Enrollment in the Program

Building Sustainable Borders  (B.S.B.) recommends that you register as early as possible for any program you are interested in. During certain times of the year, summer for example, excursions fill up quickly. By registering in advance, you can insure yourself a spot in one of the programs BSB  is offering.

To register for any program you must do the following:

• Complete an Building Sustainable Borders (BSB) enrollment application. Enrollment applications can be found on our website or in the documentation we email out.
• With your completed application include a $75 non-refundable registration fee. The registration fee is NOT included in the program cost and is an additional expense.
• After you have submitted the registration and been confirmed, you will still need to pay the balance of the program cost PRIOR to the start of your program. You will receive an invoice from us which will allow you to pay the balance of your program online. If you prefer not to pay online you can mail in a check, fax in a payment form, or transfer money to our bank account.

The Application and Confirmation Process

You will normally receive a confirmation by email from our office within 24-48 hours after we receive your registration (except for over the weekend or holidays when our office is closed).

The confirmation email will contain attached files with information about you trip , information about the best way to arrive at your location, and school specific information. Note: Do not purchase an airline ticket until you VISA application has been approved by the US Embassy in the Dominican Republic or Haiti.

As soon as we know the details of your arrival (specific flight information, etc.) we will notify you through a email. We will assist you and in order to prepare your accommodations and arrange for airport pickup service.

The confirmation emails contains your enrollment confirmation, provides you separate email you will receive an invoice that will allow you to pay the balance of your program online.

In most cases you will receive the information about your specific accommodation about 1 week PRIOR to your START DATE. This information will be sent to you via email (if you do not have email other arrangements can be made). with a listing of the costs of your program, will provides accommodation information (if available at that time), and includes any other relevant information about the school and/or your program

** When receiving any correspondence from Building Sustainable Borders please carefully review all information (start date, # of weeks, etc.) to make sure that everything is correct! If you find an error, you must contact our office immediately!

Refunds

The $75 registration fee paid to Building Sustainable Borders is non-refundable. If Building Sustainable if you are not able to , you will be issued a full refund of your registration fee. All other payments made to Building Sustainable Borders  are 85% refundable if you send us a written cancellation notice more than 21 days prior to your start date.

Note: Your program start date is the day your USA Visa’s are approved accommodations or classes start (whichever comes first).

Notices received less then 21 days away from your start date will incur a 25% penalty (you will receive your entertainment, transportation, meals, housing payment minus a 25% penalty).

In the case of personal emergencies, notify Building Sustainable Borders in writing, and upon review of the particular circumstances, we may issue a partial refund.

If you cancel 4 days (or less) prior your start date you are entitled to no refund. Example: Your accommodations start on Sunday. If you cancel on the Wednesday before that Sunday you will receive NO REFUND. Related to this, any cancellations made on the start date or later also means that you are entitled to no refund from Spanish Abroad, Inc. When you combine 2 or more locations and/or programs, you are entitled to no refund on any program once the first program has begun.

Arrival and Departure Dates

day you will receive NO REFUND. Related to this, any cancellations made on the start date or later also means that you are entitled to no refund from BSB. When you combine 2 or more locations and/or programs, you are entitled to no refund on any program once the first program has begun.

Arrival and Departure Dates

Generally speaking, you should arrive 1 day before classes begin and depart either on the last day of classes, or the day after (we recommend the latter). So plan an arriving on the Sunday prior to your first Monday class and departing on the Saturday after your final Friday class.

For those of you that would like to arrive earlier or stay later, normally it will not be a problem to stay at the university at an additional cost.  There will be of course a fee charged for any extra days you require.

**Check with us for full details if you plan on staying longer than the duration of your immersion program.

Cultural Activities & Organized Activities

The large majority of the schools will offer students a variety of complimentary activities. Activities may include dance classes, trips to local museums, lectures, etc. For those activities taking place outside the school there may be minor fees the student needs to pay. These extra fees typically cover expenses such as transportation and entrance fees. If a school offers weekend activities such as day trips or full weekend excursions, the student will be responsible for paying the full cost of this excursion.

Text Books & Study Materials

The cost of books and/or study materials are included in your program price for most locations. There are some exceptions to this rule depending on location and/or the length of time of your program. Books at these locations will cost anywhere from $40-60. You should also note that some schools will “lend” books/study materials. In these cases the schools will ask for a deposit that will be refunded to the student upon the return of the books/study materials at the completion of the program.

Class Hours

BSB  uses hours per day, lessons per day, sessions per day, and classes per day when describing program options. Under any of these descriptions actual time spent in class will vary from 45-60 minutes per hour (depending on the school). How a school arranges the class break times is up to their discretion. At one of our program for instance , students are in class from 9 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  There is a break from 12 p.m. to 1:00p.m. .

Note:  However due to scheduling and at certain times of the summer session the classes could be extended or shorten.

Behavior Expectations

Any participant of a Spanish language immersion program is expected to be courteous and respectful guests. Under no circumstances will illegal drug use be tolerated. Consumption of alcoholic beverages by minors will not be tolerated. Abusive behavior by a participant will not be tolerated. If the language school you are attending is made aware of such a situation, the school reserves the right to refuse to serve and/or terminate the program of any person not abiding by these regulations. In addition if the Spanish language school is notified of a situation where a participant is not complying with the policies of their particular program providers (school, tour operator, program organizer, etc.), or for any other reason deemed necessary, the Spanish language school you are attending reserves the right to terminate your program immediately. It is further noted that the Spanish language school you are attending reserves the right to send home (without an escort or any type of refund) any person who violates the above mentioned rules. Any expenses incurred as the result of any Spanish language school terminating a program will be the responsibility of the participant.

Disclaimer of Liability

BSB is an independent agent and is not liable for any risks you may encounter during travel to, from, and within the country in which your program is located, at the chosen school or your chosen accommodations, or at any other time or location during your trip. These risks may include, but are not limited to: personal injury, property damage, sickness, accidents, terrorism, and war. By signing the registration form (or by submitting a form online or over the telephone), you are assuming all risks and agreeing to indemnify and hold Spanish Abroad, Inc. and its employees harmless of any and all liability that may arise in any Spanish Abroad, Inc. programs inside and outside of the United States. If you have any question, please feel free to call us.

Privacy Policy

Any customer information that Building Sustainable Borders receives is strictly for our records. Our company does not and will not share this information with any other organization.