Dante Alighieri Siena

Allgemeine Geschäftsbedingungen

Englischsprachige Original-AGB, Stand 2024

These terms and conditions, together with the Online Application and the Standards of Conduct form a contract by and between the student (hereinafter, “Student”) and Dante Alighieri Siena – SienaLingue Srl, (hereinafter, the “School”).

ACCEPTANCE: The school will notify the student his/her acceptance or non-acceptance into the Program via email.

AIRFARE & TRAVEL TO/FROM SCHOOL: The Student is expected to travel completely independently to Siena. Student is solely responsible for getting to and from Siena, regardless of major flight delays, cancellations, or other complications. It is the Student’s responsibility to confirm flight(s). The School is not responsible for airline and airport policies, fees, delays, mechanical troubles, employees, weather delays, luggage damage, luggage weight allowances, lost luggage, accommodation or transportation for flight delays, compensation for flight delays or missed connections, or any other airline complications. In the event of an overnight flight delay, the School is not responsible for providing escorting/chaperoning services, overnight hotel accommodation, transportation, and meals. If a Student is denied boarding, or if the Student does not have the required travel documentation, or if the Student fails to board, the responsibility of making alternative travel arrangements and the cost of the same shall be the responsibility of the Student. The Student acknowledges that some airlines will not deliver lost baggage to the ticket holder at the ticket holder’s final destination. If this occurs, Student agrees that the cost of lost baggage reclamation is the financial responsibility of the Student. The Student acknowledges that the Program itinerary shall not be changed to accommodate meeting or connecting with a student whose flight was delayed, missed, or cancelled.

APPLICATION: The Student hereby makes application for acceptance into a program, (hereinafter the “Program”), to be conducted by the school. The School reserves the right to accept or reject the Student’s Application in its sole and absolute discretion. The Program begins when a representative of the School physically meets the Student at the School. The Program ends once the last lesson has ended.

BALANCE: The balance must be paid in full before the starting date of the course.

BEHAVIOUR & STANDARDS OF CONDUCT: The School naturally expects all Students to treat fellow students, flat mates and families with respect. Student agrees to the Standards of Conduct in its entirety and authority to dismiss or expel a Student based on violations or infractions of these standards. The Program directors will not allow disruptive or misbehaving Students to impair or diminish the Program benefits for the other Students. The Student hereby agrees to comply to the Standards of Conduct. The Student’s violation or disregard of the Standards of Conduct may be grounds for the expulsion of the student or restitution from the Program by a Program director or the School.

BREAK: Students booking for 12 weeks or more are entitled to take 2 weeks break which will not be counted as part of the 12 or more weeks of study. Students who wish to take a break must communicate the exact break dates to the Front Office Assistants. Housing during the break will not have to be paid if the Student takes all personal belongings and returns the keys to the landlord. On the other hand, it is possible for the Student to keep the housing during the break and pay for the entire period of stay.

CANCELLATION POLICY: A student may cancel their participation in the course at any time by delivering written notice to the School via email. The cancellation policy is as follows:

• More than 30 days before the beginning of the course – Refund: Tuition fees and accommodation costs minus the administration fee (€70);

• Between 30 and 15 days before the beginning of the course – Refund: Accommodation costs minus the administration fee (€70) and 30% of the tuition fees;

• Between 14 and 7 days before the beginning of the course – Refund: Accommodation costs minus the administration fee (€70) and 50% of the tuition fees;

• Less than 7 days before the start of the course – Refund: Accommodation costs minus the administration fee (€70), 100% of the tuition fees, and 50% of the accommodation costs;

• In case of no-show without notice, the School will charge the full Administration fees, Tuition fees, and Accommodation costs.

CANCELLATION POLICY IN CASE OF VISA REFUSAL: The student must send an official letter of visa refusal to the School. In such cases, the School will only require payment of the administration fee (€70) and any fees incurred for mailing documents to the student or the competent consulate. Any other payments received by the School from the student will be reimbursed in full.

COMPLAINTS: In case a student is not satisfied with the solution of an orally expressed criticism it is possible to file an official complaint. The form for such communication is easily available at the front office, and it is also shown during the orientation. The official complaint form has to be handed over to the Academic Director, who will submit it to the attention of the Board of Trustees, that is entitled to decide the course of action. The student will then state in the specific box of the same form the degree of satisfaction with the action taken. In order to file an official complaint the student must be attending a course and to be in good standing with the payments.

COURSE CHANGES: Deposits and fees are non-transferable and may not be accredited to other persons.

COURSE LEVEL CHANGES: Students who wish to change course level must refer to the Director of Studies.

EFFECTIVE DATE: The effective date of this Contract shall be deemed to be the date on which the Student sends the Application Form.

