Policies, Terms & Conditions

LeadAbroad is committed to transparent, clear and open communication with students, parents and educators.  The Policies, Terms & Conditions outlined below apply to all summer programs.  It is the responsibility each individual to check our website and this page for the most up to date information.

Use the links below to navigate this page.

A. Application Policies
  1. Required Application Materials
  2. Application Deadline
  3. Late Applicants
  4. Incomplete Applications
  5. Eligibility
  6. Pre-departure Requirements
  7. Acceptance Definition & Timeline
  8. Acceptance Waitlist
  9. Acceptance Deferral
B. Payment Policies
  1. Program Fees & Tuition
  2. Payment Schedule
  3. Program Inclusions
  4. Students Using Financial Aid
  5. Payment Plans
  6. Voluntary Withdrawals
  7. Refund Policies (Program Fees and Tuition Payments)
  8. Program Cancellation
  9. LeadAbroad Trip Protection
  10. Change in Program Structure
  11. Payment Methods
  12. Financial Aid & Scholarships
  13. Outstanding Balances & Late Fees
C. International Program Policies
  1. Passports & Visas
  2. Communication Abroad
  3. Arrival Guidelines
  4. Return Transportation
  5. Late Arrival/Early Departure
  6. Family/Friends Visit Policy
  7. Orientation
  8. Medical Insurance
  9. Injury Abroad
  10. Immunizations & Vaccinations
  11. Excursions & Activities
  12. Housing Preferences
  13. Housing Damages
  14. Housing and Activity Accountability Deposit & Class Fees
  15. Program Rules
  16. Health & Safety Code of Conduct
  17. Health & Safety
D. Academic Policies
  1. Equal Opportunity Policy & Special Accommodations
  2. Oglethorpe University Policy Prohibiting Discrimination, Harassment & Retaliation
  3. Intellectual Property Rights
  4. Academic Honor Code
  5. Course Preferences & Placement
  6. Prerequisites
  7. Withdrawal Policy
  8. Dismissal Policy
  9. Attendance
  10. Transcripts & Credit Transfer
  11. Audit Policy
  12. Academic Appeal
E. Disabilities, Diversity & Special Accommodations
  1. Accommodation Overview and Initiation
  2. Approval Process and Implementation
  3. Documentation Guidelines
  4. Limitations
  5. Grievances
F. Social Media & Online Community Guidelines
  1. Social Media & Online Community Guidelines
G. Privacy Policy
  1. Information Collection, Use & Sharing
  2. Text Messaging
  3. Access to and Control over Information
  4. Security
  5. Updates
H. COVID-19
  1. Vaccination Policy
  2. Testing Requirements
  3. Program Cancellation

A. Application Policies

Applications will be reviewed and eligible for conditional program acceptance upon receipt of the following items:

  • Online application form
  • $150 non-refundable application fee (applied to program fees)
  • $350 program deposit (applied to program fees)
  • Official transcript from your home university (for-credit programs only)

Official transcripts must be sent to Oglethorpe University electronically via your school’s transcript delivery service. If your school does not use an automatic delivery service, official transcripts can be sent to admission@oglethorpe.edu or via mail to the following address:

Oglethorpe University
Office of Admission
4484 Peachtree Rd NE
Atlanta, GA 30319

LeadAbroad does not have an official deadline for applications.  However, once a program has reached enrollment capacity, applications will close.  If you apply for a program after it has reached capacity, you will be placed on the waitlist. For our waitlist policy, please refer to the Acceptance Waitlist section.

Students who apply for a program within 60 days of departure may be subject to additional program fees. All payments will be due according to an abbreviated schedule. See Payments section for more information. Because pre-departure forms are due between 30 and 60 days before departure, late applicants are required to submit all forms and documents within two weeks of acceptance.

Pre-departure materials (i.e. required documents, forms, etc.) must be submitted by due dates specified in participants’ online portal and other LeadAbroad communications. Failure to complete all required pre-departure materials are grounds for removal from the program. All standard refunds and other policies will apply.

  • Students must meet the stated program requirements for the program for which they are applying. Eligibility requirements include but are not limited to:
    • Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 (for-credit programs only)
    • Must be in good standing with home university
    • Adhere to any specific home university requirements for study abroad

All applicants are required to submit additional information as part of the pre-departure process. This may include documents, online forms and other materials. All pre-departure materials are due between 30 and 60 days before departure or the stated due date. Individual exceptions will be made for students accepted late to the program. If your documents and forms are not received on time, you may delay or forfeit your participation in the program.

LeadAbroad defines program acceptance as follows:

Conditionally Accepted: Student has submitted an online application form, application fee and program deposit to reserve their spot on a LeadAbroad program; however, additional materials are required for program acceptance to become official. Conditionally accepted students have the same obligations for forms and payments as officially accepted students, and refund policies are the same for both conditionally accepted students and officially accepted students.

Accepted: Student has submitted all required application materials and is officially accepted to the program.

Applications for summer programs are released early in the fall semester. Program acceptances occur on a rolling basis. Students who apply after the first round of acceptances can typically expect an acceptance notification within two weeks of submitting a completed application. Students will not receive an acceptance decision until all required application materials are submitted including application fee and deposit.

If, at the time of application, the student’s preferred program is full, a student will receive an email informing them of the situation. At this time the student will be able to:

  • Cancel their application and deposit for a full refund (minus any credit card fees, if applicable)
  • Move their application to another program that has availability
  • Opt into a waitlist for their program

At any point while on the waitlist, the student may notify LeadAbroad that they no longer desire to be on the waitlist and receive a refund for all program fee/tuition funds except for credit card fees. The student must notify LeadAbroad of their wish to be removed from the waitlist before LeadAbroad notifies the student that a spot has become available.

For LEAD, DIRECT and PRO programs, if a spot becomes available, the student is automatically accepted. Standard refund and deferral policies apply. Add-on payments are always non-refundable.

For GO programs, the waitlist procedure will follow the following steps:

  • If a spot opens up and the student is able to take two of his/her top four course choices, the student is automatically accepted to the program. Standard refund and deferral policies apply.
  • If a spot opens up and the student is able to take zero or one of his/her top four course choices, then the student has 48 hours to accept or decline the spot.
    • If the student accepts the spot, they have a confirmed spot on the program in the specified courses and all standard refund and deferral policies apply.
    • If the student declines the spot, they will be removed from the waitlist and will receive all program fee/tuition funds except for credit card fees.    Add-on payments are always non-refundable.

Students can choose to defer their acceptance to a LeadAbroad program to the following summer only if notice of their deferment is communicated at least 90 days prior to departure. All funds paid to LeadAbroad – less amounts committed to 3rd Party vendors, application fee ($150) and deposit ($350) – will roll over to the following year.  

The student will be responsible for paying the difference between their rollover balance and the new program’s cost. Once fees are rolled over to the following year, they are no longer refundable for any reason.

Eligible students must complete a deferment form that must also be countersigned by LeadAbroad’s CEO or CFO to become valid and confirm availability of any deferred monies. For any students who defer monies to a future year, a new application, application fee ($150) and deposit ($350) will be required for the following year’s program.

Under no circumstances are deferral monies to be refunded. These funds are non-transferable and are only available to be credited towards the cost of a LeadAbroad program during the following year. If not used in the following year, these credits will expire and no monies will be refunded. Credits may only be used to pay for program and tuition costs.

