TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Last Updated: September 2026

Please read these Terms and Conditions carefully.

By submitting an enquiry, requesting information, submitting an application, accepting a proposal, paying a deposit, making a payment, or confirming a booking with Abroad Escape, you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.

These Terms explain Abroad Escape's role, the role of independent Local Partners, payment and cancellation policies, participant responsibilities, and important travel requirements.

These Terms apply to volunteer programs, internship programs and related travel arrangements arranged through Abroad Escape.

1. Company Information

Abroad Escape is a trading name of Abroad Escape Ltd.

Abroad Escape Ltd is a company registered in England and Wales.

Company Number: 14937484

Registered Office:

3 Hornton Place
London
W8 4LZ
United Kingdom

Email: support@abroadescape.com

Throughout these Terms:

"Abroad Escape", "we", "us", and "our" refer to Abroad Escape Ltd.

"You" and "your" refer to the participant, volunteer, intern, traveller, applicant, parent, guardian, or person making a booking.

"Local Partner" refers to the independent organisation responsible for delivering volunteer programs, internship placements, accommodation, local support services, airport transfers, and related in-country services.

"Program" refers to the volunteer placement, internship placement, cultural experience, conservation project, educational placement, healthcare-related placement, or other experience confirmed in your proposal or booking.

"Program Services" means the services specifically identified in your proposal or booking confirmation, which may include a volunteer or internship placement, accommodation, orientation, airport transfer, meals, local support and other services provided by the relevant Local Partner.

2. Our Role

Abroad Escape is a volunteer and internship placement and booking-support agency.

We help participants arrange volunteer programs, internships, and meaningful travel experiences operated by independent Local Partners.

Our services may include:

Program recommendations
Destination guidance
Application support
Proposal preparation
Booking administration
Pre-departure support
Communication with Local Partners
Payment administration
General travel guidance

Abroad Escape does not directly own, operate, manage, or control:

Volunteer projects
Internship placements
Accommodation providers
Transport providers
Local coordinators
In-country staff
Project facilities
Volunteer activities
Internship activities

Volunteer placements, internships, accommodation, airport transfers, orientation, meals, local support services, and in-country program delivery are provided by the relevant Local Partner.

Depending on the particular booking structure, Abroad Escape may act as a booking agent, retailer or other intermediary, or may have responsibilities as an organiser where applicable law requires this. The applicable contractual role and the relevant supplier or organiser will be identified in your proposal, booking confirmation or other pre-contract information where required.

Nothing in these Terms is intended to exclude or restrict any statutory rights or responsibilities that apply to your booking, including rights that may arise under the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 where applicable.

3. Local Partners

Local Partners are independent organisations responsible for delivering volunteer placements, internships, accommodation, local support services, and other in-country arrangements.

Abroad Escape carefully selects Local Partners but does not control their day-to-day operations, staffing decisions, accommodation providers, transport arrangements, schedules, project activities, or local decisions.

Responsibility for program delivery remains with the relevant Local Partner except to the extent that applicable law makes Abroad Escape responsible for a service or obligation.

The identity of the relevant Local Partner, where appropriate, may be provided in your proposal, booking confirmation or pre-departure information.

The fact that Abroad Escape recommends or arranges a Program does not mean that Abroad Escape directly employs the local staff, owns the accommodation, or operates the volunteer or internship placement.

4. Program Pricing and Inclusions

Your proposal and booking confirmation will specify:

Total program price
Deposit amount
Payment schedule
Included services
Excluded services
Destination-specific information

Unless specifically stated otherwise, program fees do not include:

International flights
Travel insurance
Visas
Vaccinations
Medical checks
Police checks
Background checks
Personal spending
Optional excursions
Additional accommodation nights
Independent travel arrangements
Accommodation upgrades
Return airport transfers

Prices may be displayed in multiple currencies for convenience.

Exchange rate fluctuations, banking fees, card fees, and payment processing charges are outside our control.

Where a booking includes more than one travel service, the proposal and booking confirmation will identify the services included and the total price. Where the Package Travel Regulations apply, the information and rights required by those Regulations will also apply.

