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Terms and Conditions

Teach Abroad Program Regulations

As an applicant to a CIEE Teach Abroad Program, I am aware that my participation on the Program is contingent upon my understanding and agreement to uphold the CIEE Teach Abroad Program Terms and Conditions below.

1. The applicant agrees that all the information provided in the application is true to the best of their knowledge and acknowledges that any false or misleading information may lead to immediate dismissal from the Program.


2. CIEE reserves the right to refuse any applicant who does not meet the specific Program eligibility requirements or any applicant that CIEE does not deem appropriate to accept in the general interests of the Program. In the event that CIEE refuses an applicant acceptance on the Program, the application fee will not be refunded.


3. CIEE makes no presentation or warranty of any kind, expressed or implied, as to the suitability of the Program for any participant and CIEE disclaims all such warranties to the full extent permitted by law.


4. While CIEE can recommend matches and specific placements to the Hosting authorities, CIEE does not have the ability to make placement decisions. All final placement decisions are made by the local officials and communicated to CIEE.


5. The participant must be prepared to accept the placement offered by CIEE. While every effort will be made to fulfill placement requests, CIEE cannot guarantee that all requests will be met.


6. The participant agrees to pay all fees in full before departure, in accordance with the guidelines set out in the Application Process and Placement Process.


7. The participant is required to attend the Program orientation in their host country.


8. Participants who withdraw from the Program after accepting their placement are liable to pay cancellation charges as outlined in the Withdrawal and Refund Policy below (#24).


9. All travel arrangements, including flight bookings, are subject to the terms, conditions and cancellation policies of the travel or tour organizer or airline. Under no circumstances is CIEE responsible for any flight cancellation or flight change charges incurred.


10. In the event that a participant does not complete the term of his/her contract with the host institution for any reason, CIEE is not obligated to refund any part of the participant’s fees.


11. CIEE reserves the right to dismiss from the Program any participant who is deemed, by CIEE, the host institution, or local authorities, to be a danger to themselves or others or whose conduct is deemed to be detrimental to the Program or their host institution. In the event of such dismissal, CIEE shall not be held responsible for any airfare, charges, or any other expenses incurred by the participant, and shall not be required to return any fees paid by the participants.


12. CIEE cannot refund fees should a participant decide, after arrival in country, that he or she is unsuitable for participation on the Program.


13. All conditions of contract and the availability of all positions are subject to change without notice.


14. The participant shall be responsible for and held liable for all of his or her acts along with any loss or damage that results from those acts while he or she is on the Program. In the event that CIEE, its affiliates and overseas cooperators, the host institution, and or any respective employees, agents and representatives of any of these entities suffer any loss or damages as a result of the acts of the participant, then the participant agrees to indemnify the party that suffered such loss or damages. Such claim for indemnification shall cover any and all reasonable claims, causes of action, judgments, losses, costs or expenses which may be made against any of the parties listed or which said parties may suffer or incur as a result of or relating to any acts of the participant.


15. The participant is responsible for considering his or her personal health and safety needs when applying for or accepting a place on the Program. If the participant suffers from any health or other condition that would create a risk for them while abroad, he or she should not apply.


16. The participant must supply CIEE with the name and contact details of next of kin, to be contacted in the case of an emergency.


17. The participant is responsible for reading and carefully considering all materials made available that relate to safety, health, legal, environmental, political, cultural and religious customs and conditions in their host community; and must be aware of local conditions that may present health or safety risks when making daily choices and decisions. Each participant must take full responsibility in the event that laws, regulations, or customs are broken, regardless of foreknowledge.


18. Participation on the Program begins on the first day of orientation in country or the first day a participant is required to be at their assigned school, whichever date is earlier, and the Program ends on the last day of a participant’s (initial) teaching assignment.


19. It should be understood by the participant that the working and living conditions abroad are likely to be very different to those in the participant’s home country, and in some instances may be quite basic. Much of the information concerning the Program, the host institution, and the host country is provided to CIEE by the host institution or others. While CIEE believes this information to be generally correct, CIEE cannot guarantee its accuracy or timeliness and thus makes no representations or warranties about these statements or the actual conditions.


20. Certain host institutions may be in isolated locations and may have limited facilities and transportation links. The participant agrees to accept his or her living conditions and to respect the host institution’s guidelines and policies, including those with regard to conduct, delinquency, salary and terms of employment.


21. Although CIEE operates this Program, other terms and conditions applicable to the participant will be contained in a separate contract between the participant and the host institution. CIEE will endeavor to monitor compliance with the contract by the host institution; however, CIEE has no power or authority to enforce compliance by the host institution, and shall not be responsible for any failure by the host institution to comply with such contract.


22. All travel before, during and after the Program is at the participant’s own risk. Any participant who chooses to operate motorized vehicles is responsible for obtaining the necessary license, permission and insurance and does so at his or her own risk.


23. While CIEE will always endeavor to fulfill its responsibilities, CIEE cannot accept liability or responsibility for any alterations, delay or cancellation caused by threat of war, fire, sickness, bad weather, acts of government or public authority or other circumstances amounting to a “force majeure”.


24. Withdrawal and Refund Policy
    
    
    1. The $50 application fee is non-refundable.
    2. The $500 ($1000 with TEFL option) commitment deposit is non-refundable. *The $1,000 deposit goes towards TEFL certification and cannot be refunded after the participant has been enrolled in the TEFL course. TEFL certification is required for select programs and enrollment in the course may be required before a teaching placement has been assigned.
    3. If written notice of cancellation is received by CIEE Portland within 30 days of teaching offer, 50% of the final fee installment will be refunded.
    4. No refunds will be granted after 30 days of teaching offer.
    5. No refunds will be granted within 45 days of the program start date.
25. Teach in China/Teach in Thailand Applicants
    
    1. CIEE allows a one-time deferral of acceptance to the next departure if written notification is received 60 days prior to departure.
    2. The host institution is responsible for covering the return flight stipend or contract completion bonus, if indicated in the contract between the participant and the host organization. This applies to Teach in China participants who depart in either February (two-semester) or August (academic year), but for Teach in Thailand, it only applies to those who depart in May (academic year). Host institutions are not bound to cover one-way flight costs to those participants who agree on an initial one-semester contract and extend for a further semester at the same institution. Participants who agree to work an academic year contract and change host institutions during that time forfeit any covering of the cost of the return portion of their flight.
26. On some programs it is possible to extend/transfer. Should a participant choose to renew on the Program for a further term, the participant is responsible for paying CIEE the appropriate extension/transfer fee in order to remain a participant on the Program. Contracts can be extended/transferred for a total of three consecutive semesters, not to exceed 19 months. Extension/Transfer Fees listed below include insurance coverage:
    
    
    1. Extensions
    • one additional semester (same school) - $450
    • two additional semesters* (same school) - $650
    2. Transfers - following completion of initial assignment
    • one additional semester (new school) - $550
    • two additional semesters* (new school) - $750
    • *Option available only to teachers who initially enrolled in a 5-month/ one semester contract

All applicants must confirm acceptance of the conditions set out above on the application to the program.

Questions? Do not hesitate to contact a program specialist at teach@ciee.org or by phone at 1-800-407-8839.