PARTICIPANT AGREEMENT IN THE PROGRAM
Introduction:
Work & Sail is an intercultural work program. Our program aims to provide young people the opportunity to share experiences, make new friends, and meet people from all over the world.
The program is carried out through our partners in the United States and the designated providers of the J1 GEC (Global Exchange and Collaboration) program. During the work period, your employer will be the school that offered you a job offer or contract. Work & Sail never acts as an employer, as our role is to facilitate the support, documentation, and information necessary for your sponsorship. Neither Work & Sail nor GEC own the schools that hire.
Work & Sail and its partner in the United States are dedicated to providing consulting and human resources recruitment services for summer schools in the United States. Once you have obtained the employment contract and we have provided you with the necessary documentation for the J-1 visa, any issue that arises beyond our control will be your responsibility. The visa application at the embassy and its costs will be your responsibility. In the rare case that the U.S. embassy rejects your application, or in situations of war, pandemic, state of alarm, or rejection by you or the school, there will be no obligation for Work & Sail or its U.S. partner to provide a refund.
The purpose of the terms and conditions presented below is to clearly define the rights and responsibilities of both the participant and the company, Work & Sail.
General Program Terms and Conditions:
- I acknowledge that this is a non-immigrant cultural exchange program that promotes global understanding through educational and cultural exchanges. I am expected to return to my home country upon completion of my program to share my exchange experiences.
- I understand that I must apply for and obtain a J1 visa. I am responsible for applying and complying with all visa and immigration requirements when applying for a J1 visa.
- I understand that Work & Sail reserves the right to reject an applicant for any reason. Work & Sail encourages participants to apply as early as possible to secure a spot in the program. In cases where Work & Sail receives more applications than the program can accommodate, Work & Sail will create a waitlist based on the date the complete application was received in Nashville, Tennessee. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Work & Sail does not discriminate based on race, sex, sexual orientation, religion, age, marital status, national or ethnic origin, or disability.
- I acknowledge that I must read all written materials sent to me by Work & Sail or the employer.
- I acknowledge that if I break the law in the United States, I will be subject to immediate termination.
- At the time of application, Work & Sail provided me with a Participant Handbook containing program rules and important information about living and working in the United States. I understand that participants who do not follow the rules and regulations of the Work & Sail Sailing Monitor Program are subject to visa sponsorship termination without prior notice.
- I acknowledge that participants must not borrow money from their host employer or others. Participants who cannot cover personal expenses or borrow significantly from hosts or others during the program are subject to possible dismissal from the program, repatriation, and termination of sponsorship.
- I acknowledge that participants who are dismissed from the Work & Sail program early must bear the costs of early dismissal (transportation, return flight, etc.).
- I understand that Work & Sail sends important messages to the email address I provided in my application.
- I understand that I must complete the full term of the employment contract with the employer.
- I agree that I am traveling at my own risk and release Work & Sail and its employees/agents from any liability related to my health or safety.
- I understand that I must notify Work & Sail of any change in residence address or contact information, including phone number or email address, within 10 days of the change. I understand that I will be in violation of the program if I do not do so in time.
- I understand that any photos or testimonials provided to Work & Sail during my participation in the program may be used for promotional purposes by Work & Sail, unless I provide written notification declining my permission.
- I understand that I am responsible for bringing at least $1,000 to help with expenses such as temporary housing, food, transportation, etc., especially during my first days in the United States.
- I understand that I am only sponsored to work at a Work & Sail-approved host sailing school listed on my DS-2019. If I am found to be involved in unauthorized employment in the U.S. of any kind, I am subject to program termination, which will require immediate departure from the U.S. and negatively impact future visa applications.
- I understand that my host employer may terminate my job opportunity early if I fail to comply with their policies and procedures.
- I agree to review all Work & Sail program interruption and cancellation policies before agreeing to participate in any Work & Sail program. Additionally, I agree to waive any and all legal claims against Work & Sail and/or its representatives that may arise as a result of unforeseen circumstances beyond Work & Sail’s reasonable right or ability to control and/or prevent, including but not limited to claims for repatriation costs, loss of income, loss of academic credit, unexpected housing costs, program fee refunds, ground transportation costs, etc.