The price applicable to your booking is the price confirmed to you before the booking is accepted, subject to any changes permitted by applicable law and expressly provided for in your booking documentation.

5. Deposits and Payments

A deposit is required to secure your place.

The standard deposit is:

€200
£175
US$250

The applicable amount depends on the currency of your booking.

Your booking is not confirmed until:

The required deposit has been received
Availability has been confirmed where necessary
Written confirmation has been issued

The deposit is deducted from your total program price and is not an additional fee.

The remaining balance is generally due 45 days before your Program start date unless stated otherwise in writing.

Failure to pay the balance by the due date may result in cancellation of your booking.

Where your payment is processed by a third-party payment provider, that provider may process your payment and payment-card information in accordance with its own terms and privacy arrangements.

You are responsible for ensuring that the payment method you use is authorised for your use and that the information supplied in connection with the payment is accurate.

Where Abroad Escape collects payment on behalf of a Local Partner or other supplier, this will not necessarily mean that Abroad Escape is the provider of the underlying Program Services.

6. Changes and Cancellations by You

Changes

Requests to change destinations, dates, or Programs must be made in writing.

Changes are subject to:

Availability
Local Partner approval
Applicable price differences
Any non-recoverable costs already incurred in connection with the original booking

Where possible, we will allow one change free of charge if requested more than 30 days before departure.

Changes are not confirmed until approved in writing.

A change may require payment of additional costs where the new arrangements cost more or where the Local Partner or another supplier applies a non-recoverable change charge. If the new arrangements cost less, any applicable refund or credit will be explained before the change is confirmed.

International flights and other arrangements booked independently by you are your responsibility and may have separate change or cancellation conditions.

Cancellations

All cancellations must be submitted in writing.

If you cancel more than 45 days before departure:

Your deposit will be retained
Any remaining payments may be refunded where recoverable

If you cancel 45 days or less before departure:

Program fees are non-refundable due to commitments already made to Local Partners, accommodation providers, suppliers, and service providers.

Refunds will be processed to the original payment method where possible.

Exchange rate differences, bank fees, payment processing charges, and non-recoverable supplier costs may not be refundable.

Nothing in this section is intended to prevent any cancellation or refund right that you may have under applicable consumer or package-travel law.

7. Changes Affecting Your Program

Local Partners may occasionally need to make changes to Program arrangements due to:

Community requirements
Project availability
Conservation requirements
Accommodation availability
Local regulations
Public holidays
Safety considerations
Operational circumstances
Weather conditions

Some changes may be minor and may not materially affect the overall Program.

Where a significant change to a confirmed Program is required, we will communicate the change to you as soon as reasonably practicable and, where applicable, provide the options required by law.

Where a significant change becomes necessary before departure, reasonable efforts will be made to provide a suitable alternative.

This may include:

Alternative dates
Alternative accommodation
Alternative placements
Alternative projects
Alternative destinations

Where applicable law gives you a right to accept an alternative, reject the change, cancel without charge or receive a refund, those rights will apply.

If a Program cannot proceed as planned, available options will be discussed with you.

8. Travel Insurance

Comprehensive travel and medical insurance is mandatory for all participants.

Your policy should provide suitable cover for:

Medical expenses
Emergency medical treatment
Emergency evacuation
Repatriation
Trip cancellation
Trip interruption
Personal liability
Volunteer activities
Internship activities
Personal belongings

We strongly recommend insurance that includes supplier failure cover where available.

You are responsible for ensuring that your insurance policy provides appropriate cover for your destination, travel dates, and activities.

Your insurance should cover the entire period of your travel, including any independent travel before, during or after the Program where applicable.

Proof of insurance may be requested before departure.

Failure to provide suitable insurance may result in cancellation of participation.

You should check carefully that your insurer permits the specific volunteer, internship, healthcare, conservation, construction, animal-related, outdoor or other activities you intend to undertake.

9. Passports, Visas and Vaccinations

You are solely responsible for ensuring that you have:

A valid passport
Appropriate visas or entry permissions
Required vaccinations
Necessary health documentation
Required police checks or background checks
Any documents requested by the Local Partner
Any documents required by local authorities

Abroad Escape may provide general guidance but does not provide immigration, visa, legal, or medical advice.

