We work with high-quality linguistic and cultural education programs around the world.  This program is a commitment of at least one year.  Our refund policy is very strict.  Please be absolutely certain when registering that you and your family are ready, willing, and able to make this commitment. 

 

Payment Policy- 

• In order to secure your spot, you must pay your $500 registration fee for each participant upon registration. This registration fee is not refundable for any reason.

• Any discounts will be applied to your monthly payments or if paying in full, will be deducted from your total.

• If you choose not to pay in full, your payments will be due the 15th of each month with your last payment being due April 15th for summer programs, or 90 days before departure on all other programs. 

• Please keep in mind that monthly payments may add up to more than the total quoted cost of the program due to monthly processing fees and fluctuation in the exchange rate.

• Late registrations will depend on availability and could cost significantly more than the quoted price of the program.

• No cancellations after April 15th for summer programs or 90 days before departure on all programs, whichever comes first.  Cancelations after these dates or failure to comply with program requirements will not receive any form of refund.

• It is the responsibility of the participants to secure funding and make payments on time.

• Payments must be made on time.  In the case that there are three late payments in a row, your reservation will be canceled without a refund.

• It is the responsibility of the participants to turn in all required travel paperwork on time.  Failure to do so may result in the cancelation of your program without a refund.

• Please note that due to Covid-19, the exchange rate, and other things happening in the world, it is possible that the cost of the program may fluctuate and end up being more than what was originally quoted.  Our staff of volunteers will communicate changes to you in a timely manner and provide options.  

• We do not make a profit off of any of our programs.  What you pay to LW5S Education is what we are quoted from our partners.  Our programs in Senegal are owned by LW5S ED and all money paid is our cost for paying Senegalese people to work for us in Senegal and the cost of transportation, lodging, and education. It is for this reason that on-time payment is essential and why we do not have the ability to refund.  

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Refund Policy-

There are no refunds for any reason.  Our vendors do not refund so we cannot refund.

In the case that the program is canceled due to COVID-19, your registration will be postponed to the following year’s dates or, in some cases, you will be given the option to change to a different program (this option is contingent upon if we have paid the current program partner or not).  The only exception is if there is a program cancellation that cannot be postponed to travel within two years following the original program dates.  A program cancellation means that one or more of the program partners abroad has opted to cancel the entire program rather than postpone.  This does not apply to individual participants or private group cancellations.

While we understand that unforeseen circumstances do happen occasionally, because we work with international vendors, refunds are not able to be made once they have been paid out.  All of our vendors are paid immediately, and in full for each participant.  Our travel staff are all volunteers, including those who plan the programs and make the reservations.  Any abusive e-mails, harassment, inappropriate language, or inappropriate behavior toward the travel staff will result in the immediate removal of the participant from the program without a refund. 

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- If we booked your airfare, in most cases the reservations are changeable but NOT refundable.  In the case of a change or cancelation, the airline will issue a travel voucher to be used within one year.  We cannot refund you any money paid to the airline.  For a refund from the airline you will need to call them yourself to negotiate.  We have no control over the airline and their policies.

- Any overpayment for missed activities, extra requests, or other misc. items will not be reimbursed  however LW5S has the right to bill you up to 365 days past the last day of your trip to recoup any extra funds incurred during your trip by the organization.

- Any special requests must be made via e-mail or WhatsApp, in writing, and paid before and/or during your trip or billed up to 365 days past your trip. 

- You must read through the entire policy to find out if you are entitled to a reimbursement. Any financial requests after the last day of your trip must fall within 60 days past your return date from our program. The organization has up to one year to determine if the request is valid and can be granted.

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Additional Information and Policies

• If you choose to extend your stay in any of the countries or programs- i.e. arrive earlier than the start of the program or leave later than the last day of the program, you are responsible for your own accommodations.  In some cases, we can assist you with this for an extra fee.  

• For all of our programs, you will need a passport that is valid 6 months beyond your return date.  For some of our programs, you will need a VISA and/or vaccinations.  It is your responsibility to research and make sure you have a valid passport and the proper VISA and vaccinations to travel to the destination.  LW5S and our partners are not responsible for making sure you have the proper documents.  We advise you to listen to our advice and apply for any needed documents in a timely manner, failure to do so will result in the cancelation of your program without refund.   We cannot legally give you medical advice on travel vaccinations, and we advise you to consult the US Dept of State and the CDC's websites for destination-specific information.  We also suggest you consult a travel doctor.  You are responsible for all fees associated with travel documents and vaccinations- they are not included in the price of your travel.

• You must provide a copy of your passport by the travel paperwork due date.  Minors traveling must also provide a copy of a parent or guardian's passport. If you do not have a passport at the time of program registration, you must apply immediately as the US Department of State is experiencing significant delays and it can take up to six months to get a passport, even when paying for expedited service.

• All participants ages 5 and over are required to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19.  All participants ages 5 and over will be required to provide proof of vaccination.  Refusal to provide proof of vaccination and/or vaccination refusal will result in the cancelation of your reservation without refund. Every participant age 16 and older must be fully vaccinated and boosted against Covid-19.

• You are responsible for procuring travel insurance.  Some destinations require travel insurance, and many of our partners require it.  Travel insurance is not included in the price of the trips.  You must provide proof of travel insurance.  We suggest using Volunteer Card.  

• You will be asked to fill out additional travel documents and paperwork both from LW5S and our travel partners.  This paperwork must be turned in on time. Failure to do so will result in program cancelation without refund.

• LW5S Education is a 501c3 nonprofit organization run by a team of volunteers. We make every attempt to communicate with program participants in a transparent, timely, and responsible manner.  Failure to read communications regarding your program and failure to comply with program requirements is on you. It is your responsibility to do what is required in a timely manner and if you do not, you accept the risk that our. program partners may cancel your trip without a refund.