Updated September 6, 2022
Thank you for applying for placement on a Performing Arts Abroad program! We are committed to providing you with quality support as you prepare for a unique and rewarding experience abroad. To ensure your participation is as fulfilling as possible and to protect your interests, we have laid out the following terms and conditions. Please note that each Program may have additional conditions that apply to that specific placement.
Application Instructions
If you are applying for a Study Abroad program, an unofficial transcript may be required. A resume is required for most Applicants. Please be sure to note specific skills or training in the performing arts, as well as any foreign language competency. Upon receipt of the application and application deposit, we will review your materials and decide whether to continue with your process. If the quality of your application meets our standards, we may contact you to schedule an interview over Zoom. Performing Arts Abroad will contact all Applicants within 2 weeks of completing your application to notify you of our acceptance decision. Applications will not be considered without the application deposit.
Application and Payment Deadlines
Applications are accepted throughout the year and are subject to limited space availability. Placement deadlines are based on the dates of the desired Program. Some Programs and project placements fill up prior to their published application deadlines. Apply early to secure your position.
Internships: If accepted, a non-refundable internship placement deposit of $500 will be due upon accepting our offer. This is not an additional fee; it will be applied toward the total cost of the program.
Training / Intensive programs: If accepted, a program confirmation deposit of $500 will be due upon accepting our offer. This is not an additional fee; it will be applied toward the total cost of the program. This deposit confirms your spot and ensures you will not be moved to a waitlist if the program fills. If a confirmed applicant drops out or fails to make a payment on time, waitlisted applicants will be moved to the confirmed list in the order they were waitlisted, contingent upon timely payment of amount owed up to that point.
Program Dates, Costs and What’s Included are specified in each program page on our website.
Program Flexibility
Performing Arts Abroad is not a standard travel or tour company. With our Programs, each volunteer and internship placement is unique, and thus sometimes cannot be implemented exactly as planned for a variety of reasons. There are many factors, though closely monitored, that are beyond our control. Applicants are advised that these variables may require changes before or during a Program. One of the distinct aspects of working under these conditions is the challenge and opportunity to adapt to changes and overcome obstacles as they are presented.
Refund Policy
The Application Deposit will be applied towards the total Program Fee if accepted to the program. The Application Deposit is non-refundable for all Applicants, regardless of whether you are accepted or if the program runs successfully. If the Applicant cancels for any reason, the Applicant must notify Performing Arts Abroad in writing. The cancellation will be effective upon receipt of the written notification by Performing Arts Abroad.
Arts for Social Change programs refund policy
- Withdrawing more than 60 days prior to program start will result in a refund of all fees paid less the application fee and bank fees paid.
- Withdrawing between 6 weeks and 60 days prior to program start will result in a refund of all recoverable fees paid less the application fee and bank fees paid.
- Withdrawing fewer than 6 weeks prior to program start will result in no refund.
Study Abroad programs refund policy
- Withdrawing more than 60 days prior to program start will result in a refund of all fees paid less the application fee and bank fees paid.
- Withdrawing between 6 weeks and 60 days prior to program start will result in a refund of all recoverable fees paid less the application fee and bank fees paid.
- Withdrawing fewer than 6 weeks prior to program start will result in no refund.
Internships
- Withdrawing more than 60 days prior to program start will result in a refund of all fees paid less the application fee, $500 internship placement deposit, and bank fees paid.
- Withdrawing between 6 weeks and 60 days prior to program start will result in a refund of all recoverable fees paid less the application fee, $500 internship placement deposit, and bank fees paid.
- Withdrawing fewer than 6 weeks prior to program start will result in no refund.
Training / Intensive programs
- Withdrawing more than 6 weeks prior to program start will result in a refund of all fees paid less the application fee, bank fees paid, and any non-refundable payments as stated on the individual program page on our website.
- Withdrawing fewer than 6 weeks prior to program start will result in no refund.
Trip Cancellations
Performing Arts Abroad reserves the right to cancel any Program if there are insufficient registrants or if Performing Arts Abroad determines it is in the best interest of the applicant’s safety and quality of programming to cancel the Program. Performing Arts Abroad is not responsible for other costs incurred by Applicants preparing for the trip, including the purchase of airfare. As such, Performing Arts Abroad strongly suggests purchasing trip insurance when booking airfare. Should a program be cancelled for any reason, Applicants will be offered the option of positions in other Performing Arts Abroad Programs or a full refund on all fees paid.