The cost of the future program selected may be different from the approved deferral balance. If the cost of the program is higher than the deferral balance, the student is responsible for paying the difference between the deferral balance and the program cost. If the cost of the program is lower than the deferral balance, the student will not receive a refund for the difference.

The deferred amount will be applied to the final installment payment(s) for the new program.

Deferrals are only valid and binding if a Deferral Agreement provided by LeadAbroad is signed by both the student and LeadAbroad’s CEO or CFO.

B. Payment Policies

Summer 2024 pricing can be found below:

Program Program Fee Tuition Total
DIRECT Cape Town Session 1 $3,100 N/A $3,100
DIRECT Cape Town Session 2 $2,900 N/A $2,900
DIRECT Florence $3,800 N/A $3,800
DIRECT Greece Session 1 $3,800 N/A $3,800
DIRECT Greece Session 2 $3,600 N/A $3,600
GO Barcelona $4,500 $4,000 $8,500
GO Lisbon $3,900 $4,000 $7,900
GO Rome $4,500 $4,000 $8,500
LEAD Cape Town $3,900 $4,000 $7,900
LEAD Greece $4,800 $4,000 $8,800
PRO Costa Rica Session 1 $3,900 $– $3,900
PRO Costa Rica Session 2 $3,900 $– $3,900
PRO Costa Rica Session 3 $3,700 $– $3,700
  • Payment 1: Application fee ($150) + Deposit ($350)
    • $500
    • Due with application
  • Payment 2: Program fee installment 1 of 2
    • $1,000
    • If accepted prior to January 15: due 30 days after acceptance
    • If accepted between January 15 and February 8: due February 15
    • If accepted February 8 or later: due within 7 days of acceptance
  •  Payment 3: Program fee installment 2 of 2
    • Amount varies by program
    • If accepted prior to November 15: due January 15
    • If accepted between November 15 and March 8: due the earlier of:
      • 60 days after acceptance
      • March 15
    • If accepted March 8 or later: due within 7 days of acceptance
  • Payment 4: Tuition Fees (GO & LEAD programs only)
    • Tuition: $4,000 (two courses or one course plus PRO-track fee)
    • If accepted prior to November 15: due February 15
    • If accepted between November 15 and April 8: due the earlier of
      • 90 days after acceptance
      • April 15
    • If accepted April 8 or later: due within 7 days of acceptance

For applications after February 15, the second installment payment is due within 7 days following acceptance and a program spot is not guaranteed until the second installment payment is paid.

For applications after March 15, the second and third installment payments are due within 7 days following acceptance and a program spot is not guaranteed until both the second and third installment payments are paid 2 .

For applications after April 15, all installment and tuition payments are due within 7 days following acceptance and a program spot is not guaranteed until all installment and tuition payments are paid.

The final deadline for all payments regardless of purchase date is 15 days before program departure. Failure to pay in full by this deadline may result in removal from the program without a refund and the student will be accountable for expenses already incurred by LeadAbroad on their behalf at the discretion of LeadAbroad.

*Prices and dates are subject to change without notice.

Program fees for each LeadAbroad program will cover certain costs. For program and location specifics, please check the costs of your program. Generally, the following services are included in the program fee:

Pre-departure Services:

  • Pre-departure support
  • Online orientation
  • Personal assistance
  • Transient student registration facilitation with Oglethorpe University
  • Flight recommendations
  • Parental communication and support

Services Abroad:

  • Housing
  • Some meals (check specific program)
  • All service projects
  • All cultural tours
  • All program related excursions and adventure activities
  • LeadAbroad certificate 
  • City tour
  • International medical insurance
  • Transfers to/from program city airport (if arriving during specified time window)
  • Emergency assistance

After Students Return Home:

  • Resume assistance
  • Alumni events
  • LinkedIn alumni group

These fees do not include: Other university fees, transcript fees, class tour pass (only specific classes), international airfare, passport fees, visa fees, telephone calls and internet, additional personal travel, textbooks, independent adventures, housing damages and Housing & Activity Accountability Deposit & Class Fee, COVID-19 vaccination/testing costs, and any personal items. Tuition is a separate charge as listed in the Program Fees & Tuition section.

If you are interested in, or planning on, using financial aid, please indicate this on the financial aid form or email us at info@LeadAbroad.com.

Failure to secure funding does not release a student from their payment obligations. LeadAbroad reserves the right to invoice the student for expenses incurred by LeadAbroad on their behalf.

If financial aid funding is not secured by students and remitted to LeadAbroad by payment deadlines, a guarantee letter from the lender must be provided to LeadAbroad by 90 days from the start of their program. Please contact info@LeadAbroad.com if you require a form for your lender.

Payment plans may be available for students who are unable to meet the payment schedules above. Please email accounting@LeadAbroad.com to discuss options. Upon completion of a payment plan agreement signed by LeadAbroad staff and Participant or legal guardian, students are required to meet the approved alternative financial deadlines. All payments must be submitted by the final due date for the student’s specific program. Any student who is not paid in full by agreed upon schedule will be subject to late fees and/or may be withdrawn from the program for non-payment.

Any student who wishes to withdraw from a program must submit a withdrawal request in writing to info@LeadAbroad.com and formally complete the withdrawal process. Verbal, text message/SMS or any other form of notification will not be accepted. Once a withdrawal notification has been received, LeadAbroad will acknowledge receipt of notification by providing a withdrawal form to the student in their student portal on the LeadAbroad website. To receive a refund (if applicable), students must complete the withdrawal form. Applicable refunds will be provided within 15 business days of completion of withdrawal form and process.

LeadAbroad’s refund policy is intended to provide transparent communication allowing students and families to make educated decisions. The refund policies below apply to program fees and tuition payments. Alternative payment arrangements (financial aid, payment plans, etc.) do not exempt you from this policy or alter the applicability of the refund schedule below. All other payments including add-on payments are non-refundable other than the Housing & Activity Accountability Deposit & Class Fee. For the purposes of the refund policy, conditionally accepted students and officially accepted students are both subject to the same rules, as listed below.

Refund Schedule (Program Fees and Tuition Payments) for program acceptance November 30 or prior:

  • Withdrawal within 30 days after program acceptance: All payments except $150 application fee are refunded.
  • Withdrawal after 30 or more days from program acceptance, but before December 31: All payments except for $500 are refunded.
  • Withdrawal on or after December 31, but before January 31: All payments except for $750 are refunded.
  • Withdrawal on or after January 31, but before February 28: All payments except for $1,500 are refunded.
  • Withdrawal on or after February 28, but more than 60 days prior to their program start date: All payments except $2,000 are refunded.
  • If a student withdraws from the program 60 days or fewer prior to the program start date: No refund.

Refund Schedule (Program Fees and Tuition Payments) for program acceptance December 1 or later:

  • Withdrawal prior to December 31: All payments except $150 application fee are refunded.
  • Withdrawal on or after December 31, but before January 31: All payments except for $750 are refunded.
  • Withdrawal on or after January 31, but before February 28: All payments except for $1,500 are refunded.
  • Withdrawal on or after February 28, but more than 60 days prior to their program start date: All payments except $2,000 are refunded.
  • If a student withdraws from the program 60 days or fewer prior to the program start date: No refund.

The above deadlines apply regardless of the student application acceptance date or date any prior, current or future payments are made.

