Study Abroad Application

Columbia College Chicago offers students the opportunity to enroll in overseas study programs, some operated by different education institutions. Certain potential risks to personal health and safety are associated with international travel and residence in a foreign country. You should not participate in a study abroad program unless you understand and are willing to accept the associated risks. Columbia College Chicago cannot guarantee the health and safety of participants in a study abroad program or eliminate all risks from study abroad environments. 
 
By signing below, you agree to accept the following:

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I have agreed to participate in the program associated with this application (the “Program”). I understand and hereby acknowledge that my participation in the Program is wholly voluntary. Columbia College Chicago has agreed to let me participate in the program and I, in turn, agree to the following:

1. Risks of Education Abroad.
   • I understand that participation in the Program involves risks, hazards, and dangers not found in the study at Columbia College Chicago. I am aware of, understand, acknowledge, appreciate that these risks, dangers, and hazards involve: traveling to and within, and returning from, one or more foreign countries, including risks of air travel and all other types of transportation that could result in damage to property, injury to persons, or death; foreign political, legal, social, and economic conditions; different standards of design, safety and maintenance of utilities, including computing facilities, buildings, public places and conveyances; and local sanitation, medical, and weather conditions, including, without limitation, varying governmental responses to the COVID-19 pandemic and other health or safety emergencies. I am aware of, understand, acknowledge, and appreciate the risks, hazards, and dangers of travel to, in and around the location of the Program, including but not limited to the dangers to my own health and personal safety, including loss of property, personal injury, or death posed by war, terrorism, crime, civil unrest, kidnapping, illness, public health risks, accidents, and/or violence. Applicable current travel advisories issued by the U.S. Department of State and the Center for Disease Control information materials either have been received or Internet site addresses provided to me. Further, I have made my own investigation and I am willing to accept these risks, hazards, and dangers.
2. Health and Safety.
   1. I hereby represent and warrant that I am and will be covered throughout the Program by a policy of comprehensive health and accident insurance, which provides comprehensive health and accident insurance policy for injuries and illnesses (including, without limitation, COVID-19) I sustain or experience overseas, and, more specifically, in the country that I will be living and/or traveling while on the Program, as well as emergency evacuation and repatriation of remains insurance. 
   2. I hereby represent and warrant that my health insurance policy will adequately cover me while outside the United States. I agree to report to the Services for Students with Disabilities Office any physical or mental condition I have, which may require special medical attention or accommodation during the Program as early as possible, but no later than thirty (30) days prior to departure from the U.S. 
   3. I acknowledge and recognize that Columbia College Chicago is not obligated to attend to any of my medical or medication needs, and I assume all risk and responsibility therefore. If I require medical treatment or hospital care, in a foreign country or in the United States, during my participation in the Program, Columbia College Chicago is not responsible for the cost or quality of such treatment or care. Columbia College Chicago may (but is not obligated to) take any actions it considers to be warranted under the circumstances regarding my health and safety. I agree to pay all expenses related thereto and hereby release Columbia College Chicago from any liability for any such actions. 
3. Changes to Program and Responsibility.
   1. I understand and acknowledge Columbia College Chicago does not represent or act as an agent for, and cannot control the acts or omissions of, any host institution, host family, transportation carrier, hotel, tour organizer, or other provider of goods or services in connection with the Program. 
   2. I understand and acknowledge that Columbia College Chicago reserves the right to make changes to the Program (including equipment substitutions or alterations in the proposed itinerary) at any time and for any reason, with or without notice, and Columbia College Chicago shall not be liable for any loss whatsoever to me by reason of any such cancellation or change. Columbia College Chicago is not responsible for penalties assessed by air, land, water carriers and/or other transportation that may result due to operation and/or itinerary changes, regardless of whether Columbia College Chicago makes such arrangement. Columbia College Chicago, reserves the right to substitute hotels or accommodations or housing of a similar category at any time. Specific room and housing assignments are within the sole discretion of Columbia College Chicago. 
   3. I understand and acknowledge that Columbia College Chicago assumes no responsibility or liability, in whole or in part, for: any delays, delayed or changed departure or arrival times; fare changes, dishonors of hotel, airline or vehicle rental reservations; missed carrier connections; sickness, disease, injuries (including death), losses, damages, weather, strikes, acts of God, circumstances beyond the control of Columbia College Chicago, force majeure, war, quarantine, civil unrest, kidnapping, public health risks, criminal activity, terrorism, expense, accident, injuries, damage to and lost property; bankruptcies of airlines or other service providers; travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic or other conditions; inconveniences, cessation of operations, mechanical defects, failure or negligence of any nature howsoever caused in connection with any accommodations, restaurant, transportation, or other service or for any substitution of hotels or of common carriers beyond Columbia College Chicago’s control, with or without notice; or for any additional expense occasioned by any of the foregoing. If due to weather, flight schedules, quarantines, travel restrictions, or other uncontrollable factors I am required to spend additional nights, Columbia College Chicago will not be responsible for my hotel, transfers, meal costs or other expenses. My baggage and personal property are transported at my risk entirely. 