Force Majeure
Neither Party will be liable for any failure or delay in performing an obligation under this Agreement that is due to any of the following causes, to the extent beyond its reasonable control: acts of God, accident, riots, war, terrorist act, epidemic, pandemic, quarantine, civil commotion, breakdown of communication facilities, breakdown of web host, breakdown of internet service provider, natural catastrophes, governmental acts or omissions, changes in laws or regulations, national strikes, fire, explosion, generalized lack of availability of raw materials or energy.
For the avoidance of doubt, Force Majeure shall not include (a) financial distress nor the inability of either party to make a profit or avoid a financial loss, (b) changes in market prices or conditions, or (c) a party’s financial inability to perform its obligations hereunder.
Release of Liability and Assumption of Risks
In organizing and managing volunteer projects, internship placements, training placements, group and individual courses, and study abroad placements, Performing Arts Abroad, its agents, employees, and staff act solely on behalf of and for the benefit of the Applicants, on the express agreement that Performing Arts Abroad shall not be liable, financially or otherwise, for non-performance or unsatisfactory service; for the injury to persons including death, for loss of or damage to property, for accident or delay, and/or for expenses arising from strikes, weather, quarantine, sickness, government regulation, civil unrest or war, or from any act or omission of Performing Arts Abroad agents or employees, and/or airline, mail services, rail, bus company, vehicle rental entity, hotel, restaurant, or other supplier of service. By submitting a paid application the Applicant assumes all of these risks and agrees to indemnify Performing Arts Abroad, its officers, directors, and employees harmless for any and all liability that may arise in connection with participation in the Performing Arts Abroad Programs. Performing Arts Abroad reserves the right to refuse any Applicant admission to any Program if deemed ill-suited for the Program. Important Program information will be sent to the email address provided on the application. Photographs, videotapes, and/or statements of Applicants may be used in promoting Performing Arts Abroad.
Travel Documents and Insurance
All Applicants must possess a valid passport for their trip. Applicants are responsible for any costs associated with visas, airport taxes, obtaining the proper travel documents for their trip, and changes to flight itineraries. Performing Arts Abroad provides comprehensive travel health insurance for each Participant through an organization called Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI). Details regarding the insurance will be provided to the Applicant upon acceptance into the program, and it is the Applicant’s responsibility to review this information, and make any changes or additions through CISI if deemed necessary, at the Applicant’s expense.
Behavioral Expectations
By joining a Performing Arts Abroad Program, the Participant assumes certain obligations to Performing Arts Abroad, the host community, and other Program Participants. If on-site Program directors determine a Participant fails to meet the behavioral expectations set out in our Policies and Procedures (which all Participants sign upon acceptance to their Program), that Participant will be asked to leave the Program. Participants asked to leave under these circumstances will not receive a refund. In addition to other Program responsibilities, as a Program Participant you are responsible for:
-Being in sufficient good health to undertake the Program.
-Acting in an appropriate and respectful manner towards the local people, fellow travellers, Program Participants, and staff in accordance with the customs, laws, regulations, and ordinances of the country and community of placement.
-Communicating effectively your interests, skills, limitations, and needs to home community members and Program staff members.
Age
Participants must be aged 18 years or over upon beginning a Performing Arts Abroad program, unless applying for one of our programs specifically geared toward unaccompanied minors. A copy of the Participant’s passport must be submitted prior to the commencement of the Program to verify age. Performing Arts Abroad reserves the right to cancel an application or terminate a placement without refund if it is discovered that false proof has been supplied.
Disclosure
All Participants must disclose any pre-existing or existing medical conditions (including depression and eating disorders) and disabilities. Any medical conditions arising after application and prior to placement must be disclosed to Performing Arts Abroad prior to placement commencement. Performing Arts Abroad reserves the right to refuse application based on these disclosures if deemed necessary. Performing Arts Abroad reserves the right to cancel an application or terminate a placement without refund if false information or lack of disclosure is found to have been supplied. Performing Arts Abroad is not held responsible for the administration or monitoring of any medication.
While Performing Arts Abroad makes every effort to establish safety conditions and risk assessment, Participants are warned that the general standards of health, safety and hygiene in many countries visited may not be of comparable standard to the United States and hence a risk of injury and illness may be inherent to certain Programs.