Refunds for Ineligibility

If a student becomes ineligible after they are accepted but prior to departure due to disciplinary, behavioral or any other reason that makes them unqualified to participate in the program, they can either request a refund according to the Refund Schedule or they can choose to defer their existing payments to a program scheduled for the following summer less amounts committed to 3rd party vendors on the student’s behalf, their application fee ($150), deposit ($350) and an administrative fee (10% of program fees) (see Acceptance Deferral). If the student does not meet the acceptance requirements for the following summer, no refund or additional deferral will be provided.

If a student is not accepted into the program at the time of application, a full refund of program fees and tuition funds paid (less credit card fees, if applicable) will be granted.

If the program is canceled for any reason prior to the program start date, accepted students are given the choice of the following three opportunities:

  1. Switching to a future year program session
  2. Switching to a different current year LeadAbroad program (subject to availability)
  3. A refund per the following schedule:
    • Non-Credit Programs (DIRECT Cape Town, DIRECT Florence, DIRECT Greece, PRO Costa Rica): All payments will be refunded except your Application Fee ($150) and Program Deposit ($350)
    • For-Credit Programs (LEAD Cape Town, LEAD Greece, GO Barcelona, GO Lisbon, GO Rome): All payments will be refunded less an administrative fee of 15% of total program costs (inclusive of the application fee, program deposit, program fees and tuition)

Click here for more information regarding program cancellation due to COVID-19.

If an emergency or force majeure event requires a program to be suspended or canceled after the program start date, LeadAbroad will make reasonable efforts to recover program costs for the canceled portion of the program and refund the monies to the student. However, LeadAbroad commits and pays the majority of program costs including not limited to educational expenses, housing, study center support, health, safety and security and administrative costs upfront and before the program start date. These upfront commitments, payments and administrative costs are non-recoverable costs and are non-refundable.

If any emergency, weather delay or other situation leads to a delay in a departure from or return to the U.S., the student is responsible for normal living expenses for the additional time spent in the U.S. or abroad and for penalties or costs related to changed airline tickets.

For students who value flexibility in travel planning, we offer two trip protection plans: Assurance and Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR).

Assurance Trip Protection

The LeadAbroad Assurance plan offers trip protection for specific scenarios up to 30 days prior to program departure. The covered reasons are:

  • Medical – If a student or an immediate family member of the student becomes seriously ill, is seriously injured in an accident or dies between the time the student purchased the assurance trip protection plan and the program start date.
  • Job Loss – If a parent or legal guardian of a student is permanently laid off from work or loses his/her job as a result of a general staff reduction or position elimination between the time the student purchased the assurance trip protection plan and the program start date.
  • Total Destruction of a Student’s Primary Residence – If the student’s primary place of residence is destroyed by a natural disaster, fire or explosion between the time the student purchased the assurance trip protection plan and the program start date.

For purposes of the assurance trip protection coverage, the immediate family of the student is defined as spouse, child, parent, legal guardian and sibling. Refunds for medical reasons must be substantiated by a physician/hospital statement or other official medical documentation signed by a medical provider not related to the student. Refunds for job loss or total destruction of a student’s primary residence require additional documentation.

Students are able to enroll in the assurance trip protection plan through their LeadAbroad student portal. The deadline to complete this process, and sign up is within 30 days after acceptance (conditional or standard).  However, assurance trip protection plans will not be sold after March 1st. The cost is based on the trip protection inclusions and type of program, as follows:

  • DIRECT Cape Town, DIRECT Greece, DIRECT Florence, PRO Costa Rica – $100
  • LEAD Cape Town, LEAD Greece, GO Rome, GO Barcelona, GO Lisbon – $250

Any request by students for a pre-program start withdrawal refund must be made by sending a completed and signed LeadAbroad Withdrawal Notice form, available online, to info@LeadAbroad.com. We must receive the form at least 30 days before the start date for the program.

All program and tuition fees paid up to the time of withdrawal will be refunded to the student minus the $150 application fee and the cost of trip insurance. No other fees paid to LeadAbroad are refundable under the plan. Withdrawal notices received after the deadline (30 days prior to the program start date) will result in no refund.

Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) Trip Protection

The LeadAbroad CFAR plan offers extreme flexibility and protection by allowing covered individuals to cancel for any reason up to seven (7) days prior to program departure.

Students are able to enroll in the CFAR trip protection plan through their LeadAbroad student portal. The deadline to complete this process, and sign up is within 30 days after acceptance (conditional or standard). However, CFAR plans will not be sold after March 1st. The cost is 15% of total program cost and if you choose to cancel, you will receive up to 85% of your program costs back (see *** below for details on refund calculations).

Program Insurance Cost % Back Refund***
DIRECT Cape Town Session 2 $435 85% $2,465
DIRECT Cape Town Session 1 $465 85% $2,635
DIRECT Greece Session 2 $540 85% $3,060
PRO Costa Rica Session 3 $555 85% $3,145
DIRECT Florence $570 85% $3,230
DIRECT Greece Session 1 $570 85% $3,230
PRO Costa Rica Sessions 1 and 2 $585 85% $3,315
LEAD Cape Town $1,185 85% $6,715
GO Lisbon $1,185 85% $6,715
GO Rome $1,275 85% $7,225
GO Barcelona $1,275 85% $7,225
LEAD Greece $1,320 85% $7,480

***Refund shown is based on the assumption that the student has paid in full for the program at the time of cancellation. If all installments and/or tuition payments are not yet made at the time of cancellation, refund provided will be calculated based on total payments made to date less 15% of total program costs.

Any request by students for a pre-program start withdrawal refund must be made by sending a completed LeadAbroad Withdrawal Notice form, available online, to info@LeadAbroad.com. We must receive the form at least 7 days before the start date for the program.

Refunds are only available for program fees and tuition. No other fees paid to LeadAbroad are refundable under the plan. No deferred funds are refundable under the plan. Withdrawal notices received after the deadline (7 days prior to the program start date) will result in no refund.

LeadAbroad reserves the right to make cancellations, changes or substitutions in the program at any time because of emergency, changed conditions or LeadAbroad’s determination, in its sole discretion that such changes or substitutions are in the best interest of the program and/or its participants. Refunds or reduction in fees will not apply to such changes as long as the new arrangements are similar to the plan originally communicated. It is LeadAbroad’s sole discretion to decide the level of similarity.

Changes in program structure may include but are not limited to staffing, excursions, immersion and adventure activities, academic options and/or housing options. Necessary changes in academic delivery or format while a program is ongoing, such as moving from in-person to online course work or vice versa, are considered a change in program structure. LeadAbroad cannot guarantee any course selections made by students. Course availability may be changed by LeadAbroad at any time.

Payments to LeadAbroad can be made via electronic check, debit card or credit card on our website only. Cash, paper check, money order or any other form of payment will not be accepted unless approved in advance of payment by LeadAbroad staff.

LeadAbroad reserves the right to charge a $50 fee for bounced checks and failed ACH payments due to incorrectly submitted account information.

LeadAbroad only accepts Visa, MasterCard and Discover. A 4% processing fee will be assessed to all debit and credit card payments. Processing fees will be charged to the credit card being used at the time payment is made.

No fees are charged for payment by electronic check.

Please note that all non-program and tuition payments are non-refundable. This includes but is not limited to credit card fees, class fees, flights, add-on trips and tour passes. Refund schedules for program and tuition payments can be found under the heading Refund Policies on this page.

The LeadAbroad team strongly believes that international experiences should be made available to as many qualified students as possible. Therefore, we provide numerous scholarships to students on our programs. In addition, there are a wide variety of scholarships available through national organizations as well as universities. All LeadAbroad scholarship applications must be submitted online with all requirements completed by the applicable deadline.

