Terms and Conditions for ISV Participants

  Each Participant must complete and submit the ISV Application.  Applications may be submitted: a) to an ISV Recruiter on campus, which requires a $10.00 fee for overnight mailing and expedited processing, b) mailed directly to the ISV office, or c) online under the “Apply Now!” link. There is no commitment in submitting an Application as each applicant must first be accepted to participate on an ISV Program. Within approximately 10 business days of receiving an Application, ISV will contact Applicant in regards to: a) acceptance into the Program, b) non-acceptance, or c) our need for more information. If accepted, ISV will notify Applicant by email and mail with the instructions for the next stage of the process - the completion of the ISV Program Agreement. The ISV Program Agreement must be completed and submitted to the ISV office with a $500.00 non-refundable, non-transferable deposit for the Standard 4 Week  Program or 2 Week Volunteer Program.  Participants may choose to customize their Standard 4 Week Program by selecting additional 2 Week Volunteer Project(s) and/or Adventure Tour(s). An additional $100.00 non-refundable, non-transferable deposit is required for each additional 2 Week Option selected. Please note that spaces are limited for each departure date in each host country. Therefore, ISV will accept participants on a first-come, first-served basis, in the order that their Agreement and deposit(s) are received. If Participant’s country and/or departure date preferences have changed since the Application, please indicate the new preferences on the Agreement in the section below the signature. The more flexible a Participant is with country and date preferences, the easier it will be for ISV to place Participant on a Program.

  Any participant who voluntarily leaves, or is removed from the ISV Program before the scheduled completion of their full Program, will not be refunded by ISV for any portion of their Program costs, nor will they be permitted to re-join the Program 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 program staff. This policy includes any participant being required to leave the ISV Program as requested by ISV staff for breach of contract, or for medical or personal reasons. Participants who leave the program 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 Program fees, depending on the reason for leaving. Participants who leave the program for medical reasons (illness or injury that requires medical treatment or a short stay in the hospital) may be permitted to re-join the ISV Program at the discretion of the ISV staff.

  The $500.00 non-refundable, non-transferable deposit (and any additional $100.00 deposit(s) for any added 2 Week Program Options) must be submitted with the signed ISV Program Agreement in order to participate on an ISV Program.  These monies will assure ISV of Participant’s commitment to participate in the Program and allow ISV to make the necessary arrangements and reservations.  Upon receipt of the completed Agreement and non-refundable, non-transferable deposit(s), ISV will reserve a place in a Program (subject to space availability).  Participant will then receive an Allocation Letter by email and mail which includes the assigned country(s), departure date(s) and further details about the ISV Program.

At no time will any monies be transferred from one Participant’s account to another.  Participants with financial difficulties may contact ISV to receive instructions on ISV’s payment plan for the deposit ($250.00 with the Agreement and $250.00 within 30 days).

  Any and all payments for the ISV Program cost (including donations) are due in the ISV office on or before 65 days prior to Participant’s departure date.

ISV will send a final invoice by email and mail approximately 80 days prior to Participant’s departure date.  The final invoice will reflect a summary of payments received and any balance due.  In the case of late payments, a $50.00 late fee may be charged.

If all monies are not received in the ISV office 65 days prior to departure, ISV will assume Participant has cancelled (unless prior arrangements have been made with the ISV office).  Participant will receive a Program cancellation notice and cancellation fees will apply (as specified in the Cancellation Policy below).  Once cancelled, Participant’s space on the host country and/or departure date is not guaranteed if Participant becomes reinstated.

  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 Program generally reflects the local cuisine. Some foods that are part of a regular diet at home may not be available.  Vegetarians can be accommodated.  Participants with more specific dietary requirements may need to supplement the included meals at their own expense. Participants with food allergies (e.g. nuts) must ensure that ISV is aware of the existence and severity of the allergy.  Participants must include dietary information on the Application or email it to the ISV office.