ENROLMENT AND PAYMENT: Applications should be sent to the booking office at least 30 days before the beginning of the course together with the deposit (200,00 Euro). For application sent less than 30 days before the beginning of the course, the total fees must be paid in full. The Student is required to send by fax/email copy of the bank transfer or make credit card payment online.

FEES INCLUDE: Lessons, certificates, use of facilities such as the library and study zones, WI-Fi connection at the School, and the “Co-curricular and Social Activities” offered by the School (trips/activities requiring additional payment are not included).

FEES DO NOT INCLUDE: Textbooks, Accommodation, official PLIDA Examination Fees, transfer to and from the train-station/airport, bank charges, insurance, and any other fees not expressly mentioned under “Fees Include”.

FORCE MAJEURE: The School shall not be responsible for its non-performance under this Contract, in whole or in part, if such non-performance is on account of events outside the control of the School including, but not limited to, acts of God, war, labour strikes, transportation strikes, political turmoil/revolt, or inclement weather. COVID-19 UPDATE: Cancellations due to restrictions caused by the pandemic will be entirely reimbursed.

WITHDRAWAL: Students spontaneously withdrawing from a course for personal reasons that are not attributable to the school’s misconduct or gross negligence are not entitled to any reimbursement or monetary compensation for the activities, lessons, and housing the student renounced of their own volition.

HOLD HARMLESS: Student hereby releases, discharges, acquits, indemnifies and holds harmless the School, its officers, directors, shareholders and employees, and the program directors, including their heirs or assigns, from any and all claims, demands, liabilities and/or causes of action, of whatever kind or character, relating to any illness, accident, injury, death that may be sustained by Student, and/or any property loss, damage, or theft that may be sustained by Student, during, or after the Program, and/or any financial loss that may be incurred by Student as a result of Student’s expulsion or dismissal from the program.

HOUSING: By carefully following the preferences specified by the Student in the enrolment form, the accommodation department does its best to ensure that the Student is placed in the most suitable housing choice. Student should specify any particular requirements and expectations in the enrolment form, dietary restrictions, allergies, health protocol, etc. Students are responsible for the day to day cleaning of their room/apartment.

HOUSING CHANGES: Housing changes will be taken into consideration after student’s written claim, which shall explain the reason(s) of housing change. Housing will be changed in the event that there is a serious problem or particular situation requiring a need of housing change. The School will apply a fee of 50€ for unjustified changes. Unjustified changes include complaints about features of the accommodation that were already communicated in the apartment description, personal preferences or dislikes regarding the host family or flatmates, and noises arising from occasional extraordinary events related to the historical Contrade of Siena.

INFORMATION: The school will send the Student by email all the necessary information at least 2 weeks before the beginning of the course, and only after receiving the total fees due (course + accommodation + administration fees).

INSURANCE: Students are strongly advised to obtain medical and personal insurance before leaving their home country. Student shall be solely responsible for obtaining and maintaining health insurance. The School does not provide any insurance of any kind for the Student, including health, accident, life, or property loss. The Student acknowledges that in the event of a medical need that requires medical attention, evacuation or repatriation, that any such care or evacuation is at the Student’s sole expense.

LANGUAGE OF LESSONS: All of the School’s lessons and activities are held in Italian unless otherwise specified.

LIMITATION OF SCHOOL’S FINANCIAL LIABILITY: In no event shall the School be liable to the Student for an amount of money exceeding the amount paid by the Student for the Program less all costs and expenses incurred by the School on the Student’s behalf. Such costs and expenses include, but are not limited to, airfare, transportation, tours, tour guides, excursions, events, attractions, hotel/lodging, meals, housing, courses, classes, instruction, and tutoring. Any damage, expulsion, or unforeseen on-site expenses or fees related to the Student are pre-authorized and pre-approved by the Student.

LOST/STOLEN OBJECTS: The School is not responsible for any lost/stolen objects in or out of the School (including accommodation).

MINIMUM AGE: The School will accept Students under 18 years of age only under the supervision and legal responsibility of the Student’s parent(s) or legal guardian(s).

MINIMUM NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: The School reserves the right to offer an alternative course of equal value in the event of a class level that does not reach the minimum of 4 students. With 1 student the School will offer 2 private lesson per day. In case of 2 students the School will offer 3 mini-group lessons. In case of 3 students the School will offer 3,5 mini-group lessons. For the culinary classes included in the Cultural/Culinary programs, with 1 participant the School will offer 1 private lesson, instead of 2 culinary group lessons.

PASSPORT, VISA, AND TRAVEL DOCUMENTATION: Passport, visa and other required travel documentation depend upon the Student’s nationality. Having proper travel documentation in hand at time of travel is the sole responsibility of the Student. The Student’s passport should expire no less than 6 months from the Program’s ending date. Refunds will not be given for failure to provide valid passport, visa or other required travel documentation.

