Terms & Conditions

Booking

By booking one of our programs, you accept our terms and conditions. Once we have received your booking form via internet, we will confirm your program within 1 to 4 working days.

Your completed booking form together with a deposit of €300 or full payment should be received at least 4 weeks before your course starts. A confirmation of enrolment will be sent by return email. For students under 18 years old, please complete the obligatory parental consent form indicating the personal details of who to contact in the event of an accident or serious problem, evening curfew times and medical authorization for all types of surgery.

Deposit

Cultural Lingua International will only confirm a booking upon receipt of the deposit of €450 or full payment which includes a flat-rate non-refundable administration fee of €65.

Payment

Balance of payment must be made at least two (2) weeks before the commencement of the course. If you enrol less than 4 weeks before the starting date, then full payment is required with the booking form.

Method of payment

Visa or Mastercard.
A surcharge of 1% is applicable on every transaction to cover the following fees: credit card payment processing, currency exchange and bank fees.

Bank transfer
Bank name: Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Burringbar St & Station St, Mullumbimby NSW 2482
Account name: Damien Renaux (Cultura Lingua International)
Bank code (BSB): 062 565
Account Number: 1052 7004
International Swift code: CTBAAU2S
Reference: your full name and course

Please add €25 to cover bank charges.

Course and/or accommodation modification fees

Once you have received your letter of acceptance, any change made from your part such as destination, dates, course program or accommodation type will incur an additional charge of 50€. Such changes to your booking must be received in writing and are subject to availability. Without prior approval from Cultural Lingua International, if a course is commenced and not completed, you will not be entitled to a refund of course fees or accommodation.

Cancellation

If you decide to cancel your booking, the cancellation will take effect once Cultural Lingua International receives your written notification by email.

Cancellation fees are:

  • More than 6 weeks before course commencement: 5% of the price will be retained or 65€ minimum
  • Between 4 and 6 weeks before course commencement: 10% of the price will be retained or 65€ minimum
  • Between 2 weeks before course commencement: 20% of the price will be retained or 65€ minimum
  • Between 1 and 2 weeks before course commencement: 25% of the price will be retained
  • Less than 1 week before the course commencement: 30% of the price will be retained

Change or cancellation of a course by Cultural Lingua International

Sometimes for reasons beyond our control, we may have to cancel or change the program to another teacher and/or destination. In this case, we will make every effort to propose an alternative arrangement. However, only a program of identical value will be offered.

We reserve the right not to allow a participant to attend, continue or prolong a program if we find out that they are suffering from any medical condition, mental or physical disability which has not been stated in the booking form.

Insurance

Before starting a course with Cultural Lingua International, participants must take appropriate insurance to cover for:

  • Civil liability,
  • Personal accident,
  • Illness, repatriation, and hospitalisation,
  • Loss and theft of luggage and personal belongings,
  • Travel delay and alternative transport expenses,
  • Cancellation, interruption, resumption of trip,
  • Special events, for the entire duration of the program.

Travel and transfers

Students are responsible for making their own travel arrangements. Travel details must be provided to Cultural Lingua International at the student’s earliest convenience and no later than 3 weeks before the commencement of the course. Arrival is generally on a Sunday before the commencement of the course and departure on the Saturday after breakfast and/or the completion of the course. Cultural Lingua International will be happy to provide detailed information on the best route to our partner schools. Most of our school partners offer a welcoming transfer service from the nearest railway/bus station for free or for a small fee. Failing to notify us of the arrival details at least 7 days before arriving may cancel this option.

Public holidays

Where a course takes place on a public holiday, the course may be cancelled on that day but in most cases, individual classes will be rescheduled in the following days or weekend. Please enquire about the public holidays that may occur during your stay.

Courses

Classes are generally offered Monday to Friday, starting on Mondays (except when Monday is a public holiday). Classes usually last between 45 and 60 minutes depending on the school’s policy.

Once a course has commenced there is no compensation, refunds or additional lessons given for:

  • Services and facilities paid for but not used
  • Late arrival or early departure from a course
  • Absence from a course
  • Our school partners’ closure because of public holidays

Course material

Unless otherwise indicated in the specific information about your school, all study materials such as books, authentic documents are included in the cost of your course.

Accommodation

Accommodation is typically booked from the Sunday before your course begins until the Saturday after it concludes. This period is considered one week, and in most cases, it is the minimum booking period with no discounts for stays of fewer than 6 nights. Extra nights can be arranged, subject to availability, with an additional fee per night. Prices may vary due to factors such as currency fluctuations or special events. During the European summer season, surcharges may apply to homestays, hotels, residences, and apartments. We recommend booking accommodation for the July-August period at least three to six months in advance. Please note that if you reduce the length of your stay for accommodation arranged by us, a cancellation fee may apply.

Leisure and cultural activities

Our partner schools offer weekly leisure activity programs to enrich your language and cultural experience. The information we provide about these activities is for guidance only, as the program is seasonal and subject to change. You will receive a full, up-to-date schedule on your first day of arrival.

Visas

Cultura Lingua International and its providers cannot apply for visas on behalf of their students. If you need a visa, we invite you to contact the embassy, high commission or consulate of the country you intend to visit.

In any case, the full amount of the program must be paid before a visa letter is issued. In case of a visa refusal, this amount will be refunded according to our cancellation terms.

Unavoidable circumstances

Cultura Lingua International makes every effort to ensure that the participant receives the service and products booked. However, we cannot take responsibility for disruptions to courses and related services resulting from forces out of our control (natural disaster, strikes, flight delays, epidemic, extraordinary events); the fault of the participant (e.g. changes without notice and without approval from Cultura Lingua International beforehand, late arrival); or the actions of a third party. All courses and related services missed as a result of the above causes will not be recovered and no refund given.

Behaviour expectations

  • Participants must exercise reasonable, courteous and respectful conduct throughout the program.
  • Participants staying with a host family must respect their guidelines.
  • Use of illegal drugs is prohibited.
  • Consumption of alcoholic beverages by minors is prohibited.
  • Throughout the program participants are under jurisdiction of the laws of their host country.
  • Participants must notify Cultura Lingua International of any serious medical, physical, mental problems, diet restrictions, etc, before the commencement of the program.

If a participant or a group of participants violate the above rules, following a warning from their tutor, they may be dismissed from the program and not be entitled to a refund.

Accuracy of information

Cultura Lingua International has made every effort to ensure that the information found on this website is accurate and will not accept any responsibility for errors or omissions. We are dependent on the information supplied by our teachers and partner schools who may make changes at any time. We will always gratefully receive any comment or additional details you may have regarding discrepancies between the information on this website and the services provided by our language providers.

Complaints

If participants feel they have genuine reason for complaint, it is important that they mention this immediately to their teacher, the school and/or Cultura Lingua International. Our language teachers/schools will respond to any fair and reasonable complaints and will keep Cultura Lingua International informed of the issue and on how it’s being resolved. However, Cultura Lingua International and their teachers/partner schools will not be able to respond to any complaint made after a participant has completed their course if the issue was not reported while they were attending the course or if a written complaint is sent to Cultura Lingua International more than 10 days following the end of the program.

These terms and conditions are governed by Australian law and all parties consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Australian courts in all matters regarding them.