No refunds will be provided where participation is prevented by missing, incorrect, expired, or invalid documentation, except where applicable law provides otherwise or the relevant supplier's cancellation terms provide a refund.

For internships, you are also responsible for ensuring that you meet any qualification, registration, professional, academic or institutional requirements applicable to the placement.

10. Program Suitability and Medical Disclosure

Not all Programs are suitable for all participants.

Certain Programs may require:

Minimum age requirements
Relevant qualifications
Previous experience
Language skills
Medical clearance
Police checks
Background screening
Additional documentation

You must provide accurate information regarding:

Medical conditions
Physical limitations
Allergies
Medication
Dietary requirements
Mental health conditions
Criminal convictions where relevant
Any information that may affect your participation

We will only request and use sensitive information where reasonably necessary for assessing suitability, arranging participation, safeguarding, safety, or meeting applicable legal or Local Partner requirements.

Health information is special category personal data under UK data-protection law and is subject to additional legal protections. Our Privacy Policy explains how this information is processed and shared.

Failure to disclose relevant information may result in cancellation, refusal of participation, or removal from a Program without refund where permitted by applicable law and the circumstances justify that action.

Participants are responsible for ensuring they are physically and mentally capable of participating in their chosen Program.

For internships involving healthcare, childcare, education, animals, construction or other specialist activities, participants must comply with all qualification, supervision, safeguarding and professional restrictions applicable to the placement.

11. Participants Aged Under 18

Some Programs may accept participants aged 17.

Participation by anyone under the age of 18 is subject to:

Written parental or guardian consent
Local Partner approval
Any destination-specific requirements
Additional safeguarding procedures where applicable

Not all Programs accept participants under 18.

Additional documentation may be required before participation is approved.

Parents and guardians remain responsible for participants travelling under their care.

A participant under 18 may not participate where the relevant Program or Local Partner does not accept their age group, even if parental consent has been provided.

Where a participant under 18 travels without a parent or legal guardian, additional consent, documentation, supervision or safeguarding requirements may apply.

12. Accommodation Standards

Accommodation may be provided by the Local Partner where stated in the Program description or booking confirmation.

Accommodation standards vary significantly between destinations.

Participants should understand that accommodation may differ from standards in their home country.

Depending on the destination, facilities may include:

Shared accommodation
Shared bathrooms
Limited internet access
Rural environments
Local-style accommodation
Occasional power interruptions
Limited hot water

Photographs displayed on our website are representative examples only.

Specific room types, views, furnishings, facilities, or accommodation layouts cannot be guaranteed.

Occasionally, accommodation substitutions may be necessary due to operational requirements.

Where accommodation is provided by a Local Partner, the Local Partner is responsible for the day-to-day operation and management of that accommodation.

Any material accommodation change that engages statutory rights will be handled in accordance with applicable law.

13. Participant Responsibilities and Code of Conduct

Participants agree to:

Follow local laws
Follow Local Partner instructions
Respect local customs and cultures
Behave responsibly
Follow health and safety guidance
Respect accommodation rules
Respect project rules and safeguarding requirements
Attend and participate in the Program as reasonably required
Follow reasonable instructions given by project or internship supervisors
Provide accurate information relevant to their participation
Inform the Local Partner promptly of any health, safety or other issue affecting their participation

Participants must not:

Engage in illegal activity
Use illegal drugs
Endanger themselves or others
Harass staff, participants, or community members
Damage property
Breach safeguarding policies
Behave in a manner that brings Abroad Escape, the Local Partner, or host communities into disrepute
Engage in discriminatory, abusive, threatening, exploitative or sexually inappropriate behaviour
Enter restricted areas or undertake activities contrary to Local Partner instructions
Bring unauthorised visitors into accommodation where prohibited
Ignore applicable accommodation rules, curfews or other reasonable local requirements

Participants must comply with applicable rules concerning alcohol and must not consume alcohol where prohibited by law, the Local Partner or the Program.

Participants must not engage in sexual conduct with children or vulnerable persons and must comply with all safeguarding requirements applicable to the Program.

