1. REGISTRATION
Since the student capacity of our partner schools is limited, we recommend registering as early as possible. You will need a visa to enter the country of your chosen destination and you must to be prepared, depending on the country, for a waiting time of up to three months before a visa is issued. For bookings less than fourteen days prior to the commencement of the course, we charge an express fee of 50.00 CHF (Swiss Francs).
2. CONTRACT
A contract is make between you and Boa Lingua Ltd by:
– Your written or verbal registration is binding.
– Our written confirmation constitutes a valid contract.
3. FEES
The fees for language courses are stated in our brochure in the destination country's local currency and are published in accordance with our partner schools' requirements.
4. SURCHARGES
– Dossier surcharge for each booking: 50.00 CHF.
– Language courses under four week duration, (excluding mini groups and one-on one courses) 50.00 CHF.
– Hotel and apartment reservations: 40.00 CHF.
– Retroactive changes to accommodations, courses, start dates, according to time and effort required, at minimum of 50.00 CHF min. to a maximum of 200.00 CHF.
5. PAYMENT
You will receive our invoice and order confirmation, shortly after receipt of your registration. A down payment of 400.00 CHF is required within 10 days of receipt of our invoice. The balance is due no later than five weeks prior to commencement of your course. Unless requested otherwise, we apply the official rate of exchange on the date the invoice is issued. Retroactive changes regarding the course are not allowed. Credit cards and traveller's cheques are not accepted. If payment due dates are not adhered to, we reserve the right to charge the full cancellation fee in accordance with point 7.
Any applicable membership or promotional discounts must be asserted by the Customer at the time of booking. Subsequent claims are not possible.
6. SERVICES OF BOA LINGUA AG
The services of Boa Lingua, AG, (BL) are stated in the brochure and order confirmation. They are valid at the time of printing. We expressly reserve the right to make changes to the services (prices, courses, time tables and accommodation) of our partner organizations and we exclude retroactive claims made against BL. Any missed charges on a client's invoice, when supported by evidence, will retroactively be billed. In case of an overcharge, the client will receive reimbursement.
7. CANCELLATION OF LANGUAGE COURSES AND/OR ACCOMMODATION
Cancellations must be made in writing to Boa Lingua and the branch at which you booked.
– Cancellation up to 30 days prior to course start date 400.00 CHF*
– Cancellation 29 to 15 days prior to course state date 20 % of the course and accommodation fees (min. 400.00CHF)*
– Cancellation 14 to 8 days prior to course start date 40 % of the course and accommodation fees*
– Cancellation 7 to 1 day prior to course start date 80 % of the course and accommodation fees*
– Cancellation after course has commenced 100 % of the language course and accommodation fees*
* Registration fees (for course and accommodation, in case already debited) as well as dossier fees will not be reimbursed under any circumstances. Shortening of course participation is considered cancellation.
Apartments/Studios/hotel rooms are subject to cancellation policies of the local provider. Their fees generally are higher than those of host families. Cancellation fee can amount up to 100% of the accommodation costs.
Cancellations due to medical or family reasons (a claim requires a doctor's note) may be covered by cancellation insurance.
8. CLAIMS
In the event of dissatisfaction with the performance of any of our schools or travel, please contact the service provider or school administration directly. If no resolution is immediately forthcoming with respect to your complaint, please phone, fax or e-mail (info@boalingua.ch) or contact your booking agency. Complaints lodged after the end of the course will not be accepted and will cancel any later claim. If your dissatisfaction cannot be resolved during your stay, the complaint must be sent by registered mail to Boa Lingua no later than 30 days after the end date of the language course or after its termination. Non-compliance with these requirements will render any claims void. Please state your complaint in writing and ensure that you receive a response from the school administration in writing. Unused services are not reimbursable. Holidays will not be compensated for or reimbursed.
9. LIABILITY
Boa Lingua's liability is outlined according to the law. BL's liability is limited only to unsolved losses incurred up to a maximum of the prepaid travel costs.
9.1. GENERAL
Boa Lingua does not assume liability for any changes in the programme due to travel delays or strikes. In particular, BL shall not be liable for changes in the travel programme that can be attributed to force majeure, measures from authorities, riots, terrorist attacks, war, epidemics, and delays of third parties for which BL can not be held responsible. In this context, we refer to the travel advice given by the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) and would like to ask you to inform yourself in detail about your destination and safety issues in the region.
The competent court is Zug, Switzerland. Swiss law shall prevail exclusively.
9.2. CLAIMS ARISING FROM AIR TRAVEL are not the responsibility of Boa Lingua. The traveler unstands that Boa Lingua does not make travel arrangements; Boa Lingua merely passes client data and travel details to the travel agent partner. By signing the application form, the signer acknowledges acceptance of the release of personal information to the travel agent. This is in effect upon receipt of the course confirmation. Please be guided by the general terms and conditions by the travel agent.
9.3. MATERIAL DAMAGES AND SPECIAL EVENTS
Damages arising from theft or damage to personal property are not Boa Lingua's responsibility. Boa Lingua declines all responsibility for claims arising from local excursions, car rentals etc., which have not been arranged by BL.
9.4. INSURANCE
BL accepts responsibility within the contract terms of the (Schweizerische Mobiliar) Swiss business liability insurance for personal liability and property damages, for which, according to the law, Boa Lingua is liable.
BL recommends that course participants purchase cancellation insurance, travel insurance for return travel, damage or loss of personal baggage, accidents, as well hospital and medical expenses. You should have in your possession a copy of the insurance policy including policy number, address and telephone number of the insurance company easily accessible.
9.5. BONDING PAYMENTS
Boa Lingua is covered by the Travel Assurance Fund of the Swiss Travel Industry. This guarantees your course payments should the school for some reason default or close. You can obtain detailed information at the website www.reisegarantie.ch.
9.6. OMBUDSMANN
Should, contrary to all expectations, a dispute arise, you can use the service of an independent ombudsman of the Swiss Travel Industry under the following address:
Ombudsmann der Schweizer Reisebranche, Postfach, 4601 Olten.
9.7. TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
The traveller is responsible for all necessary travel documentation and the observance of immigration, customs, currency, inoculation requirements as well as insurance coverage. Should entry be denied, due to reasons for which the traveller is responsible, the excursion will be considered cancelled under the terms in point 7 and cancellation fees will apply.
9.8. APPLICABLE LAW AND JURISDICTION
All transactions and claims are covered under Swiss law, jurisdiction of Zug, Switzerland.
Boa Lingua AG, Zug (Switzerland) 03/2012
