Abroad Escape

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Please read these Terms and Conditions carefully. By submitting an application, accepting a proposal, paying a deposit, or making any payment to Abroad Escape Ltd, you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.

These Terms explain Abroad Escape’s role as a placement and booking-support agency, the role of independent local program partners, what is included and not included, and your responsibilities before and during travel.

1. Company Information

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

In these Terms:

  • “Abroad Escape”, “we”, “us”, and “our” means Abroad Escape Ltd.
  • “You” and “your” means the participant, applicant, volunteer, intern, traveller, parent, guardian, or person making a booking or payment.
  • “Local Partner” means the independent in-country organisation, host organisation, project provider, accommodation provider, coordinator, or local team responsible for delivering the local program services in the destination country.
  • “Program” means the volunteer, internship, educational, cultural, conservation, community, or related placement described in your proposal or booking confirmation.
  • “Total Program Price” means the total price shown to you for your selected Program, excluding flights, travel insurance, visas, vaccinations, background checks, optional activities, personal expenses, and any other items not expressly included.

2. Our Role as a Placement and Booking-Support Agency

Abroad Escape acts as an intermediary placement and booking-support agency.

We help participants choose, plan, and arrange suitable volunteer, internship, educational, cultural, community, conservation, or related placements with independent Local Partners.

Our services may include:

  • destination and program guidance;
  • placement matching;
  • proposal preparation;
  • communication with Local Partners;
  • booking administration;
  • pre-departure information;
  • payment administration;
  • general support before departure.

Abroad Escape does not own, operate, manage, or control the Local Partners, local projects, accommodation, transport providers, facilities, staff, coordinators, or in-country operations.

The in-country elements of your Program are delivered by the Local Partner. These may include, depending on the Program confirmed in your proposal:

  • project placement;
  • accommodation;
  • meals;
  • airport pickup;
  • orientation;
  • local coordination;
  • local transport where listed;
  • local support;
  • project supervision.

Your contract with Abroad Escape is for our placement, guidance, administration, and booking-support services. Your in-country Program services are delivered by the relevant Local Partner.

3. Nature of the Program

Abroad Escape arranges volunteer, internship, educational, cultural, community, conservation, and related placements that require active participation.

Abroad Escape does not sell flight-inclusive holidays. We do not sell flights, arrange flight-inclusive packages, or provide ATOL-protected travel services.

You are responsible for arranging your own:

  • flights;
  • travel insurance;
  • visas;
  • vaccinations;
  • medical checks;
  • background checks where required;
  • personal travel plans;
  • independent travel before or after the Program.

Any accommodation, meals, airport pickup, orientation, local support, or local transport included in your proposal are provided by the Local Partner to support your participation in the Program.

Nothing in these Terms is intended to exclude or restrict any rights you may have under applicable consumer law.

4. Total Program Price and Payment Structure

Abroad Escape may show and charge one clear Total Program Price for your selected Program. We do this to make pricing simple and transparent.

Your Total Program Price may include:

Abroad Escape’s placement guidance, proposal preparation, booking support, administration, communication with Local Partners, payment administration, and pre-departure support; and
the Local Partner’s in-country Program services, which may include your project placement, accommodation, meals, airport pickup, orientation, local coordination, and local support, depending on the Program confirmed in your proposal.

Where part of your payment relates to Local Partner services, Abroad Escape may collect that amount as an intermediary and remit it to the relevant Local Partner to secure your placement and local arrangements.

Your proposal and/or booking confirmation will show:

the Total Program Price;
the €200 deposit required to secure your place, unless your proposal states otherwise;
the balance due;
the payment deadlines;
what is included;
what is not included;
any important destination-specific conditions.

Your deposit is deducted from your Total Program Price. It is not an extra fee.

Unless stated otherwise in writing, your Total Program Price does not include:

flights;
travel insurance;
visas;
vaccinations;
medical checks;
background checks;
personal spending money;
optional activities;
return airport transfer;
independent travel before or after the Program;
extra nights;
private rooms;
upgrades;
additional transport not listed in your proposal.

Prices may be shown in different currencies for convenience. Where exchange rates, bank charges, card fees, or payment-provider charges apply, these are outside Abroad Escape’s control unless expressly stated otherwise.

5. Deposits, Balance Payments, and Confirmation

To secure your place, you will normally be required to pay a €200 deposit, unless your proposal states otherwise.