Students wishing to use financial aid must indicate their arrangements by completing the financial aid form. Please email accounting@LeadAbroad.com any special circumstances.

Students who have not paid in full by the assigned due date will be subject to a late fee for each individual installment due unless an alternative payment structure has been authorized in writing by LeadAbroad. The late fees are structured as follows:

Payment Timing Late Fee
Past Due Date $100
Each additional week past due date 1% of installment (in addition to $100)

 

For example, if a $1,500 balance was due on February 1, here are four scenarios:

Paid on Feb 1 – No fee

Paid on Feb 5 – $100 late fee

Paid on Feb 9 – $115 late fee ($100 + 1% x $1,500)

Paid on Mar 1 -$160 late fee ($100 + 4% x $1,500)

Students who have made payment arrangements in writing with LeadAbroad, including financial aid and/or payment plan arrangements, who fail to pay per the terms of the agreement will also be subject to the above late fee penalties.

Any student that has not submitted payment and/or valid financial aid forms by their due dates may be withdrawn from their program for non-payment. Should a non-payment withdrawal occur, the student would be held accountable for expenses already incurred by LeadAbroad on their behalf.

Students who have not paid in full but have arrived on site will not be permitted to participate in any program related activity. This includes removal from airport transfers/other transportation, classes, excursions/activities and housing abroad. Said student will also forfeit all refundable deposits. In addition, any transcripts will be withheld from the student until any outstanding balance is paid in full.

LeadAbroad reserves the right to transfer any outstanding balance to a collections agency authorized for collection by LeadAbroad, which will affect the credit rating of the student and will cause additional collections fees to be assessed. In addition, LeadAbroad reserves the sole right to waive late fees.

C. International Program Policies

You must have a valid passport and applicable documents prior to departure and should secure all documents in a locked safe or bag while in the country. Students should keep their passport in a secure place at their accommodation and not carry it while touring the city; however, it is important for students to have a valid form of identification on them at all times, such as a driver’s license.

LeadAbroad will provide general instructions on obtaining the documents; however, it is ultimately the student’s responsibility to research specific requirements for his/her destination. Non-U.S. citizens are also responsible for following the requirements for obtaining the appropriate visa. Students who fail to comply with international immigration requirements may be dismissed from their program due to the inability to enter the program country.

LeadAbroad requires students to have cell phones while abroad for risk management purposes. Students can:

  • Bring an unlocked phone and buy a local SIM card
  • Add an international package to current phone plan

With Wi-Fi readily available in most program locations, you are encouraged to utilize internet texting apps (iMessage for iPhone to iPhone, GroupMe, WhatsApp, etc.) to communicate with program staff and family and friends at home.

In addition, we integrate technology into our communications and risk management strategy to keep students safe. Therefore, we require students to download the following applications on their phone prior to departure:

  • GroupMe
  • Find My
  • Smart Traveler
  • Trip Plans (for itinerary details)

All students arriving on the recommended flight arranged by LeadAbroad or within the designated group arrival timeframe will be greeted at the airport and transported to the accommodations. If the group flight is delayed, LeadAbroad staff will still greet and transport the students to the accommodations. For students who were scheduled to arrive within the group arrival timeframe but whose flight is delayed, LeadAbroad will assist in arranging alternative transportation; however, students may be required to pay for this transportation. 

Students who are scheduled to arrive outside of the group arrival time frame are responsible for their own transportation. On DIRECT, LEAD and PRO programs, LeadAbroad will assist in scheduling you a transfer through our transportation partner, which you will pay for directly upon arrival. For GO programs, students will take taxis to the accommodations. Only students arriving in the group arrival time frame will be greeted by LeadAbroad staff or local guides.

Students arriving prior to the program arrival date are responsible for securing and paying for their own airport transportation and accommodation until the program arrival date. Students arriving after the program arrival date are responsible for their own transportation to the accommodations.

LeadAbroad will arrange transportation to the airport from the accommodations for students who are departing in the window of time outlined under the flight section of the program.

If any emergency, weather delay or other unavoidable situation leads to a delay in a student’s departure, the student is responsible for all living costs for the additional time spent abroad and for penalties or costs related to changed airline tickets.

Students are required to be present for the entire program. If there is a very special circumstance, a student can submit a written request for a late arrival or early departure no later than 90 days prior to departure. Only the Chief Programming Officer, in conjunction with academic faculty, can authorize late arrival or early departure from the program. Even if a late arrival is approved, the student’s participation grade could be impacted depending on their course’s attendance policy. Students are responsible for reviewing the attendance policies of their courses prior to departure and with their instructor.

Parents can sign students out during the program. Adult relatives and/or close family friends who are visiting can also sign students out with the permission of the parents.

  • On a program where a rule of three or buddy system is required, the note from parents must recognize that LeadAbroad requires students to always be with other program participants. A parent’s decision to forgo this rule removes LeadAbroad’s responsibility for the student while they are signed out.
  • Requests can be sent to info@LeadAbroad.com.
  • If a student is in a group of two or three (depending on program regulations) and would like to meet up with friends or family, prior approval and letter from parents is not required.
  • On GO programs, students can meet up with friends and family at their will. If students are staying off campus with friends or family overnight during the week, parents must submit a note informing the program director that they are aware that their child is staying off campus and with whom.

Onsite orientation is mandatory for all program participants. Failure to attend onsite orientation may lead to disciplinary action. Prior to onsite orientation, students are required to watch the online orientation videos and review all orientation materials.

LeadAbroad supplies international medical insurance for all students at no additional cost. The details of this policy will be provided during the student’s orientation program. Participants should review the policy to be fully aware of the details. If a student is injured or ill while abroad and needs medical attention, he/she will pay for the treatment upfront, and, if covered, the insurance company will reimburse the student after submitting a claim through the insurance provider portal. LeadAbroad’s international medical insurance is a beneficial and mandatory inclusion, we also recommend that all program participants maintain comprehensive health insurance while abroad and review our policy to ensure it meets their unique needs. 

Additionally, it is important to note there is a difference between medical and travel insurance. LeadAbroad does not include travel insurance.  If you would like to explore our trip cancellation plans you will find more information by clicking here.

If a student sustains an injury abroad that makes it impossible for them to carry on with the program and/or the staff feel that they cannot provide the appropriate support to the student, the program director could dismiss the student from the program. In these cases, LeadAbroad will work with the student and faculty member to identify how to best proceed with the course or if a W (withdrawal) is more appropriate. If the student remains on the program with an injury any additional expenses for special accommodations will be the sole responsibility of the student including, but not limited to, special transportation, different accommodations and additional guide support.

If a student becomes ill abroad, LeadAbroad staff will support them to ensure they receive appropriate medical care. If the student is diagnosed with a condition that is highly contagious, LeadAbroad will provide guidance on how to move into private accommodations in order to keep them comfortable and the other program participants safe. In these cases, any additional fees incurred for being in quarantine will be the responsibility of the student if the cost is not covered by the LeadAbroad medical insurance. 

If a student is not cleared to return home due to their illness, LeadAbroad will work with the student’s emergency contact to identify the best way to keep them safe and comfortable while they heal or in rare cases request the emergency contact to come to the program city to assist the student. On programs that travel to multiple cities, students and parents need to be aware that LeadAbroad program staff are required to continue on with the program group and are unable to stay behind with the sick student. Our team is committed to creating a plan to help support the family in these rare circumstances.