Payments:
When are they made?
- Payment 1: €545
To reserve your spot, make a payment of €545 through our platform. We will connect you with our U.S. partner company to arrange the first video call of the process. The interview will be via Zoom, and before the interview, we will send you an email to help you prepare, as well as to inform you of all the documents you will need to provide and the steps to follow afterward. After the interview, you will receive a notification by email of the result within 24 hours. - Payment 2: €1,300
Make the payment of €1,300 through our platform, and we will send you the DS-2019 document. With this document, you will need to complete the Non-Immigrant Visa Application (DS-160). - TOTAL: €1,845
Additional Costs
There are additional costs, from third parties, that the participant must pay, unrelated to Work & Sail:
- J1 Visa application fee at the U.S. Embassy (see the Visa section for more details).
- Travel expenses: transportation costs to get to the United States. Work & Sail is not responsible for these expenses.
- Round-trip plane tickets to and from the United States.
- Transportation from the arrival airport to your final destination.
By accepting the terms and conditions of the Work & Sail program and completing the program payment, you will receive:
- Customer support, guidance, and assistance throughout the registration and application process until your departure for the United States.
- Provision of the necessary documentation, including DS-2019 and SEVIS receipt (documents required to apply for the J1 Visa at the U.S. Embassy), provided by our visa sponsor (GEC). If you have a U.S. passport or a “green card,” these documents are not required.
- Our full commitment to help you secure a position at a U.S. school that fits your profile, subject to the following terms and conditions and the guidance provided by Work & Sail, as well as your compliance with the contract and full acceptance of the terms of the U.S. Department of State for J1 visa holders.
- The cost of printing and processing the U.S. J1 Visa in your passport ($160) is a payment you must make directly to the U.S. Embassy. This payment grants you the right to obtain a J1 Visa, subject to approval by the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Embassy. If you have a U.S. passport or a “green card,” you will not need to obtain the J1 Visa.
- Assistance 24/7 once you start at your school in the United States with our partner and sponsor in the U.S.
- Help with travel planning, your arrival at the airport, and your connection to the school.
What does Work & Sail require from participants?
- Completing the application by the participant within a reasonable timeframe to ensure Work & Sail has the time necessary to ensure its review, processing, hiring period, and Visa.
- Acceptance of the program’s terms and conditions.
- Obtaining and providing the necessary documents for sponsorship and applying for the J1 Visa.
- Submission of all required documents within 14 days of your hiring date or by May 1st (whichever is sooner).
This includes, but is not limited to: uploading your passport photo, school contract, and criminal background check to the application. Failure to upload these documents in a timely manner may result in an additional payment for documentation due to changes in the process timeline.
Additionally, it is important that you notify Work & Sail as soon as possible about any changes in your contact information. If the information provided results in an inability to communicate between Work & Sail and the participant, Work & Sail reserves the right to cancel the application without the possibility of a refund.
Medical Report
All participants must inform Work & Sail of any pre-existing medical conditions when completing their application. If Work & Sail or the Visa sponsor (GEC) identifies any medical condition that could pose a risk to the participant’s safety during the program, Work & Sail reserves the right to deny participation, with a full refund of any payments made to Work & Sail.
It is important to note that pre-existing medical conditions will not be covered by the insurance policy provided by Work & Sail. Our U.S. sponsor recommends purchasing additional insurance to cover these pre-existing conditions. The insurance policy can be used for any other situation not related to pre-existing medical conditions.
If the participant does not inform Work & Sail about pre-existing medical conditions at the time of enrollment and these are discovered later, Work & Sail reserves the right to deny the participant’s participation in the program, resulting in the forfeiture of any refund entitlement.
It is essential to note that Work & Sail will not be responsible for any medical or emergency situations that may arise due to pre-existing medical conditions. Any expenses related to these situations will be the participant’s responsibility.
J-1 Visa Process
All participants must apply for the J-1 Camp Counselor visa in order to participate in the Work & Sail program and work at a school in the United States. By accepting these terms and conditions, the participant agrees to follow the rules and regulations of the J-1 Visa process established by the U.S. Department of State.
