Choose One Acceptance Criteria Cancellation Policy Deposits Financial Due Dates Orientation Pre-Departure Registration in Los Angeles Programme Costs Travel Dates Travel & Trip Cancellation Insurance Meals

ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA:

• Each participant must complete and submit an ISV UK Application. Applications may be submitted online on the ISV website (see Apply Now link), or Applications may be mailed to the ISV UK office. There is no commitment in submitting an Application as each participant must first be accepted into the ISV Programme before he/she may participate.

• Within approximately 10 business days of receiving an Application, ISV will contact applicant in regards to: a) Acceptance into the Programme, b) Non-acceptance, or c) Our need for more information from you.

• If accepted, accompanying the Acceptance Letter and e-mail will be instructions directing participant to the next stage of the process, the completion of the ISV Programme Agreement. The ISV Programme Agreement must be signed and returned to the ISV UK office with a £200 non-refundable, non-transferable deposit.  For each additional Two-Week Volunteer Work Project or Adventure Tour (Customised Programme) you may choose to add to your ISV Standard Programme, there will be an additional £100 non-refundable deposit required.

  ISV will accept participants that we feel will make a valuable contribution to the ISV Programme. ISV looks for certain qualities in those who apply:

• Applicants who are motivated to learn about the cultures and peoples of the country they are visiting, and the local issues regarding conservation or social community development. During their ISV Programme, all participants will be required to join in group discussions on relevant issues and to keep a daily journal reflecting that which they are learning.

• Applicants with a strong desire to give of themselves as they volunteer in the process of making a significant contribution to conservation efforts or children and families of developing communities.

  Undergraduates, as well as graduates, may apply.

  Non-students may also apply if they meet the criteria as stated above.

  All participants under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian’s signature on the Programme Agreement in order to participate on the ISV Programme.

  Please be advised that departure dates and spaces are limited for each Volunteer Work Project in each host country. Therefore, ISV will accept participants on a first come first served basis, in order that Agreements are received. When spaces are filled to capacity, participants will be placed on a waiting list and all non-refundable, non-transferable deposits will be returned to them.

CANCELLATION POLICY:

Cancellation of the Programme must be in writing (e-mail or mail). No verbal cancellations will be accepted. When ISV receives a written cancellation, a cancellation fee will be incurred to cover the expenses and costs suffered by ISV because of the cancellation. The amount of the cancellation fee is determined by the number of days prior to the departure date of participant’s host country that the written cancellation notice is received and is specified as follows:

If the reason for cancellation falls within the terms of your travel/trip cancellation insurance policy then the carrier will normally refund any cancellation fees to participant. All refunds will be given at the END of the ISV Summer Programme term. (October – November)

* Airfare is not included within this cancellation policy. Refunds for airfare will be based upon the amount ISV is able to recover from airlines, vendors and operators.

Participants who leave the ISV Programme before its completion:

Any participant who voluntarily leaves, or is removed from the ISV Programme before the scheduled completion of their full Programme, will not be refunded by ISV for any portion of their Programme costs, nor will they be permitted to rejoin the Programme at any time during the Volunteer Work Project, or the outdoor Adventure Tour, including optional excursions and activities. ISV cannot assume responsibility for any participant once they have left the supervision of the ISV Programme staff. This policy includes any participant being required to leave the ISV Programme as requested by ISV staff for breach of contract, or for medical or personal reasons. Participants who leave the Programme due to medical or personal reasons (injury/illness or family crisis at home), should consult their travel insurance provider, which may provide for partial or full recovery of their Programme fees, depending on the reason for leaving. Participants who leave the Programme for medical reasons (illness or injury that requires medical treatment or a short stay in the hospital) may be permitted to rejoin the ISV Programme at the discretion of the ISV staff.

DEPOSITS:
The ISV non-refundable, non-transferable deposit of £200(and any additional £100 deposits for the Customised Programme Options), must be submitted with the signed Agreement. These monies will assure ISV of the desire to participate in the Programme and enable us to make the necessary programme arrangements and reservations for a participant. Upon receipt of the non-refundable, non-transferable deposit(s), and the signed Programme Agreement (and subject to space availability), ISV will reserve the participant a spot in our Programme and e-mail them a confirmation letter. Included in the confirmation letter will be the departure date(s) and assigned country(s).

NOTE: If you only have one country preference and one date preference, then you must indicate this in writing on your signed Programme Agreement and send it to the ISV UK office. If we are unable to reserve this space for you, we will immediately return your deposit(s) and place you on a waiting list. The more flexible you are in terms of your country preference and departure dates, the easier it is for our ISV office to assign you your preferences.

At no time will any monies be transferred from one participant’s account to another. Participants with a cash flow problem may contact ISV to receive instructions on ISV’s payment plan for the deposit (£100 now and an additional £100 within 30 days).

*DOMESTIC & INTERNATIONAL Airfares and Air Taxes are not included in the ISV Programme Cost.
(Two-Week Volunteer Work Project Only:  For those who are only available or interested in participating in a two-week volunteer work project, please contact the ISV UK office by email at isvuk@isvonline.com or call us at 020 8206 6021 for more information.)

FINANCIAL DUE DATES:
All payments towards costs (including donations) are due in the ISV UK office on or before sixty-five (65) days prior to departure to your host country.

ISV will send a final statement 80 days prior to the departure date to participant’s host country, reflecting the total amount received through private payments or donations from that participant and any balance due. All costs quoted are in Great British Pounds.