Your deposit is deducted from your Total Program Price. It is not an extra fee.

Your place is not confirmed until:

we have received the required deposit or payment;
the Local Partner has confirmed availability where required;
you have received written confirmation from Abroad Escape.

Your remaining balance is normally due 45 days before your Program start date, unless your proposal or booking confirmation states otherwise.

If you do not pay the balance by the required deadline, Abroad Escape and/or the Local Partner may treat your booking as cancelled. In that case, cancellation terms may apply.

6. Cancellations and Changes by You

We understand that plans change. However, once you book, Abroad Escape may start placement matching, administration, Local Partner coordination, and payment processing. The Local Partner may also reserve accommodation, project space, airport pickup, local coordination, and other arrangements for you.

Flexible changes

You can request a free change of date, destination, or Program up to 30 days before your Program start date, subject to Local Partner availability and any price difference.

Changes are not guaranteed until confirmed in writing by Abroad Escape and/or the Local Partner.

If you request a change less than 30 days before your Program start date, we will try to help where reasonably possible, but changes may not be available and additional costs may apply.

Cancellations

If you cancel after paying your deposit, your deposit may be non-refundable because Abroad Escape may already have started placement matching, proposal preparation, administration, Local Partner coordination, and payment processing.

If you cancel 45 days or more before your scheduled Program start date, we will review what part of any balance payment can be refunded after deducting:

any Abroad Escape service work already performed;
any non-recoverable Local Partner costs;
payment-processing costs;
banking costs;
card fees;
currency-exchange losses;
any stated administration fee;
any destination-specific cancellation costs.

If you cancel less than 45 days before your scheduled Program start date, your Total Program Price may be non-refundable because local arrangements, accommodation, project logistics, and support services may already have been committed by the Local Partner.

Where possible, we may offer a transfer to another date, destination, or Program instead of a refund, subject to:

Local Partner approval;
availability;
destination restrictions;
price differences;
seasonal rules;
visa or eligibility requirements;
any non-recoverable costs already incurred.

Transfers are not guaranteed.

Refunds are normally processed back to the original payment method where possible. Abroad Escape is not responsible for exchange-rate differences, bank charges, card-provider fees, payment-provider fees, or other costs outside our control.

7. Cancellations or Changes by Abroad Escape or the Local Partner

Programs depend on local availability, community needs, accommodation capacity, project requirements, local laws, school terms, conservation seasons, weather, public holidays, transport conditions, safety conditions, and operational circumstances.

The Local Partner may need to change, postpone, substitute, or cancel elements of the Program where reasonably necessary.

Changes may include, but are not limited to:

  • project type;
  • project schedule;
  • accommodation;
  • room arrangements;
  • meal arrangements;
  • airport pickup arrangements;
  • local transport;
  • orientation;
  • local activities;
  • location within the destination;
  • start dates;
  • weekly schedule.

If a material change is made before departure, Abroad Escape will try to help arrange a suitable alternative where reasonably possible. This may include an alternative date, destination, project, accommodation arrangement, or Program option.

Abroad Escape is not responsible for changes caused by events outside our reasonable control, including Force Majeure events.

8. Force Majeure

Abroad Escape is not liable for failure to perform, delay, cancellation, disruption, additional cost, or loss caused by events outside our reasonable control.

Force Majeure events may include, but are not limited to:

  • natural disasters;
  • severe weather;
  • war;
  • civil unrest;
  • terrorism;
  • political instability;
  • pandemics;
  • epidemics;
  • government restrictions;
  • border closures;
  • airline disruption;
  • strikes;
  • public health measures;
  • visa restrictions;
  • local authority decisions;
  • project closures;
  • accommodation closures;
  • transport disruption;
  • power or internet failures;
  • insolvency or failure of a Local Partner or third-party supplier.

Where a Force Majeure event affects your Program, Abroad Escape will try to assist with communication and possible alternatives where reasonably possible.

9. Mandatory Travel and Medical Insurance

It is a strict condition of booking that all participants hold comprehensive travel and medical insurance before departure.

Your policy must be suitable for your destination, Program type, activities, travel dates, and personal circumstances.

Your insurance should include, where available and appropriate:

  • medical expenses;
  • emergency treatment;
  • emergency repatriation;
  • cancellation;
  • curtailment;
  • personal liability;
  • volunteer work or internship activity;
  • baggage and personal belongings;
  • travel delay;
  • missed departure;
  • supplier failure or insolvency cover where available.

