Cancellation
Cancellation of Bookings before arrival: For cancellations received at least 14 days prior to the course commencement date, fees will be refunded less the non-refundable deposit of €150. For cancellations received within 7-13 days of course commencement 50% of the course fees will be refunded. For cancellations of less than 7 days no refund is given.

Cancellation After Arrival: Once a student has commenced their course at the Institute they are obliged to complete their full course of study. The full course of study is defined as the initial enrolment period. No refund will be given for course fees if a student withdraws from the course before the completion of the full course of study.

If a student wishes to change the course they are attending it may be possible to change to an alternative course or programme of the same value, depending on availability. Students cannot change from group tuition to individual tuition. No refunds can be given for course changes including changes to a less intensive course.

Students who have obtained an extension to their visa as a result of a course extension cannot cancel that extension and will not be entitled to any refund.

Postponement of Courses
If you cannot attend your course you may postpone it. All postponements must be made in writing at least seven days prior to the course start date. You have three months in which to inform the Emerald Cultural Institute of your new dates and pay the re-arrangement fee of €65. The Emerald Cultural Institute will hold all fees already received for the three-month period. A course may only be re-arranged once.

Holidays for long-term students
Students are entitled to take 2 weeks’ holiday during a 25-week course, 3 weeks’ holiday during a 36-week course and 4 weeks’ holiday during a 48-week course. Holidays cannot be taken in the middle of the week. An administration fee will be charged for each change of holiday dates. Full homestay fees will be charged if the student wants to keep their room in the family. There is a fee of €85 per week to store luggage in the host family.

Public Holidays
In the case of public holidays, which occur on a Monday, students may begin their course on the Tuesday of that week. Public holidays are non-refundable. Our General Courses are available year-round (including the summer months). Classes are held Monday – Friday.

The Institute will be closed for the following public holidays in 2013:
January 1st, March 18th, April 1st, May 6th, June 3rd, August 5th, October 28th and from December 21st 2013 until January 5th 2014.

Beginners
Complete beginners can only start their course on the following dates in 2013:
January 7th, March 4th, May 7th, June 4th, July 1st, August 6th, September 2nd, November 4th.
Please note that students who test at complete beginners’ level outside the above dates will not be permitted to join a group course but can book private tuition at an additional cost.

Accommodation
Prices for accommodation are quoted per week, 7 nights. Refunds will not be given for early departure. Extra nights in host family and residence are possible, subject to availability and an additional charge. Accommodation details will only be sent once all fees have been paid in full. Students wishing to extend their accommodation should check availability well in advance of completion of their initial stay. Students who wish to extend their accommodation but require a change of host family must pay a deposit of €60. This deposit is non-refundable but will be deducted from the first week’s accommodation fee.

A deposit for residential accommodation is charged and is payable on the first day. This deposit will be refunded provided that no damage has been caused. Any damage caused by a student to homestay or residential property will be charged to the student or students responsible and the school reserves the right to recover the cost for exceptional cleaning.

Airport Transfers
Transfer details should be sent to us at least seven days prior to the arrival of the student. We ask for the flight number and arrival time. Students under 18 must be accompanied to and from the airport on arrival and departure. Missed transfers are non-refundable.

Discipline
If students’ behaviour or conduct is unsatisfactory, they will be subject to the school’s disciplinary procedures. A serious breach of conduct may result in expulsion. In the even of expulsion, fees are not refunded. Additional charges for flights and other costs will not be covered by the school and are the responsibility of the student or, in the case of underage students, their parents / guardian.

Insurance
Students should arrange appropriate medical, travel and personal insurance.
Students travelling from EU countries should bring their European Health Insurance Card with them. This only entitles students to emergency hospital care and attendance at certain doctors. Please note that this will not cover elective procedures or dental visits. We can organise medical insurance for non-EU students at a cost of €110 per year. Students are not insured by the school or by the family against accidents, illness, theft or loss of personal effects, and the school accepts no responsibility in the event of such occurrences.

Publicity Materials
Permission is given for the use of student comments or testimonials and photographs / images of students in the official promotional material for the Emerald Cultural Institute by the student or their parents or legal guardian with acceptance of these terms and conditions.


Legal Notice
The Emerald Cultural Institute reserves the right to change the details of its services, including courses, facilities and course dates where circumstances beyond the Institute’s / company’s control necessitate such changes or where the number of enrolments is not enough to operate a course viably. The right is also reserved to decline any person at any time without liability.

The Emerald Cultural Institute gives notice that all arrangements for transport, activities or for accommodation are made by the Emerald Cultural Institute as an agent upon the express condition that they shall not be liable for any injury, damage, loss, accident, delay or irregularity which may be occasioned either by reason of any defect in any vehicle or through the acts of default of any company or persons engaged in conveying the passenger, or in carrying out the arrangements of the programmes, or otherwise in connection therewith or of any family member. No responsibility is accepted for losses or additional expenses due to delays or changes in air, sea, rail, bus or other services, sickness, weather, war, quarantine, strikes or other liability.