Chantico Spanish School at PLI
Querétaro, MX
Chantico Policies and Guidelines
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1. GENERAL POLICIES & GUIDELINES
Personal Health
If you have any health concerns such as allergies, disabilities or required medications, please make sure a Chantico representative is aware of your needs before you register. Also, once you arrive, please make sure your teachers and other staff know how to accommodate your needs.
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Recruiting Sites
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We get help with student recruitment from sites such as languageinternational.com and teachmemexico.com. If you register for our programs on one of these sites, its policies supersede the policies published on this page. In some cases, the recruiting site's policies may apply in addition to the policies on this page, simultaneously.
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Conduct
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a. Participation, Tardiness and Attendance
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Students are asked to participate in class as instructed by the teacher, to the best of their abilities. Please keep fellow students' interests in mind so that everyone learns and enjoys their time in our program.
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You are excused from class if you are unwell. Otherwise, you are asked to attend. Especially in group classes, full attendance is best for learning.
b. Discrimination and Abuse
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Chantico/PLI maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards all forms of physical and verbal bullying, abuse, discrimination and maltreatment. Any students found in violation of this rule will be sent home immediately.
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The term "abuse" applies to property as well as people. Please keep our facilities, our equipment and our city clean and in good condition. If you are staying with a local family, be mindful of their property as well.
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c. Mexican Law
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You are required to follow all local and national laws while you are in Mexico. Please use discretion when laws do not apply. We ask that you stay safe and be respectful towards the people of our communities, our staff, our teachers and your fellow students.
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d. Drugs and Alcohol
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Do not possess any illicit drugs or drug paraphernalia during your stay in Mexico. Only prescription drugs are permitted. Obtain and safely store a prescription document before possessing legal prescription drugs.
Alcohol consumption is allowed in Mexico for ages 18 and up. We strongly caution visitors who choose to drink alcoholic beverages at ages below the US legal drinking age of 21. If you choose to do so, please do it carefully and moderately. The state of being intoxicated is not a defense for violation of any of our policies or any local or national law.
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Holidays
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We may not hold classes or other events on Mexican public holidays. Our facilities will be closed in some cases. Upcoming Mexican public holidays are as follows:
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See here for details.
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Expulsion
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Chantico reserves the right to expel students from the program when a policy is violated. The characteristics which constitute a violation are solely dependent on Chantico's discernment. Chantico pledges to act in the best interests of our students. In the case that a student is expelled, Chantico will provide a reasonable timeline for vacating the school or homestay/lodging and returning home. You may not be eligible for any refunds when expelled.
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Release of Liability
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In the event that any damage to equipment or facilities occurs as a result of your willful actions, neglect or recklessness, you acknowledge and agree to be held liable for any and all costs associated with any actions of neglect or recklessness.
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Should you require medical care or treatment, you agree to be financially responsible for any costs that are incurred. You are aware that you should carry your own health insurance.
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You participate in Chantico's classes, field trips and other events at your own risk. You are aware of the risks associated with travel within Mexico and with participating in Chantico's activities. You assume all related risks, both known and unknown to you, and agree to hold Chantico and its representatives harmless for any damages that result from your involvement.
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2. CLASSES
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Registration, Cancellation, Rescheduling & Early Termination
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Please register for your classes at least 2 weeks in advance. You must pay a 20% non-refundable deposit to reserve your classes. The remaining balance can be paid at any time before your first class.
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Private classes may be rescheduled 48 hours in advance. We will postpone private classes in case of illness. Notify us of your illness as early as possible. If we suspect that a student is claiming to be ill in order to reschedule classes with short notice, we may require the student to forfeit the classes.
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Group classes may not be rescheduled. If you are in a group class and are ill, notify us as soon as possible. In some cases, we may be able to refund you for missed classes.
You may cancel classes at any time before your first class, in which case you will receive a refund for all funds paid except your 20% deposit. After your first class begins, you may cancel the remainder of your bookings and forfeit your deposit.
Special cases may be discussed with a Chantico/PLI representative. We will do our best to accommodate you. However, for the best group learning experience, we ask that students remain in our classes throughout the program, arrive on time and stay until each session ends.
Booking Additional Classes
Please book additional classes at least 1 week before your final booked class. We may not be able to secure a teacher or classroom with short notice.
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Other
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Minimum booking = 10 hours
Textbook and workbook ($70 for both) are required.
Registration fee = $80 per person (once per lifetime)
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3. STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMS
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Study abroad programs include lodging and sometimes meals, field trips or other activities or services.
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Eligibility
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You must be 18 years of age to attend a study abroad program at Chantico. You or a parent/guardian must have the means to purchase transportation for your return home at the end of the program or before it, should you need to leave early.
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Insurance
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You will be required to carry one of our preferred insurance policies. Chantico will purchase your policy for you and will distribute the details to you before your departure. The policy will include travel insurance along with personal liability insurance. There are two insurers which meet our requirements: Tokio Marine Atlas and Seven Corners Liaison.
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Homestay
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It is important that you treat your host family and their home with respect. Keep noise down to a reasonable level unless you've discussed a special event with your hosts. Clean up after yourself and abide by the household rules, if any are shared with you. You will be asked to leave the house in the event that you cannot show a reasonable standard of decency.
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If you feel threatened or mistreated by a host or a visitor, speak to a Chantico representative as soon as possible so that an appropriate response can be determined.
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Registration, Cancellation & Early Termination
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Please register for your program at least 2 weeks in advance. You must pay a 20% non-refundable deposit to reserve your classes, lodging, etc. The remaining balance can be paid at any time before the program begins. We recommend making the payment before you depart your home. You may cancel your registration at any time before the program begins as well, in which case you will receive a refund for all funds paid except your 20% deposit.
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If you must leave the program before your scheduled end date, you will forfeit 2 week's worth of funds. If your remaining duration is 2 week or less, you will not be eligible for a refund. We apologize for any inconvenience caused by this policy.
For example, you purchase a 2-month (8-week) package with Chantico for $2,000. After being with us for 2 weeks, you decide you have to leave. We will keep $500 [(2 weeks / 8 weeks) x 2,000] and refund you $1,000 for 4 weeks, since 6 weeks remain and 2 of them are forfeited, leaving 4 weeks [(4 weeks / 8 weeks) * $2,000 = $1,000].
Special cases may be discussed with a Chantico/PLI representative. We will do our best to accommodate you.
Extending Your Stay
You may extend your program at any time. Please notify us at least 1 week before the new session's start date, as a courtesy. No additional deposits or fees are required for extensions.
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We are here for you. Please contact us if you have any questions!