copy of your plane ticket. Without these items, GIC Argentina will not commit to picking you up upon arrival. Due to the irregularities of the bus arrival times, our normal transfer service upon arrival by bus is not included. However, reimbursement of your taxi fare from the bus station to your lodging in Buenos Aires is included.

Because we allow payment upon arrival, you must email or fax a copy of your airline ticket (by the deadline for application, i.e. 30 days in advance of the program start date) so that we can confirm your arrival. Without such an email or fax of your airline ticket, we will not proceed with making a reservation for your accomodations.

Departures and Airport drop-off:

The airport drop-off service is not included in the program price, however we will me more than happy to assist students with this. It is the student responsibility to confirm his or her departure day and time (or if the was a change in the schedule), at least 4 days prior to departure. A failure to inform us of your departure detail ahead of time may result in our inability to coordinate your airport drop off service. Because most students change their departure it can not be GIC Argentina's responsibility to keep track of everyone's schedule.

Arrival Delays:

In the event that your arrival is delayed for any reason (flight cancellation, illness, etc) you cannot make up or be refunded for missed days of classes, internship, volunteering, activities or housing.

Discounts and Promotions:

Discounts and promotions are only valid when your program is paid in full before your first night at you accommodations or first day of classes - whichever is first. In the event that your payment is late, you will unfortunately lose any discounts or promotions that apply and will need to pay the standard rates.

Medical Insurance:

Students are advised to get their own travel and medical insurance before departure. GIC Argentina will not be responsible for any cost incurred by the student relating to medical illness, accidents or any reason that will result in the student early return. We strongly encourage travel and health insurance. GIC Argentina offers health insurance through its web site as a courtesy to its participants (and in order to obtain bulk discount rates). However, we are not connected to any insurance company and do not help students/travelers with claims or disputes. GIC Argentina is not liable for any health problems, reimbursements or claims while or after participating in our programs.

Holydays:

Classes / volunteering / intering days that are canceled due to holidays cannot be rescheduled for a different day or refunded.

Vegetarian Meal Request:

If you would like to request vegetarian meals, it has an extra cost. This is because it is very difficult to find families willing to prepare separate meals from what they normally prepare for their family. If you choose not to request a vegetarian placement, we would inform the family what your dietary restrictions are so that they would be aware of which foods you would not be eating. In this way, they would prepare the meals they normally would make for their family, but understand that you would not be eating the meat (unless you chose to).

Immigration and Visas:

It is the program participants' responsibility to verify all immigration requirements applicable to their particular country and their length of stay. GIC Argentina will be happy to assist you obtain information relative to your particular situation, however any fees associated with visas or immigration requirements are responsibility of
the program participant.

Course Withdrawal:

There are no university withdrawal or course-drop dates. Once you have signed up and the university tuition has been paid, there is no way to test out the program/course and withdraw later and receive a full or partial refund.

Health Club Membership:

The gym membership is included for every full month stay at the residence (for a minimum stay of 4 weeks). You will have to pay a one-time fee of approx 25 pesos to the gym for your gym ID. Gym use of more than a month also requires a medical check-up available at the gym.

The Language Partner Program:

GIC Argentina's language partner program is a great way to improve your conversational skills and meet Argentinians. However, the success of the program clearly rests on both parties willingness to committ the time and energy to the program. We hope you will make the effort to make all language partner appointments. Though the vast majority of the program participants are "successful" -sometimes this is not the case. We can't guarantee the success of the program, but we will find you a new partner should yours be less than reliable.

Cellular Phone:

GIC Argentina provides students with a cellular phone for use during their stay. If you would like o take advantage of this, a deposit is required and you must take the responsibility to go to a GIC Argentina rep at the end of your program and give the phone back. We regret that the deposit will not be returned in the event that the phone is damaged or not returned. Please ask us about current per minute charges from the phone service provider. At the end of the program, if you would like the deposit back immediately, please make sure to go see a GIC Argentina representative to exchange the phone for the deposit. If you prefer to give the phone to the authorized taxi service for your airport drop-off, we will send you the money within two weeks by PayPal.

Student Behavior:

It is understood that any participant will obey the laws, adapt to the customs of the host country and host family. We reserves the right to expel (without refund) any student whose behavior violates the these policies and rules or those of special program providers, tour operators, host families, etc. The abuse of alcohol, any possession or use of illegal drugs will result in immediate termination of the program without refund. Furthermore, any expenses incurred by our organization, the host family or the educational institution in terminating the program of a student will be the responsibility of the participant.

Copyright:

GIC Argentina reserves the right to use all possible photos taken during the student’s stay unless the student otherwise declines in writing.

Personal Information:

GIC Argentina reserves the right of sharing your personal information with the program providers, accommodations providers or other services related to your program where it is necesary for this information to be shared.

Liability:

GIC Argentina is not liable for any risks you may be exposed to during your trip and or while staying at the chosen schools. These risks may include, but are not limited to: personal injury, property damage, sickness, accidents, terrorism, and war. By submitting the registration form, you are assuming all risks and agreeing to indemnify and hold GIC Argentina and its employees harmless of any and all liability that may arise in GIC Argentina's programs inside and outside of Argentina.