PAYMENT METHODS: Student must provide evidence of payment to the School. The School accepts cash, credit cards (Visa and MasterCard), bank transfer in Euro, bank transfer in US dollars, etc.

PERSONAL DATA: Student authorizes the treatment of his/her personal data according to the current Italian and European directives concerning privacy policy (Law No. 196 of 30 June, 2003 and section No. 13 of the General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679). Students agree to periodically receive information, publicity or promotional material. Students may, at any time, request in written such personal data to be removed from the mailing list of the School, in accordance with Italian law.

POSTPONING: The School will apply a 50,00 Euro accommodation fee to Students who postpone the beginning of a course with two weeks or more written notice. With less than one-week notice, the Student must pay one-week accommodation fee. These fees do not apply in case of postponing due to documented Visa issues.

PROGRAM RISKS: Student acknowledges and accepts the risks associated with the participation in the Program including, but not limited to, Student’s illness, accident, injury, or death. Student also acknowledges and accepts the risk of loss, damage, or theft of personal property during the Program including, but not limited to, personal items, baggage, clothing, jewellery, phone, camera equipment, computers, travel documents, travel tickets, credit cards, debit cards, and/or cash. The Student hereby expressly accepts all risks associated with participation in the Program. The School will not be responsible for assisting students to recover lost, stolen, or misplaced items.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS: No lessons will take place on public holidays as indicated in the Application Form. No refunds or make-up lessons will be held for lessons not held on these dates. For the Palio, on July 2nd and August 16th the School will close in the afternoon. Missed afternoon lessons on Palio dates will be re-scheduled.

PURCHASING & BOOKING AIRFARE: Airfare is completely and fully independent of the Program. The School does not refund airfare or airline change fees for any reason. It is the sole responsibility of the Student to accurately purchase airfare on the correct flights and dates even if a third party provider is used to book the ticket. The School is not responsible for service levels, accuracy of bookings, flight changes or cancellations, fees, or any other service provided by an airline or travel agency. The School is not responsible for improper bookings even if a copy of flight itinerary was forwarded to the School for verification. Any improper bookings or airline flights change will be at the full and sole responsibility of the Student.

REIMBURSEMENT: Any type of reimbursement requests (i.e. course fees, accommodation costs, etc.) will not be taken into consideration if submitted after the student’s departure from the School. Bank fees are not subject to reimbursement.

RELEASE OF PHOTO AND VIDEO USE: The Student acknowledges that the School has the right to use photos, films, or other images recorded of the Student while participating in the Program. Student accepts that these images may be used in brochures, catalogues, website, video/slide-show presentations, and all print media.

STUDENT INFLICTED DAMAGE: Students are wholly and fully financially responsible for paying any damage caused by their actions or behaviour. Damage caused by the Student includes, but is not limited to, property damage in home-stay, apartments, residence, damage at a hotel or accommodation venue, damage on transportation, and personal physical damage or injuries. If any damage is incurred to the property of the School or to third parties contracted by the School, the cost of the damage(s) must be settled immediately at the School by those responsible.

STUDY GRANTS: 30% reduction (minimum registration 4 weeks) for grants awarded by the Italian Foreign Office, 10% discount on all course prices to members of the Clergy, international organization and foreign embassies, members of the Società Dante Alighieri (minimum registration 4 weeks), Erasmus students based in Siena (minimum registration 4 weeks).

STUDENT VISA: Citizens of the European Union and EEA states do not require a permit to stay in Italy. Non-EU Citizens must contact the nearest Italian Embassy or Consulate for details regarding entry permits. The School will provide the documents needed to obtain a visa. By law, these documents may only be issued after the Student has registered and all course fees are paid in full. Students are responsible for obtaining their visa and for any visa-related expenses such as mailing charges (costs vary depending on the country of destination, please feel free to ask the School’s staff) which will be added to the total course fees.

TRANSPORTATION: The School will provide assistance with obtaining monthly student bus passes. The School also offers an airport pick-up service to/from Siena to/from Pisa, Florence, Bologna and Rome. Student must book this service through the enrolment form and must provide exact flight details.

VENUE: In the event any dispute arises concerning this Contract, venue shall lie in Siena, Italy.

Standards of Conduct – Procedures for Dismissal

By clicking the “I have read and agree to the Terms & Conditions” check-box, Student constitutes acceptance of these Terms and Conditions and the Standards of Conduct. The Online Application, Terms and Conditions, and Standards of Conduct form the Contract between the Student and the School. Student’s acknowledge that they have read the Online Application & Refund Policy, the Terms and Conditions, and the Standards of Conduct, and agree to them in their entirety.

The Programs shown in our web-site/brochure are only indicative, the School reserves the right to alter dates, times and contents of courses at any time. The School will give the Student the revised schedule upon arrival at the School. The School reserves the right to adjust fees in the event of particular international monetary situations.

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