No reimbursements will be made for participants who miss their included meals.

Volunteer Project Three meals per day are provided on the Volunteer Project(s). Meals may be provided by the volunteer host organization, the host family, or prepared/planned by the participants.  The Project Overview (provided approximately 30 days prior to departure) will advise participants of the meals that can be expected on the project.

Adventure Tour At least half of the meals will be provided during the Adventure Tour(s).  The notation B,L, D is used in the Adventure Tour itinerary in the Travel Manual to indicate which meal(s) are included on each day (B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner).  ISV encourages participants to explore the local restaurants and eateries in their area.  Participants should make note of any health and safety information provided by their Tour Leader prior to trying new foods or restaurants.

  Participants on the ISV Program will have orientation meetings in their host country(s), one prior to the start of Participant's Volunteer Project(s) conducted by ISV and the host volunteer organization and one prior to the start of Participant's Adventure Tour(s) conducted by their ISV Tour Leader.  These orientation meetings are held in the host country and are designed to help prepare Participant for the Volunteer Project(s) and Adventure Tour(s).

  Participants are able to submit a Project Preference Form after being allocated to their host country and departure date.  Participants who do not submit a completed Project Preference Form to the ISV office by 75 days prior to departure are considered to have no project preferences.

ISV will strive to fulfill every project preference, however, please note that project assignment is dependent upon a number of factors, which often vary by host country. Common factors may include: Project availability: Not all projects are available on every departure date. Limited space: Maximum Participant numbers vary according to host country (average 8 to 15 participants per project). Friend preference: Placement on the same ISV Program as a friend(s). Academic credit: If Participant chooses to receive academic credit, Participant must be placed on an approved academic credit project with a qualified academic credit supervisor (Project Leader). Medical information: Medical needs and conditions are taken into consideration. ISV will make every effort to accommodate Participant’s project preference, however preferences cannot be guaranteed

  For some host countries, additional domestic transportation in the host country by air (or boat) may be required.  The cost of the additional in-country domestic transportation is added to Participant’s invoice, and ISV arranges the transportation.  Domestic transportation costs in the host country have been averaged to be fair to all participants (as suggested by past participants).

Note: Participants on a 2 Week Volunteer Program will be invoiced for the domestic transportation and are required to pay the cost 65 days prior to departure. If the assigned project does not require the additional domestic transportation, a refund of that cost will be issued to Participant at the end of the Program season.

  Participants are assigned to Volunteer Projects approximately 30 days prior to departure and a Project Overview is emailed to Participant at that time.  Project Overviews outline project goals, host organization background, accommodations, meals, volunteer tasks, suggested reading material, a packing list supplementary to the Travel Manual packing list, health and safety considerations, and much more.

An ISV Project Leader accompanies every ISV volunteer group.  The Project Leader's role is to liaise with the volunteer host organization and supervise participants’ safety and volunteer activities.  Project Leaders are also responsible for facilitating group discussion sessions and assisting Participants with their daily field journal.  Project Leaders will send an introductory email to participants approximately two weeks prior to departure.

If a dispute arises between the parties to the Program Agreement with regard to any of the provisions or the performance of any Terms and Conditions of the Agreement, all forms of dispute resolution, including mediation, arbitration and legal proceedings of any kind, shall be brought exclusively in Orange County, California.  The parties to the Program Agreement submit, agree and attorn to jurisdiction in Orange County, California in all forums for mediation, arbitration and legal proceedings, including California and federal court actions.  If a party brings any action or proceeding in any other location or forum other than Orange County, California, the other party shall have a right to have said action or proceeding transferred to Orange County, California by stipulation of the parties, and the party bringing the action or proceeding shall cooperate accordingly.