Though our program locations currently do not require specific immunizations to enter the country, consistent with the requirements of the Georgia Board of Regents, the following vaccinations are required for all students enrolled in LeadAbroad.

  • Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) 2 doses
  • Tetanus or Diphtheria (Tdap or Td) must be up to date
  • Hepatitis B series
  • Varicella (Chicken Pox) 2 doses or date of disease

Students who have not received the vaccines above will not be allowed to stay at the LeadAbroad accommodations or participate in program activities if an outbreak of any preventable disease occurs on or near our international campus/program accommodations. No academic or financial accommodations will be made in this situation.

LeadAbroad strongly recommends all students receive the COVID-19 vaccine; however, we do not require the vaccine.  Here is our COVID-19 Vaccine Policy.

LeadAbroad organizes excursions and activities outside of the classroom for all programs with some included in the program fee and others requiring additional payment. For excursions and activities that are included in the cost of the program, students must follow all program rules and attendance policies. For optional events requiring additional payment, students must pay the announced fee in full before the start date of the event. Some optional events will require payment prior to departure for the program country. Failure to comply with these policies could lead to loss of privilege to participate. All payments related to activities and excursions are non-refundable.

In the event you become detached from the group due to your failure to meet the group at a designated time, whether such time is set forth in the itinerary or as modified by LeadAbroad staff, you will bear all responsibility and costs associated with reuniting with the group at its next available destination.

LeadAbroad cannot guarantee placement into any particular room type or location with a requested roommate; however, roommate requests will be honored if possible. Roommate requests may only be submitted on pre-departure forms due 60 days prior to departure and will not be honored if communicated verbally, via text, email or any other means of communication. Requests submitted after pre-departure forms are due will not be honored. Students are not permitted to change rooms or roommates at any time during the program.

In accordance with Oglethorpe University’s student housing policy, any student of a non-traditional age (over 23 years of age) may be subject to special approval by the Dean of Students and LeadAbroad. In addition, they may be subject to a supplemental housing fee.

Students are responsible to the hotel or dorm, in each host city, for any damages to the property. Students will not be permitted to check out of the hotel or dorm until all damages are paid. If it is not possible for the hotel to complete room checks prior to departure, fees must be submitted within 14 days of notification. Failure to submit payment could result in withholding the student’s transcript or involving a collection agency.

GO programs (GO Barcelona, GO Libson, GO Rome) require a $250 deposit for housing and activity accountability and class fees. These funds will be returned in full at the conclusion of the program less the following: 1) If a student causes damage or has an outstanding balance on their housing account prior to departure; 2) If a student reserves a spot on an optional tour but does not attend, owes a vendor an outstanding balance prior to departure, incurs a program-related fine, etc. 3) Class fees for tours and activities specific to the course the student is enrolled in. Refundable balances will be returned within 30 days of the program completion.

LeadAbroad has created rules that are designed to help minimize risks and keep students safe. Participants are responsible for being familiar with the rules and host country’s laws.

In keeping with the core values of Oglethorpe University and LeadAbroad, participants are required to:

  1. Obey the local laws of the host country
  2. Actively participate in the program, which includes, but is not limited to attending required program activities and following your class attendance policy (see below for more on class attendance)
  3. Abstain from the usage, distribution or possession of drugs including but not limited to marijuana, cocaine and ecstasy
  4. Abstain from the abuse of prescription medication, which includes, but is not limited to:
    • consuming a prescription medication not prescribed to you
    • mixing your prescription medications with alcohol
    • consuming more than your prescribed amount
  5. Respect the well-being, rights and property of others. Disrespectful behaviors include but are not limited to
    • verbal disrespect or disrespect behaviors towards staff, faculty, vendors, locals or other program participants
    • harassment or threats of any kind – physical, emotional, sexual or verbal
    • racist or hate speech
    • theft or destruction of others’ property
  6. Abstain from excessive drinking, which is defined as an alcohol consumption level that results in:
    • loud, disruptive, or offensive behavior, according to U.S. or local norms
    • destruction of property or abusive behavior
    • endangerment of self or of others
    • incarceration
    • missing class or being unable to participate fully in the program
    • any other behavior that is misaligned with the core values of LeadAbroad, Oglethorpe University or the host country
  7. Abstain from drinking alcohol on program buses
  8. Abstain from the possession or use of firearms, weapons, ammunition, explosives or fireworks
  9. Pay in full for any charges accrued during the program for services or damages prior to checkout
  10. Follow the sign in/out rules of their program city
  11. Obey the rules of the program’s accommodations
  12. Abstain from having overnight guests at the student accommodations
  13. Abstain from renting motorized road vehicles (including, but not limited to cars, scooters, vespas, etc.) 
  14. Abstain from having any non-essential medical procedure while on the program (LeadAbroad has sole discretion to define what is a non-essential medical procedure)
  15. Abstain from the usage of tobacco, e-cigarettes or vaping during program activities, class, on program transportation and/or in the accommodations. If a student is found using tobacco, e-cigarettes, etc. in one of these environments, their cigarettes, e-cigarettes and/or similar product will be confiscated and held until the end of the program.

Class Attendance
LeadAbroad is committed to the academic integrity of our programs. All students participating in a for-credit program (LEAD and GO) will be subject to academic and programmatic consequences for missing class. Excused absences are approved only if the student has a doctor’s note that includes the diagnosis and confirmation that the student needed to be seen immediately or a note from the program staff verifying a medical or personal emergency with the student.

Unexcused absences will impact a student’s final grade in the course. Refer to your course syllabi for specifics regarding how absences will impact your participation and final grade.

Programmatically, if a student has 3 unexcused absences or 15% of a traditional class a notification will be sent to them and their emergency contact letting them know that they are on probation. If a student has 4 unexcused absences or 20% of a traditional class the student will be dismissed and receive an automatic failing grade.

Personal travel is not an excused absence. Students should review their course syllabi and reach out to LeadAbroad to confirm their class schedule before booking any personal travel.

Location Specific Rules
In addition to the program rules, students must also abide by the location specific rules and those of their accommodation. This information will be available during the pre-departure orientation and upon arrival.

Alcohol at accommodations
Generally, alcohol is not allowed in any dorm or student residence (GO programs). Responsible drinking is permitted at hotels and apartments (LEAD/DIRECT/PRO programs).

Keys
Dorms and student residences reserve the right to charge a fine for lost keys/student IDs.

Quiet hours
Students should be respectful of others on the property and the staff. Noise violations will fall under the program accommodation’s rules.

Roommate changes
Students are not allowed to change roommates once assigned. If there is a situation that cannot be resolved independently, students should inform the program director who will facilitate mediation. In the rare situation that mediation is considered unsuccessful, a student can choose to move out of their room by purchasing a new room in the same facility if one is available. The additional costs of the room will be the responsibility of the student and paid directly to the vendor or hotel. Students will not be refunded for their accommodation cost paid to LeadAbroad.

Respect to locals
Students need to be aware that the etiquette in another country might differ from their norm; however, it is very important that they remember that we are guests. Any form of disrespect to locals or program vendors will not be tolerated and are subject to discipline at LeadAbroad’s discretion.

Consequences
Violation of program rules could result in dismissal from the program.