As part of the J-1 Visa application process, the participant must attend an interview in person at the U.S. Embassy in their country of legal residence. If the participant is outside their country, they may attempt to schedule the appointment and interview in that country. The participant is responsible for knowing the location, procedure, and requirements for obtaining the J-1 Visa in the corresponding country.
Once the participant is ready to complete the J-1 Visa application and schedule the interview at the Embassy, Work & Sail will provide detailed guidance throughout the process until its successful completion.
It is important to note that the U.S. Department of State requires all participants applying for a J-1 Visa to attend the appointment at the Embassy of their country of residence. Opting for an appointment in a different country may result in visa denial or complications in the process. Work & Sail will not assume responsibility if the participant chooses to apply for the Visa in a country that does not correspond to their passport.
The Embassy appointment in the United States will be subject to the processing and issuance of the DS2019 document (provided by Work & Sail). This document must be taken to the Embassy as proof of Visa sponsorship. Before the DS2019 document is processed and delivered by Work & Sail, the participant must:
- Upload a copy of the Criminal Background Check document to their Work & Sail application.
- Upload a copy of their school contract to their Work & Sail application.
- Have completed all required program payments or the necessary single payment.
- Upload a photo of their passport (with at least 12 months of validity from the start of the trip).
Ensure that the application is 100% complete. If you need to make changes once you have completed and submitted the application, please contact Work & Sail as soon as possible.
The DS2019 document will be sent electronically to the participant’s email address and will contain the information previously provided in their application. If there is any change to this information, the participant must contact Work & Sail as soon as possible. If an error is detected in the documentation (DS2019) due to a mistake in the participant’s application, a fee of €100 will be required for reprinting the DS2019 document. Therefore, it is essential that the participant carefully reviews all of their information in both the application and the receipt of their documents, ensuring it matches their passport information.
The SEVIS fee payment of $35 to the U.S. Department of State is included as part of the payments made by the participant to Work & Sail and is mandatory before scheduling an Embassy appointment. This means the participant does not need to make an additional payment for this fee, as it is included in their payments. The participant must download the SEVIS payment confirmation before attending the Embassy.
The participant must not schedule a U.S. Embassy appointment before receiving the DS2019 document and corresponding instructions from Work & Sail. If they do so, the participant will be responsible for any additional payments that may result from this action.
The participant is responsible for booking and paying for their travel to the U.S. Embassy, as well as paying the visa fee, which is made directly to the U.S. Embassy (this payment is made only to the U.S. Embassy and never to Work & Sail). Work & Sail has no connection or responsibility with respect to this payment.
At the time of the U.S. Embassy appointment, the participant must bring their passport. The Embassy will retain the participant’s passport for a minimum period of 5-7 days before sending it to the address provided by the participant. Work & Sail recommends not making travel plans until the visa has been approved.
If the U.S. Embassy requires the passport to be resent for corrections, Work & Sail will not be responsible for ensuring the passport reaches the participant before their travel plans. The participant is responsible for tracking shipments, receipts, and any other matters related to their passport. If any situation arises regarding the participant’s relationship with the Embassy, Work & Sail will not assume any responsibility. The participant must contact the Embassy directly to address these issues.
In the event that the J-1 Visa is denied, the participant must contact Work & Sail immediately. The participant will have the option to request a new Embassy appointment if they wish. Work & Sail is not responsible for decisions made by the U.S. Embassy, the U.S. Department of State, or the U.S. Government.
If the participant holds a U.S. passport or a “green card,” the J1 Visa process does not apply to them.
Refund and Cancellation
When the participant registers in the Work & Sail program and completes the corresponding payment, they are paying for Work & Sail’s services. Work & Sail’s services include advising, providing information, and necessary documentation from the start of the process until their employment at a school. Additionally, Work & Sail will support the participant in managing the J-1 Visa appointment.
We have identified 4 stages during the process in which cancellations can be made:
| Cancellation Stage | Cancellation Fees |
|---|---|
| Before booking your spot with us | No cancellation charge |
| If we receive your cancellation after payment of the reservation and after receiving a job offer from the school, but before receiving the DS-2019 | €200 |
| If we receive the cancellation notification after the application is approved and the DS-2019 form is printed | €650 |
| J-1 Visa denial | €220 |
Data Protection
By accepting these terms and conditions, the participant agrees to share application data with third parties, as well as relevant process information with the Adventure group. This will include U.S. schools evaluating the application, the visa sponsor, insurance companies, and the U.S. Department of State.