Participants may be removed from a Program without refund for serious misconduct or other serious breach of these Terms, subject to applicable law.

If a participant is removed because of their conduct, they are responsible for their own costs of leaving the Program, including transport, accommodation and travel arrangements, unless applicable law provides otherwise.

14. Safeguarding, Photography and Social Media

Participants must follow all safeguarding policies implemented by Local Partners.

Photographs or videos involving:

Children
Vulnerable adults
Schools
Community projects
Healthcare environments

may only be taken where permitted.

Participants must respect local privacy expectations and safeguarding requirements at all times.

Social media content that is offensive, exploitative, disrespectful, misleading, or harmful may result in removal from a Program.

Participants must obtain permission before photographing or recording people where required by the Local Partner, applicable law or local safeguarding rules.

Participants must not publish confidential information, medical information, private documents or other sensitive information obtained through a volunteer or internship placement.

For healthcare, childcare, education and other sensitive placements, additional photography, recording and social-media restrictions may apply.

Abroad Escape may require content to be removed where reasonably necessary to address a legitimate safeguarding, privacy or confidentiality concern.

15. Risks of International Travel and Participation

International travel and participation in volunteer and internship Programs involve risks that may be different from those encountered in your home country.

Depending on the destination and Program, risks may include illness, injury, accidents, transport risks, food or water-related illness, unfamiliar environments, animals, weather, outdoor activities, construction or physical work, healthcare environments, remote locations, limited medical facilities, civil unrest, political instability and other events beyond your control.

You are responsible for taking reasonable precautions, following safety instructions and assessing whether the Program is appropriate for your circumstances.

You should seek appropriate medical and travel advice before departure and ensure that your insurance covers the activities you intend to undertake.

Nothing in this section excludes or limits any liability or statutory right that cannot legally be excluded or limited.

16. Independent Travel and Activities Outside the Program

Travel or activities that you arrange independently and that are not expressly included in your booking are undertaken at your own responsibility.

This includes, where applicable:

Independent weekend travel
Personal excursions
Travel before or after the Program
Transport arranged independently
Additional accommodation
Activities booked directly with third parties

When you leave the Program for independent travel, you remain responsible for your own safety, arrangements, insurance and expenses unless a specific service is included in your booking.

Abroad Escape and the Local Partner are not responsible for independently arranged services except to the extent required by applicable law.

17. No Guaranteed Outcomes

Volunteer programs and internships are influenced by local conditions, operational requirements, community needs, conservation priorities, staffing, qualification and supervision requirements, and seasonal factors.

Abroad Escape cannot guarantee:

Specific volunteer activities
Specific internship tasks
Particular project schedules
Community outcomes
Conservation outcomes
Animal sightings
Weather conditions
Cultural experiences
Employment opportunities
Academic credit
Career outcomes

Activities may vary according to local circumstances.

For internships, participation does not guarantee professional registration, academic credit, employment, qualification, a job offer, a particular level of practical responsibility or permission to perform regulated professional activities.

18. Complaints

If a problem arises during your Program, you must notify the Local Partner as soon as possible so they have an opportunity to address the issue locally.

You should also notify Abroad Escape by email as soon as reasonably possible.

Complaints relating to accommodation, volunteer activities, internships, airport transfers, local support services, or other in-country arrangements may need to be reviewed by the relevant Local Partner.

Where a problem occurs during a Program, you should give the relevant Local Partner and Abroad Escape a reasonable opportunity to investigate and, where possible, correct the problem while you are still in the destination.

We ask that formal complaints are submitted in writing as soon as reasonably possible after the issue arises and, where possible, within 28 days of completing your Program. This does not remove or restrict any statutory right you may have to bring a claim.

Where applicable package-travel law provides specific complaint or assistance rights, those rights will apply.

19. Data Protection and Privacy

We process personal information for purposes including:

Handling enquiries
Preparing proposals
Assessing suitability
Managing bookings
Coordinating with Local Partners
Providing customer support
Facilitating Program participation

Relevant information may be shared with Local Partners where necessary to facilitate your participation.

Personal information is processed in accordance with applicable data protection laws.