Participants may make payments towards their cost balance at any time prior to the sixty-five (65) day “prior to departure date” deadline.

If all monies are not received in the ISV office 65 days prior to departure, ISV will assume the participant has cancelled and cancellation fees (as specified above) will apply. In the case of late payments, a £20 late fee will be charged.

MEALS ON THE ISV Programme

Trying a variety of foods from other cultures can be fun and a challenge, and is part of ISV’s philosophy for an authentic experience overseas. Food on the ISV Programme generally reflects the local cuisine. Some foods that are part of your regular diet at home may not be available and you may have to include food that is new to you in order to maintain a balanced diet. Vegetarians are easily provided for; however, ISV is unable to cater to very specific diets. Participants with food allergies (i.e. nuts) must ensure that ISV is aware of the existence and severity of the allergy. Include this information on your ISV Application form or e-mail the ISV office if you are already signed up for the Programme. Participants with specific dietary requirements may need to supplement their included meals at their own expense.

Important reminder:  All participants must ensure that ISV has recorded their dietary needs (i.e. vegetarian) prior to departure to their host country. Please also include any allergies to foods as part of your dietary and medical information.

Volunteer Project
Three meals per day are provided on the Volunteer Projects.  Each project is a little different. Sometimes host organisations provide the food to volunteers (such as via host families), while other projects require participants to contribute to the meal planning and preparation.  Your ISV Project Overview (provided approximately 30 days prior to departure to your host country) will advise you of the meals you can expect on your project.

Adventure Tour
The number of meals provided during the Adventure Tour varies depending on the host country, but as part of your Programme cost, you will be provided with at least half of your meals.  For all other meals, we encourage participants to explore the local restaurants and eateries in their area. Participants should make note of any health and safety information provided by their ISV Tour Leaders prior to trying new foods or restaurants.

Note: Be on time for meals! No reimbursements will be made for participants who miss their included meals by choosing not to attend or are late.

ORIENTATION:
All ISV participants will have a “Project Orientation” upon arrival in their host country. Details will be provided to participants in their Travel Manual which will be sent 30 days prior to the departure date to their host country.

PRE-DEPARTURE ORIENTATION MEETINGS:
Pre-Departure Orientations will be conducted in major UK cities (location details and times to be provided).  This Pre-Departure Orientation serves two important purposes:  First, it allows participants to meet other UK participants from their area who will be going on ISV Programmes.  Secondly, it allows ISV to prepare participants for their volunteer work project and outdoor adventure tour.  This is a valuable time to address any last-minute questions that participants might have.  An additional orientation will be conducted upon arrival in participants host country.

Programme COSTS:

The "Standard" ISV Programme: The ISV “Standard” Programme is four weeks in length, consisting of a Two-Week Volunteer Work Project and a Two-Week Adventure Tour.  The cost is £1,595 regardless of the country you choose to visit.

The “Customized ISV Programme: ISV participants may add to their “Standard” Programme by choosing one or more additional Two-Week Volunteer Work Projects and/or Two-Week Adventure Tours. This may take place in as many as two other ISV Programme countries.

Additional costs to add each Two-Week Volunteer Work Project(s) and/or Adventure Tour(s) to your Standard ISV Four-week Week Programme:

• ISV Volunteer Work Projects: All additional ISV Two-Week Volunteer Work Projects cost £635 regardless of the country you choose to visit.
• ISV Adventure Tours: All additional ISV Adventure Tours cost £700, regardless of the country you choose to visit.

*DOMESTIC & INTERNATIONAL Airfares and Air Taxes are not included in the ISV Program Cost.

Two-Week Volunteer Work Project Only:  For those who are only available or interested in participating in a Two-Week Volunteer Work Project, please contact the ISV UK office by email at isvuk@isvonline.com or call us at 020 8206 6021 for more information.

TRAVEL DATES:
Please note that the dates may vary slightly depending on airline negotiations & changing flight schedules.

RETURN DATES:
Return dates will automatically be set to coincide with the end of the Programme. If you wish to extend your travels in your ISV Programme country, you must inform the ISV UK office in writing of your desired return date no later than 90 days prior to your departure date. Any changes to airline tickets within 90 days of departure are subject to availability and will incur a change fee. Approximately 30 days prior to departure, your international airline ticket(s) will be issued.

TRAVEL & TRIP CANCELLATION INSURANCE:
ISV requires all participants to secure travel/trip cancellation insurance. Travel/trip cancellation insurance may be obtained from any campus travel agency.

Participants should compare and contrast policies from different suppliers and select a policy that meets their individual personal and financial needs, and contains the policy conditions they require.

Please read any insurance policy thoroughly to become familiar with the cancellation circumstances that may be covered. These vary greatly from policy to policy.

NOTE: Many travel/trip cancellation insurance companies require participants to purchase coverage within 14 days after receiving his/her assigned Programme and date via e-mail. Failure to purchase travel/trip cancellation insurance within 14 days after receiving his/her assigned Programme and date via e-mail may result in the loss of some benefits available under the “Buy Early Feature” of some policies. It is highly recommended that participants purchase travel/trip cancellation insurance within 14 days after receiving his/her assigned Programme and date via e-mail.

Proof of Travel/Trip Cancellation insurance must be submitted to the ISV office no later than sixty-five (65) days prior to the participant’s departure date to their host country.