   4. The right is reserved by Columbia College Chicago, in its sole discretion, to cancel the Program or any aspect thereof prior to departure; and, in Columbia College Chicago’s sole discretion to cancel the Program or any aspect thereof after departure, requiring that all participants return to the United States if Columbia College Chicago determines or believes that any person is or will be in danger if the Program or any aspect thereof is continued. If the Program is changed or cancelled, the only responsibility of the Program is to refund to me any refundable deposits I have paid to the program. If changes in the Program are minor, the Program does not have to refund any amounts to me. 
4. Independent Activity.
   • I understand that if I spend any time away from the Program’s location, or participate in any activity that is not a planned part of the Program (such as a field trip) that I do so at my own risk. I hereby represent and warrant that my participation in these activities is not required by Columbia College Chicago and is wholly voluntary. I understand and hereby acknowledge that I may face additional and/or increased risk of injury or death due to civil unrest, violence, terrorism, crime, illnesses, kidnapping, or political instability by traveling away from the Program’s location. I hereby assume, knowingly and voluntarily, each of these risks and all other risks that could arise out of or occur during my travel to, from, in or around the location of the Program. 
5. Standard of Conduct.
   1. I understand and acknowledge that Columbia College Chicago’s rules and policies including, without limitation, the Student Code of Conduct apply whether I am on the home campus or abroad. I agree to abide by these policies and I understand that I may be subject to disciplinary action if I fail to do so. 
   2. I understand and acknowledge that each foreign country has its own laws and standards of acceptable conduct, including (without limitation) dress, manners, mask-wearing and other health protocols, morals, politics, drug use, and behavior. I recognize that behavior, which violates those laws or standards, could harm Columbia College Chicago’s relations with those countries and the institutions therein, as well as my own health and safety. I will become informed of, and will abide by, all such laws and standards for each country to or through which I will travel during my participation in the Program, including attending any and all Program orientation meetings and reading all materials the Program provides. I will attend to any legal problems I encounter with any foreign nationals or government of the host country or any country to or through which I travel during my participation in the Program. Columbia College Chicago is not responsible for providing any assistance under such circumstances. 
   3. I understand and acknowledge that the Program Director will be the sole judge of whether my actions hurt the Program, myself or others in the Program or seriously offend the host culture. If they do, the Program director or someone s/he appoints, such as the on-site Director, may terminate my participation in the Program. I understand and acknowledge that should my participation in the Program be terminated, I will receive no refund of any fees, I am required to leave the Program immediately, and that I am solely responsible for arranging and paying for my own transportation back to the United States. 
6. Reproduction of Records.
   • The Program may reproduce and use for educational purposes in perpetuity without compensation all photographs, videos, movies, or sound recordings taken of me during the time I participate in the Program. I agree that all such recordings belong to Columbia College Chicago. 
7. Assumption of Risk and Release of Claims.
   • Knowing the risks, dangers, and hazards described above, and in consideration of being permitted to participate in the Program, I agree, individually, and on behalf of my heirs, successors, assigns and personal representatives, to assume all the risks, dangers, hazards, and responsibilities surrounding my participation in the Program. To the maximum extent permitted by law, I, individually, and on behalf of my heirs, successors, assigns and personal representatives, hereby release and forever discharge Columbia College Chicago and its employees, agents, officers, trustees and representatives (in their official and individual capacities) from any and all liability whatsoever and for any and all damages, losses or injuries (including death) I sustain to my person or property or both, including but not limited to any claims, demands, actions, causes of action, judgments, damages, expenses and costs, including attorneys’ fees, which arise out of, result from, occur during or are connected in any manner with my participation in the Program, any related or independent travel, and/or any activities or field trips, irrespective of whether they are sponsored, supervised or controlled by Columbia College Chicago. 
8. Indemnification and Hold Harmless.
   • I, individually, and on behalf of my heirs, successors, assigns and personal representatives, hereby agree to indemnify, defend and hold harmless Columbia College Chicago and its employees, agents, officers, trustees and representatives (in their official and individual capacities) from any and all liability, loss, damage or expense, including attorneys’ fees, that may result from my negligent or intentional act or omission, which arise out of, occur during, or are in any way connected with my participation in the Program, any related or independent travel, any activities or field trips, irrespective of whether they are sponsored, supervised or controlled by Columbia College Chicago. I agree that this Waiver, Release and Indemnification is to be construed and governed under the laws of the State of Illinois, U.S.A. without regard to that state’s conflict of law principles; and that if any portion hereof is held invalid, the balance hereof shall, notwithstanding, continue in full legal force and effect. In signing this document I hereby acknowledge that I have read this entire document, that I understand its terms, that by signing it I am giving up substantial legal rights I might otherwise have, and that I have signed it knowingly and voluntarily.