The program director is responsible for evaluating all alleged incidents. If the program director witnesses or hears of a student breaking a rule, they will investigate the situation by talking to the student directly about the alleged misconduct and interview others involved, if necessary. If the student did break a rule, it will be up to the discretion of the program director, with the support of LeadAbroad’s Risk Management Team, to determine the consequences for the misconduct.

Consequences may include any of the following:

  • Verbal warning
  • Formal written warning emailed to student
  • A fine for damages caused to property and/or another individual
  • Education and/or written assignment 
  • Required counseling and/or mental health assignments
  • Parental and/or home university notification
  • Program probation
  • Dismissal from program

If at any time, the program director feels that they can no longer keep the student safe because of their disregard of program rules, the program director can dismiss the student from the program at their sole discretion.

If a student is dismissed from the program, they will receive a written notice outlining the violation(s) and be asked to vacate the property within 24 hours. In addition, students who are dismissed from the program may receive a “WF” (withdrawal fail) for the course(s), if applicable. As stated in Section 2.3 of the Participant Agreement, “if Participant is dismissed from the Program, Participant agrees to be sent home with no refund of fees and agrees to be solely responsible for all costs and expenses associated with Participant’s return home.”

Student Disciplinary Actions Upon Return
It is important for students to know that some conduct violations, such as cheating, drug use and harassment of others could also be reported back to a student’s home university if Oglethorpe’s Chief Conduct Officer and/or LeadAbroad find it appropriate.

As we plan for summer programs to serve the LeadAbroad purpose, to transform the trajectory of individuals’ lives, impact communities and create a better world, we ask all students and staff to be fully aware of our shared responsibilities to create a safe and healthy environment.  We expect students and staff to abide by any updates that LeadAbroad communicates to students or staff.

This code of conduct falls under the LeadAbroad program rules which all students and staff agree to in the program waiver. Failure to abide by this code of conduct will result in disciplinary action up to dismissal from the program at the student’s expense.

Please review the following code of conduct carefully.

Before I go, I will:

  • Attend or watch all required pre-departure orientations or training sessions
  • Complete my health form and any necessary follow up actions required by LeadAbroad
  • Review US State Department international travel information about your program destination and become familiar with local laws 
  • Consult medical and mental health professionals, as needed 
  • Complete all requirements as outlined by my home university
  • Consider receiving the flu vaccine
  • Bring a cell phone with the ability to receive international data via international data plan or local SIM card
  • Pack essential health supplies as instructed by LeadAbroad
  • Delay my arrival if I receive a positive COVID-19 test result

On the ground, I will:

  • Attend all required training sessions
  • Abide by all LeadAbroad rules, country laws and local customs
  • Share my location with LeadAbroad to ensure they are able to assist me in an emergency
  • Take a proactive role in my safety by staying in small groups, being aware of my surroundings, avoid excessive drinking and securing my belongings at all times
  • Take care of my health and body by eating and sleeping well, drinking water and avoiding excessive drinking
  • Communicate with program staff if I need emotional support, medical assistance or have a problem that requires their attention  

Please remember that this code of conduct falls under the LeadAbroad program rules which all students and staff agree to in the program waiver. Failure to abide by this code of conduct will result in disciplinary action up to dismissal from the program at the student’s expense.

Student safety is our number priority at all times. The LeadAbroad team takes a proactive approach to safety. Our thorough procedures focus on assessment, education, security, ongoing monitoring, emergency response and communication.

Assessment: Our team researches locations, interviews partners and decides on the best and safest itinerary.

Education: LeadAbroad staff makes it a priority to be informed and educated about safety and each program staff member (excluding faculty members) is CPR and First Aid certified. We also educate our students to ensure they are prepared for travel abroad through online orientation prior to departure and a detailed safety orientation on day one of the program.

Security Measures: Our students are required to follow certain security precautions designed to minimize potentially dangerous situations. Every individual is registered with the U.S. embassy. On LEAD, DIRECT and PRO programs, students are required to stay in groups of 2 or 3 and sign out whenever they are leaving our accommodation. On GO programs, we recommend that students explore the city in groups for added safety. Students on GO programs are also required to provide details of their weekend plans informing staff if they are traveling to another country or staying in the program city.

Ongoing Monitoring: Our domestic and international teams are constantly monitoring current events and the U.S. State Department’s travel advisory. LeadAbroad is accessible 24 hours a day via our emergency phone line (404.720.5657).

Emergency Response Protocol: We are prepared in the case of an emergency with a detailed action plan. We understand whom to contact in any situation and each student will receive an emergency information card to keep with them at all times.  Should parents need to contact LeadAbroad in case of an emergency in the U.S. or abroad, please call 404.720.5657 and dial extension 710 for the emergency hotline.

Follow-up Communication: Clear, open communication is a key component of our philosophy. We will also be appropriately transparent and forthcoming regarding any issue, whether we are communicating with students, parents, faculty or insurance providers.

D. Academic Policies

Oglethorpe University is an equal opportunity educational institution. Faculty, staff and students are admitted, employed and treated without regard to race; color; religion; national origin; sex; sexual orientation; pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions; age; disability or handicap; citizenship status; service member status; or any other category protected by federal, state or local law. Oglethorpe University complies with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, Sections 503/504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008, as well as other applicable federal, state and local laws.

All LeadAbroad programs attempt to be inclusive and respectful of the academic needs, backgrounds and experiences of all its students. Any participant who needs alternate accommodation or other assistance in a course must contact LeadAbroad, in writing, at least 90 days before the program begins. LeadAbroad cannot guarantee that late requests will be honored.

If a student arrives on the program and claims a learning disability, the student may be asked to submit copies of any written requests, but LeadAbroad is under no obligation to modify existing curricula, criteria, syllabi or itineraries.

Oglethorpe University values the dignity of the individual, human diversity and an appropriate decorum for members of the campus community. Discriminatory or harassing behavior is indefensible as it makes the work, study or living environment hostile, intimidating, injurious or demeaning.

It is the policy of the University that all members of Oglethorpe community are able to work, study, participate in activities and live on a campus free of unwarranted harassment in the form of oral, written, graphic or physical conduct which personally frightens, intimidates, injures or demeans another individual. Harassment directed against an individual or group that is based on race; color; religion; national origin; sex; sexual orientation; pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions; age; disability or handicap; citizenship status; service member status; or any other category protected by federal, state or local law is prohibited. At a minimum, the term harassment as used in the policy includes:

  • Offensive remarks, comments, jokes, slurs or verbal conduct pertaining to an individual’s personal characteristics or those of a group.
  • Offensive pictures, drawings, photographs, figurines or other graphic images, conduct or communications including e-mail, text messages, postings, faxes, documents or copies pertaining to an individual’s personal characteristics or those of a group.
  • Offensive sexual remarks, sexual advances or requests for sexual favors
  • Offensive physical conduct including touching and gestures

Sexual misconduct, harassment and assault are addressed in a separate policy; please reference the Oglethorpe University Bulletin.

Retaliation, which includes threatening an individual or taking any adverse action against an individual for reporting a possible violation of this policy or participating in an investigation conducted under this policy, is absolutely prohibited.

Members of the faculty are also covered by this policy and are prohibited from engaging in any form of harassing, discriminatory or retaliatory conduct. No member of the faculty has the authority to suggest to any student that the student’s evaluation or grading would be affected by the student entering into (or refusing to enter into) a personal relationship with the faculty member or for tolerating (or refusing to tolerate) conduct or communication that might violate this policy. Such behavior is a direct violation of this policy.