You are responsible for checking that your insurance covers your Program and destination.

Abroad Escape may request proof of insurance before departure. Abroad Escape and/or the Local Partner may cancel or refuse your participation if you do not provide proof of suitable insurance when requested.

Travel insurance is arranged by you directly with your chosen insurance provider. Abroad Escape does not provide insurance advice.

10. Passports, Visas, Vaccinations, and Entry Requirements

You are responsible for ensuring that you have:

  • a valid passport;
  • sufficient passport validity for your destination;
  • the correct visa or entry permission;
  • required vaccinations;
  • required medical checks;
  • required background checks;
  • any documents required by the Local Partner;
  • any documents required by local authorities.

You must check official government, embassy, immigration, and health sources before travel.

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

Abroad Escape is not responsible if you are refused boarding, refused entry, denied a visa, removed from a Program, or unable to participate because of incorrect, missing, late, or invalid documents.

11. Suitability, Medical Disclosure, and Background Checks

Some Programs require additional suitability checks, experience, qualifications, documents, medical information, vaccinations, language ability, criminal-record checks, or background checks.

This may apply especially to:

  • childcare;
  • teaching;
  • special-needs support;
  • medical placements;
  • animal care;
  • conservation;
  • sports coaching;
  • construction;
  • internships;
  • programs involving vulnerable people.

You must provide accurate information about your age, health, medical conditions, mental health, dietary requirements, allergies, medication, mobility, criminal record, experience, and any other issue that may affect your suitability or safety.

Abroad Escape and/or the Local Partner may refuse, change, postpone, or cancel your placement if the Program is not suitable for your age, health, behaviour, documentation, experience, language level, legal eligibility, or personal circumstances.

Failure to disclose relevant information may result in cancellation or removal from the Program without refund.

12. Your Responsibilities and Code of Conduct

You agree to follow:

  • the laws of the destination country;
  • Local Partner rules;
  • accommodation rules;
  • project rules;
  • safeguarding policies;
  • health and safety instructions;
  • cultural expectations;
  • reasonable instructions from local staff and coordinators.

You must behave respectfully towards:

  • local communities;
  • children;
  • vulnerable people;
  • animals;
  • staff;
  • other participants;
  • accommodation providers;
  • project beneficiaries;
  • local customs and culture.

You must not:

  • behave illegally, aggressively, abusively, or disrespectfully;
  • attend the project while under the influence of alcohol or drugs;
  • possess or use illegal drugs;
  • endanger yourself or others;
  • breach safeguarding rules;
  • take inappropriate photos or videos;
  • post harmful or disrespectful content online;
  • damage property;
  • ignore safety instructions;
  • bring Abroad Escape, the Local Partner, or the host community into disrepute.

The Local Partner may remove you from the Program without refund if your behaviour is considered unsafe, illegal, disruptive, disrespectful, harmful, or unsuitable.

Abroad Escape may also end its support services if you seriously breach these Terms or Local Partner rules.

13. Accommodation, Meals, Airport Pickup, and Local Support

Accommodation, meals, airport pickup, orientation, local coordination, and local support are provided by the Local Partner only where listed in your proposal or booking confirmation.

Standards vary by destination and may be simpler than accommodation in your home country. Shared rooms, shared bathrooms, basic facilities, local food, limited Wi-Fi, limited hot water, power interruptions, insects, animals, noise, and cultural differences may be part of the local experience.

Airport pickup may only be available on specific days, at specific times, or from specific airports. If you arrive outside the stated pickup window, you may need to arrange and pay for your own transfer.

Meals may vary by destination, day, public holiday, local availability, dietary requirement, or accommodation arrangement.

Special dietary requirements cannot always be guaranteed.

14. Complaints and Problems During the Program

If you experience a problem during your Program, you must report it as soon as possible to the Local Partner so they have a fair opportunity to resolve it locally.

You should also inform Abroad Escape by email or WhatsApp so we can assist with communication where reasonably possible.

If you do not report a problem during the Program, it may limit our ability to help resolve it afterwards.

Complaints should be submitted in writing to support@abroadescape.com within 28 days of the end of your Program.

Please include:

  • your full name;
  • destination;
  • Program dates;
  • a clear description of the issue;
  • evidence where available;
  • what outcome you are requesting.