We do not rely on these Terms alone as a general consent to process personal data. Our Privacy Policy explains the relevant purposes, lawful bases, categories of information, sharing arrangements and your rights.

Where health information or other special-category data is processed, additional legal requirements apply.

Where criminal conviction or offence information is processed, additional legal requirements also apply.

You may receive transactional communications relating to your enquiry, proposal, booking, payment or Program where necessary to administer your relationship with us. Marketing communications will be handled in accordance with applicable marketing and data-protection requirements.

20. Force Majeure and Events Beyond Reasonable Control

Abroad Escape is not responsible for delays, changes, cancellations, losses, or additional costs arising from events beyond our reasonable control.

Such events may include:

Natural disasters
Extreme weather
War
Terrorism
Civil unrest
Government restrictions
Epidemics
Pandemics
Border closures
Airline disruption
Transport failures
Strikes
Supplier failures
Local authority decisions

Where an event affects a booking, we will provide reasonable assistance and communicate available options, subject to the responsibilities of the relevant Local Partner or other supplier and any rights provided by applicable law.

Where possible, we will assist participants in identifying alternative arrangements.

Nothing in this section removes any refund, cancellation, assistance or other right that cannot legally be excluded.

21. Responsibility and Limitation of Liability

Abroad Escape will provide its services with reasonable care and skill.

Our responsibility includes the services we directly provide, including:

Program guidance
Application support
Booking administration
Customer support
Communication with Local Partners
Pre-departure assistance

Where a service is provided by an independent Local Partner or other third-party supplier, responsibility for the performance of that service generally rests with the relevant provider, subject to any responsibilities imposed on Abroad Escape by applicable law.

We are not responsible for:

Actions or omissions of Local Partners
Actions of third-party suppliers
Airline disruptions
Visa refusals
Government decisions
Participant conduct
Changes to volunteer activities
Changes to internship activities
Accommodation decisions made by Local Partners
Events beyond our reasonable control

However, nothing in these Terms excludes or limits liability where such exclusion or limitation would be unlawful, including liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation, or any other liability that cannot legally be excluded or limited.

Nothing in these Terms affects your statutory rights as a consumer.

Where the Package Travel Regulations apply to your booking, any liability, assistance, refund or other obligations imposed on the relevant organiser or retailer by those Regulations will apply.

22. Program and Supplier Information

We aim to ensure that information provided about Programs is accurate and current at the time it is supplied. Program details can nevertheless change because they depend on independent Local Partners, local conditions and operational requirements.

Where information is identified as subject to availability or confirmation, it is not guaranteed until confirmed in writing.

Where we identify a Local Partner or supplier as the provider of a service, that distinction is intentional and should not be interpreted as Abroad Escape directly operating that service.

23. Alternative Programs and Horizon Impact Travel

Abroad Escape offers volunteer programs and internship programs and primarily serves students, graduates, young professionals, gap-year travellers, and adults seeking international volunteer or internship experiences.

Travellers seeking:

Private accommodation
Greater comfort and privacy
Family-friendly volunteer experiences
Volunteer travel specifically designed for adults aged 30+

may wish to explore Horizon Impact Travel, a specialist brand operated by Abroad Escape Ltd.

Any enquiry, booking, or participation through Horizon Impact Travel remains subject to the separate terms, policies, and conditions applicable to that brand.

24. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time to reflect changes to our services, legal requirements or operational arrangements.

The Terms applicable to your booking are those that apply when your booking is accepted, unless a change is required by law or you expressly agree to a later change.

We will not use a subsequent change to these Terms to remove or reduce contractual rights that have already arisen under an accepted booking, except where permitted by law.

25. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of England and Wales.

Any dispute arising in connection with these Terms shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales, except where mandatory consumer protection legislation gives you the right to bring proceedings in another jurisdiction or otherwise provides different rights.

Contact

Questions regarding these Terms and Conditions should be directed to:

support@abroadescape.com

Abroad Escape Ltd
3 Hornton Place
London W8 4LZ
United Kingdom

Abroad Escape Ltd is a company registered in England and Wales (Company No. 14937484).