Oglethorpe University believes that the public interest is best served by creating an intellectual environment whereby creative efforts and innovations can be encouraged and rewarded, while still retaining for the University and its learning communities reasonable access to, and use of, the intellectual property for whose creation the University has provided assistance. The University supports the development, production and dissemination of intellectual property by its faculty members, staff and students. (Oglethorpe University Bulletin)

Our honor code is an academic one. The code proscribes cheating as an umbrella that all academic malfeasance falls under. Cheating is any willful activity impacting or connected to the academic enterprise and involving the use of deceit or fraud in order to attempt to secure an unfair advantage for oneself or others or to attempt to cause an unfair disadvantage to others. Cheating undermines our community’s confidence in the honorable state to which we aspire.

Examples of cheating include but are not limited to:

  • The unauthorized possession or use of notes, texts, electronic devices (including, for example, computers and mobile phones), online materials or other such unauthorized materials/devices in fulfillment (or in an attempt at fulfillment) of course requirements.
  • Copying another person’s work or participation in such an effort.
  • An attempt or participation in an attempt to fulfill the requirements of a course with work other than one’s original work for that course.
  • Forging or deliberately misrepresenting data or results
  • Obtaining or offering either for profit or free charge materials one might submit (or has submitted) for academic credit. This includes uploading course materials to online sites devoted, in whole or in part, to aiding and abetting cheating under the guise of providing “study aids.” There is no prohibition concerning uploading examples of one’s work to one’s personal website or to departmental, divisional, University or professional society websites for purposes of publicity, praise, examination or review by potential employers, graduate school admissions committees, etc.
  • Violating the specific directions concerning the operation of the honor code in relation to a particular assignment.
  • Making unauthorized copies of graded work for future distribution.
  • Claiming credit for a group project to which one did not contribute.
  • Plagiarism, which includes representing someone else’s words, ideas, data or original research as one’s own and in general failing to footnote or otherwise acknowledge the source of such work.
  • Lying, such as: Lying about the reason for an absence to avoid a punitive attendance penalty or to receive an extension on an exam or on a paper’s due date
  • Stealing, such as: Stealing another’s work so that he/she may not submit it or so that work can be illicitly shared; stealing devices and materials (such as computers, calculators, textbooks, notebooks and software) used in whole or part to support the academic enterprise.
  • Fraudulent interaction on the part of students with the honor council, such as: Willfully refusing to testify after having been duly summoned; failing to appear to testify (barring a bona fide last-minute emergency) after having been duly summoned; testifying untruthfully.

Willful failure of a student to report an incident of suspected cheating shall be considered to be a breach of the code of student conduct. Such cases will be referred to the chief conduct officer.

The honor code is in force for every student who is enrolled (either full- or part-time) in any of the academic programs of Oglethorpe University at any given time.

For a complete overview of Oglethorpe University’s Academic Honor Code, please review the Bulletin.

All students on LEAD programs will be enrolled in Leadership: Global Theory & Practice and Global Citizenship and Civic Engagement for six credit hours offered by Oglethorpe University. These courses are cross-listed with multiple disciplines, and students may choose how the courses will appear on their transcript by completing the academic form after acceptance.

Students who do not complete the academic form or who do not submit it on time will be enrolled in the default courses indicated below. Course preferences must be communicated only through the academic form; any other form of communication (text, verbal, email) is not valid. Additionally, students may not change their selection after they are enrolled. Regardless of how a student prefers to have the classes listed on his/her transcript, everyone will be participating in the same classes and curriculum. The following options are available:

Leadership: Global Theory & Practice (LEAD Greece, LEAD Cape Town)

  • ULP 401: Urban Leadership Program (default if none selected)
  • History 490 (HIS): AST Leadership: Global Theory and Practice
  • Politics 490 (POL): AST Leadership: Global Theory and Practice
  • Sociology 490 (SOC): AST Leadership: Global Theory and Practice

Global Citizenship & Civic Engagement (LEAD Greece, LEAD Cape Town)

  • ULP 402: Urban Leadership Program (default if none selected)
  • History 290 (HIS): ST Global Citizenship and Civic Engagement
  • Politics 290 (POL): ST Global Citizenship and Civic Engagement
  • Sociology 290 (SOC): ST Global Citizenship and Civic Engagement

For GO programs, students will enroll in three or six hours of credit from courses offered by Oglethorpe University. These courses will vary by program location. Upon acceptance to a GO program, students must complete an academic form indicating their preferred course selections. LeadAbroad cannot guarantee placement into the student’s top choices but will work to meet as many requests as possible. Once accepted into the program, students will receive a confirmation email regarding their class placement.

If students are not satisfied with their courses they can complete a class change form in the student portal. LeadAbroad will work to accommodate students’ requests or place a student on a waitlist if their course preference is full. Waitlist requests will be honored in order based on the date with which your initial deposit was submitted.

Official class enrollment occurs 30 days prior to departure. Once officially enrolled, students may not change their course selection.

On GO programs, some courses may require prerequisites prior to enrollment. It is the student’s responsibility to meet all prerequisite requirements before the program begins. Students who do not meet the appropriate requirements may be transferred into another course 60 days prior to departure. After this time, the student may be withdrawn from the program and will be subject to the refund policy outlined in the Payments section of this policy guide.

Details regarding course withdrawal are at the discretion of LeadAbroad academic staff. However, in general, students are not permitted to withdraw from a course after the course begins abroad. Exceptions will occur only when an emergency situation requires a student to leave the program early. The LeadAbroad academic director, in consultation with the faculty director, reserves the right to deem what is classified as an emergency requiring course withdrawal. Once a student has been officially withdrawn from a LeadAbroad program, the student cannot re-enroll in the same program for the same semester.

If a student is dismissed from the program for not complying with the program policies, they will receive a “WF” (withdrawal fail) on their transcript.

Attendance will directly impact students’ grades and their ability to qualify for a LeadAbroad certificate. Students should refer to their course syllabi and program rules for specific programmatic and academic consequences for missing class.

Upon completion of the program, LeadAbroad will automatically send a transcript to the registrar’s office of the student’s school on record.  LeadAbroad and Oglethorpe University have the right to share information with home institutions in regards to a student’s performance on the LeadAbroad program.  Grades could take up to 90 days after the program’s completion to be posted. It is the sole responsibility of the student to obtain complete information concerning how academic work completed overseas is assessed by their home institution and how credit is counted towards the student’s degree program.  If a student needs a transcript sent to another location on campus or an additional university, they can request one online by clicking here.

Only certain students attending LEAD Cape Town may apply to audit the courses and not receive credit upon written approval of LeadAbroad staff; however, LeadAbroad reserves the right to limit the number of students who can audit. Audit students must attend all classes, participate in mandatory activities and excursions and complete all coursework expected of all students participating in the program. No Oglethorpe University transcript will be issued for students that audit LEAD Cape Town. Failure to participate in any of the listed areas disqualifies an audit student from receiving a LeadAbroad certificate and may result in dismissal from the program.  Any student who wishes to audit must declare their intention to forfeit course credit upon submission of the program application.  Audit requests will not be accommodated after a student pays for tuition and is enrolled in courses abroad.

Students wishing to appeal any decisions made with regard to academic policies or an academic concern or problem of a general nature can click here to submit an Academic Appeal, Complaint, or Waiver Request through Oglethorpe University.