ISV offers Optional Excursions for most host countries.  Optional Excursions take place after the conclusion of the Adventure Tour and extend the length of Participant’s travel.  Excursion destinations include Fiji, Wild Africa and Ancient Cambodia.  Participants are required to take a flight organized by ISV in order to add an Excursion to their ISV Program.  Participants will be able to sign up for the Excursion available for their host country by submitting a $100.00 deposit and checking the appropriate box on the Flight/Options Form. Spaces for Excursions are limited and are available on a first-come, first-serve basis in the order that Flight/Options Forms and deposits are received.

  Cancellation of the Program must be in writing (by email or mail with confirmation of receipt by ISV).  No verbal cancellations will be accepted.  Participant must inform both ISV and his/her travel/trip cancellation insurance provider of cancellation.  If the reason for cancellation falls within the terms of Participant's insurance policy then his/her provider may refund Participant.  If Participant’s insurance claim is denied, Participant may then submit proof of denial to ISV, and the Cancellation Policy as follows will apply.

All deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable. Program arrangements require ISV to make financial commitments on Participant’s behalf in advance of the departure date.  When ISV receives Participant's written cancellation, a cancellation fee will be incurred to cover the expenses and costs suffered by ISV due to his/her cancellation.  The amount of the cancellation fee is determined by the number of days prior to Participant's departure date that the written cancellation notice is received and is specified as follows:

Cancellation DateISV Program Costs (Amounts Refundable)ISV Group Flight (Costs Amounts Refundable) On or before sixty (60) days prior to departure Program Costs, less Program deposit(s) Based upon the amount ISV is able to recover from airlines, less Flight deposit(s) Fifty-Nine (59) days to thirty (30) days prior to departure 50% of Program Costs, less Program deposit(s) Based upon the amount ISV is able to recover from airlines, less Flight deposit(s) Twenty Nine (29) days to fourteen (14) days prior to departure 25% of Program Costs, less Program deposit(s) Based upon the amount ISV is able to recover from airlines, less Flight deposit(s) Thirteen (13) days or less prior to departure 0% of Program Costs Based upon the amount ISV is able to recover from airlines, less Flight deposit(s)

Cancellation refunds will be processed at the END of the ISV Program term. Overpayment refunds will be processed once Participant’s account is audited.  Donations are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Participants who cancel their ISV Program will be issued a non-transferable $500.00 voucher valid towards an ISV Program within two years of the originally scheduled departure date.

The Program itinerary is subject to modification and change by ISV.  Every reasonable effort will be made to operate the Program as planned; however, should unforeseen world events and conditions require our itinerary to be altered or cancelled, ISV reserves the right to do so for the safety and best interest of the group.  If such issues arrive and ISV is forced to cancel a Program within 60 days of departure, no refund can be given by ISV.  ISV will issue Participant a non-transferable voucher for monies paid, valid towards an ISV Program within two years, or Participant may be reallocated to a different host country in the current Program season (subject to space availability).

  ISV requires all participants to secure travel/trip cancellation insurance.  Participants should compare and contrast policies from different suppliers and select a policy that meets their individual personal needs, and contains the policy conditions they require.  The preferred travel insurance carrier for ISV is Travel Guard.

Please read any insurance policy thoroughly to become familiar with the cancellation circumstances that may be covered.  These vary greatly from policy to policy.  ISV is not responsible for any travel/trip insurance actions, exclusions or omissions.

Participant is responsible for submitting proof of travel/trip cancellation insurance to the ISV office no later than 65 days prior to departure.

  ISV requires all participants to secure medical insurance which covers Participant while abroad for the duration of the ISV Program.  Participant may already be covered by a medical insurance policy.  If this is the case, please check the insurance policy to ensure it includes overseas coverage.  If Participant does not currently have medical insurance, a good option is to obtain travel/trip cancellation insurance that includes medical coverage.

Participant is responsible for submitting proof of medical insurance to the ISV office no later than 65 days prior to departure.

If Participant has a pre-existing or current medical condition and/or allergies, Participant must advise the ISV office on the Application or by email.