The participant will be required to provide private information during the process, including medical data and criminal background checks. In order to find an employer for the participant, Work & Sail may share this information honestly and in detail. If the participant withholds information or provides false data to Work & Sail, the company reserves the right to exclude the participant from the program without entitlement to any refund.
School Contract
The employing school will be responsible for setting payment dates as agreed in the contract. By signing the contract with the school, the participant accepts the agreed payment dates, methods, and working conditions. Any modification to the work agreement will require signing a new contract. The contract dates are the responsibility of the participant and the hiring school, and Work & Sail is not responsible for the dates agreed between both parties.
The participant’s visa dates must fully align with the contract dates. The participant cannot extend these dates for work with any other school or company besides their contracted school.
If the participant decides to leave the school before the dates indicated in the contract, the participant may be penalized with the cancellation fee detailed in the cancellation policy of these terms and conditions.
Schools have a set of rules that the participant must agree to. These rules will be communicated before signing the contract and during the orientation or training phase at the school. The rules pertain to the safety and well-being of children and other individuals at the school. These may include but are not limited to: no smoking, no drinking, no inappropriate relationships or interactions with minors at the school. The participant’s refusal to comply with these rules may result in immediate dismissal by the school.
Any costs or payments incurred by the participant due to dismissal by the school will be the participant’s responsibility.
Working at a school is not synonymous with “being on vacation,” and Work & Sail always strives to make this as clear as possible. Although the participant will have a great time and enjoy an incredible environment, they should be aware that they are going to the school to work. The participant will share space with children, with monitors, or with both. Schools do not have a set 9 am to 5 pm work schedule, and you may be required to work at any time. Work hours, rest times, and free time must be confirmed by the participant with the school. The participant should not forget that, once their contract is completed, their visa will allow them to remain in the country for 30 days.
Work & Sail is not responsible for the operation of each individual school, as they are independent entities. Work & Sail’s role is to connect and communicate between the participant and the school, as well as to provide documentation, information, and support during the participant’s sponsorship process. As an adult, the participant voluntarily joins the program and must fulfill their role to the best of their abilities. Work & Sail is not responsible for the actions or decisions made by the school based on the participant’s behavior at work.
If the participant needs to end their contract before the scheduled date due to emergency circumstances, they must contact Work & Sail immediately. Work & Sail will work to support the participant as much as possible to ensure that the penalty for not completing the contract is waived. It should be noted that Work & Sail will not be able to refund any money for this reason, as all information, documentation, sponsorship, and support have already been provided throughout and up to the participant’s employment and arrival at the school.
Work & Sail’s Policy
Work & Sail reserves the right to share information with the participant’s family, unless it is an emergency case, such as an accident, illness, or arrest. Work & Sail reminds families that the program is for adults, and they are responsible for their own process, employment, and work at the school. The participant is solely responsible for sharing information with their family and friends about their program.
The participant agrees with Work & Sail to complete their application honestly and in detail. All information provided must be accurate to ensure the best possible assignment in line with the participant’s profile. If at any time Work & Sail or the visa sponsor suspects that the participant is not being honest, Work & Sail may cancel their application and take legal action. In case of cancellation for this reason, no refund will be issued.
Any behavior that Work & Sail considers inappropriate or harmful (including on social networks, channels, or any other public information platform) will result in immediate cancellation of the program. In such a case, Work & Sail will not refund any payments made up to that point.
As part of the agreed terms and conditions, Work & Sail will treat the participant with the utmost respect and provide support throughout the application process. In turn, Work & Sail expects the same treatment from the participant. Any behavior that violates this agreement will result in the participant’s expulsion from the program without the right to a refund.
By making the payment(s) to Work & Sail and accepting the terms and conditions, the participant is subject to the terms established in this document.
I understand and accept the program rules mentioned above for my Work & Sail application.
Full Name: ________________________________________
Date: _____________________________________________
Signature: _________________________________________