E. Disabilities, Diversity & Special Accommodations

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, all LeadAbroad programs promote non-discrimination of disabled individuals and provide reasonable academic accommodations when appropriate. An academic accommodation is a modification that enables students to participate in a program of study by incorporating adjustments to ensure their rights, access, and privileges are equal to those without disabilities. Some examples of academic accommodations may include extended time on tests and quizzes, testing in a distraction free environment, the ability to tape-record lectures, or note-taking assistance in the classroom.

Any participant who needs academic accommodations in a program of study must contact LeadAbroad at least 90 days prior to the program start date. Please note, LeadAbroad cannot guarantee that late requests will be honored. To initiate the accommodation process, please contact the director of international programming at info@LeadAbroad.com.

In order to be approved for accommodations, students will be asked to complete the disabilities form in their student portal and provide documentation that supports registration with the disability services office at their home institution. Once documentation has been received, Oglethorpe’s Disability Services and LeadAbroad will work together to identify accommodation possibilities. Please keep in mind that LeadAbroad will not approve any accommodations that alter the fundamental nature of our curricula. If an accommodation request cannot be fulfilled, LeadAbroad will work with the student to identify other program opportunities.

Once approved, the student will receive a Letter of Accommodation (LOA) prior to his or her program start date. From there, it is the student’s responsibility to self-advocate by delivering the LOA directly to his or her instructors. LeadAbroad instructors are accustomed to accommodating students in the classroom. By delivering the LOA personally, this will alert the student’s instructor to initiate a conversation about his or her classroom needs. Finally, the instructor will be responsible for implementing any classroom accommodations, such as recruiting another student in the class to take notes or proctoring an exam for a student that requires extended time.

A student is responsible for providing documentation that supports his or her request for academic adjustments. LeadAbroad requires that the documentation demonstrates the student’s current enrollment in a disability services program at his or her home institution, specifies a list of the student’s approved accommodations, and has been signed by the school’s disability services professional. Please note, the documentation does not need to specify the student’s diagnosis given that this type of paperwork has already been supplied to his or her current disability services professional.

Participants should be aware that some LeadAbroad programs involve voluntary activities that require moderate exercise, such as hiking and biking; these activities are voluntary. In addition, some of the site locations may not be compliant with ADA standards of accessibility given their geographic location and different governing systems. Last, accommodations cannot be applied retroactively, accommodations begin in the classroom once the LOA is received by the instructor.

If any program participant feels that he or she is being treated unfairly in any way, please notify the supervising faculty member or LeadAbroad office immediately at info@LeadAbroad.com.

F. Social Media & Online Community Guidelines

LeadAbroad encourages current program participants, alumni, industry experts, academic affiliates, prospective participants and students’ friends and family to join our active social media pages. Users may share their experiences on the programs, engage in conversation, ask questions and submit photos/videos of LeadAbroad programs.

LeadAbroad’s social media presence includes Facebook, Instagram, Vimeo, TikTok, YouTube and LinkedIn.

It is our goal to provide a social media platform that is informative, productive and respectful of all users. When engaging with our social media, please comply with the following policies:

  • Be respectful: Inappropriate or degrading posts will be removed at the moderator’s discretion.
  • Usage rights: Posting text, photos or videos on LeadAbroad’s social media gives LeadAbroad the right to use the content. Students should not post media they do not want distributed.
  • Monitoring of accounts: LeadAbroad staff is active on all social media pages; however, immediate reply to a question, comment or concern may not always be possible. Should you need to get in touch with a staff member, please email info@LeadAbroad.com for a guaranteed response within 24 hours.
  • Participation: LeadAbroad social media reaches a large audience whose participation on our sites does not constitute an endorsement of products, goods or services. Views and opinions expressed on LeadAbroad social media by external individuals, companies or groups do not necessarily represent those of LeadAbroad or its employees.

G. Privacy Policy

This privacy policy discloses the privacy practices for LeadAbroad.com. This privacy policy applies solely to information collected by this website. It will notify you of the following:

  • What personally identifiable information is collected from you through the website, how it is used and with whom it may be shared
  • What choices are available to you regarding the use of your data
  • The security procedures in place to protect the misuse of your information
  • How you can correct any inaccuracies in the information

LeadAbroad is the sole owner of the information collected on this site. We only have access to/collect information that you voluntarily give us via email or other direct contact from you. We will not sell or rent this information to anyone.

We will use your information to respond to you, regarding the reason you contacted us. We will not share your information with any third party outside of our organization, other than as necessary to fulfill a request or operate our programs. Specifically, we will share academic information with our academic partner, Oglethorpe University, and health information with our local staff to ensure we are prepared to support participant health needs. These examples are not meant to be exhaustive but rather examples of approved information sharing.

Unless asked not to, we may contact students via email and/or text message in the future to tell them about LeadAbroad news and events, new programs or changes to this privacy policy.

LeadAbroad is compliant with TCPA laws and regulations. When we collect contact information in person, we always collect prior written consent from students by clearly and conspicuously asking them to agree to the following language prior to providing their telephone number:

“By participating, you consent to receive text messages sent by an automatic telephone dialing system. Consent to these terms is not a condition of purchase. Message and data rates may apply. Text STOP to opt-out.”

Online, we ask you to agree to our policies prior to submitting your phone number. By agreeing to our policies, you expressly give LeadAbroad permission to text your number. If a student or parent would like our text communication to stop, please email LeadAbroad directly or respond “STOP”.

You may opt out of any future contacts from us at any time. You can do the following at any time by contacting us via the email address or phone number given on our website:

  • See what data we have about you, if any
  • Change/correct any data we have about you
  • Have us delete any data we have about you
  • Express any concern you have about our use of your data

We take precautions to protect your information. When you submit sensitive information via the website, your information is protected both online and offline.

Wherever we collect sensitive information (such as credit card data), that information is encrypted and transmitted to us in a secure way. You can verify this by looking for a closed lock icon at the bottom of your web browser, or looking for “https” at the beginning of the address of the web page.

While we use encryption to protect sensitive information transmitted online, we also protect your information offline. Only employees who need the information to perform a specific job (for example, billing or customer service) are granted access to personally identifiable information.

Our Privacy Policy may change from time to time and all updates will be posted on this page.

If you feel that we are not abiding by this privacy policy, you should contact us immediately via telephone at 404.720.5657 or info@LeadAbroad.com.

H. COVID-19

LeadAbroad strongly recommends but does not require students to receive the COVID-19 vaccination. Students traveling with LeadAbroad who are not fully vaccinated assume significant risk to their international experience and must fully acknowledge the potential impacts of this decision.

Click here to access FAQ’s and more information regarding the COVID-19 vaccine requirement.

LeadAbroad requires all students to follow the destination country’s pre-departure COVID-19 testing rules and guidelines.

LeadAbroad will use its direct observation, U.S. Department of State recommendations, Overseas Security Advisory Council, CDC, WHO reports, other data sets referenced above, local partners and expert consultation to inform its decision on program operation.  In addition we will include the following considerations:

  • The ability of free movement in and out of the program country
  • Availability and predictability of flights
  • COVID-19 infection rates, availability of testing and overall capability of program city’s hospitals to meet health care needs
  • Local government plans and guidance
  • U.S. governmental health and safety advisory levels
  • Advice from our private security assistance company

LeadAbroad will utilize all the above information and unilaterally decide whether a program location has become unsafe and will be canceled. If LeadAbroad cancels the program, the student is entitled to a partial refund.

Click here for the full program cancellation and refund policy.