15. Website Information, Proposals, and Accuracy

We try to keep website information, destination pages, prices, inclusions, exclusions, dates, schedules, accommodation details, and Program descriptions accurate and up to date.

However, local conditions, availability, currency changes, project needs, accommodation, meals, schedules, local support, start dates, and operational details may change.

Your individual written proposal and booking confirmation will take priority over general website information where there is a difference.

Images, videos, reviews, testimonials, and example schedules are illustrative. They may not show the exact project, accommodation, room, meal, location, activity, or schedule you personally receive.

16. Reviews, Photos, Videos, and Marketing

If you provide Abroad Escape with photos, videos, reviews, written feedback, or testimonials, you grant Abroad Escape permission to use them for marketing, website, social media, email, and promotional purposes unless you tell us otherwise in writing.

We will not knowingly use sensitive personal information without appropriate permission.

You must not provide photos or videos of children, vulnerable people, local staff, project beneficiaries, or private local settings unless you have permission and the content complies with Local Partner rules and safeguarding requirements.

17. Data Protection and Communication

By enquiring, applying, requesting a proposal, or booking, you agree that Abroad Escape may process your personal information for the purpose of:

  • responding to your enquiry;
  • preparing your proposal;
  • assessing suitability;
  • arranging your placement;
  • communicating with Local Partners;
  • managing payments;
  • providing pre-departure support;
  • handling questions, changes, cancellations, or complaints.

Where necessary, we may share relevant information with Local Partners to assess suitability, confirm availability, arrange accommodation, coordinate airport pickup, and support your Program.

We may contact you by email, WhatsApp, phone, SMS, or other contact details you provide in relation to your enquiry, proposal, booking, payment, or Program.

You are responsible for providing accurate contact information and checking your messages before departure.

18. Limitation of Liability

Abroad Escape is responsible for providing its placement, proposal, communication, booking-support, and administrative services with reasonable care and skill.

Abroad Escape is not responsible for the delivery of in-country services provided by Local Partners, including accommodation, meals, airport pickup, orientation, local transport, project supervision, local coordination, or local support, except where applicable law says otherwise.

Because Abroad Escape acts as an intermediary agency, we are not liable for acts, omissions, defaults, negligence, delays, changes, cancellations, or failures by Local Partners, their employees, representatives, contractors, or third-party suppliers, except where applicable law says otherwise.

Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits liability for:

  • death or personal injury caused by our negligence;
  • fraud;
  • fraudulent misrepresentation;
  • breach of your statutory rights where such rights cannot legally be excluded;
  • any liability that cannot legally be excluded or limited under the law of England and Wales.

Subject to the above, Abroad Escape is not liable for indirect loss, consequential loss, loss of enjoyment, loss of opportunity, loss of profit, loss of earnings, additional travel costs, or financial loss arising from Local Partner actions, third-party suppliers, participant decisions, travel disruption, visa refusal, insurance refusal, Force Majeure, or events outside our reasonable control.

19. Local Partner Insolvency and Supplier Failure

Local Partners are independent organisations.

Abroad Escape is not responsible for the insolvency, closure, financial failure, or operational failure of a Local Partner or third-party supplier, except where applicable law says otherwise.

You are required to hold suitable travel insurance, and your policy should include supplier failure or insolvency cover where available.

If a Local Partner becomes unable to deliver a Program, Abroad Escape will try to assist with communication and possible alternatives where reasonably possible, but alternative arrangements are not guaranteed.

20. Minors and Parent or Guardian Consent

Participants under 18 may require written consent from a parent or legal guardian.

Some Programs may not accept minors, or may require additional documents, supervision, parental consent, or destination-specific approval.

Parents or guardians who make payments, sign forms, or communicate with Abroad Escape on behalf of a participant agree to these Terms.

21. Payments Made by Another Person

If another person pays on your behalf, you remain responsible for complying with these Terms.

The person making payment confirms that they are authorised to make the payment and understands that cancellation, refund, and transfer rules apply.

Refunds will normally be made to the original payment method where possible.

22. Changes to These Terms

The Terms that apply to your booking are the Terms in force at the time your booking is confirmed, unless a change is required by law or agreed with you in writing.

We may update these Terms from time to time for future bookings.

23. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms and Conditions, and any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with them, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of England and Wales.

The courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with these Terms, except where mandatory consumer law in your country of residence gives you additional rights that cannot legally be excluded.