Here are our terms and conditions :)

Housing Policies for All Options

• Housing. Students must conduct themselves in an orderly and respectful manner in their program housing and must adhere to any additional rules communicated to them by their housing provider. Students are expected to maintain a harmonious living environment with their peers, demonstrating respect, consideration, and appropriate behavior in all shared spaces.

• Overnight guests are strictly prohibited in all housing options for safety, security, and liability reasons.

• Any misconduct — including but not limited to disruptive behavior, real or threatened physical violence, theft, harassment, sexual harassment, academic misconduct, or any other behavior that could result in civil or criminal liability for other residents — may result in immediate termination of the student's program without refund.

• Students who are evicted from their housing will not be issued a refund and are responsible for the full cost of any replacement housing.

• Students are responsible for any damage to housing facilities that occurs as a direct result of their actions. If damage occurs, the student must replace or repair the affected item or items if requested by the housing provider, or reach a monetary agreement with the housing provider.

• Students must adhere to all housing regulations provided during check-in by their individual housing provider, including rules regarding quiet hours, shared-space etiquette, cleaning responsibilities, and the use of appliances or facilities. Subletting or allowing others to occupy a room or apartment is strictly prohibited.

• If a problem arises in the housing, it is the student's responsibility to inform Expanish Programs staff in a timely manner. Expanish Programs staff will work to ensure the issue is addressed by all relevant parties. Any changes to housing arrangements are at the discretion of Expanish Programs staff.

Specific Accommodation Rules:

• Curfew. There is no curfew in any housing option.

• Overnight guests. Overnight guests are not permitted in any housing option. Students staying in homestay accommodation must always obtain the host family's consent before bringing any daytime guests into the home.

• Quiet hours. Quiet hours follow each host country's noise regulations, which prohibit loud noise between 10:00 PM and 8:00 AM. Students are expected to keep noise to a minimum during these hours.

• Cleaning. Students are responsible for keeping their room and all shared spaces clean and tidy at all times.

• Smoking, alcohol, and drugs. Smoking, alcohol consumption, and illicit drug use are not permitted on any housing premises. Sealed, unopened containers of alcohol may be stored in the student's room.

• Damage and maintenance. Any damage or maintenance issues must be reported promptly to residence staff and/or Expanish Programs staff. Students may be invoiced for any damage they have caused.

• Lost keys. Students are responsible for covering the cost of replacing any keys that are lost, misplaced, or stolen.

This policy explains when payments are due and what applies if you withdraw from a Study Abroad program. It applies to all semester, summer, and short-term programs in Barcelona, Madrid, Málaga, Buenos Aires, and Costa Rica.

This page is provided for general reference. Your official deadlines are also confirmed by email and in your student portal, and those dates take priority if there is ever a difference.

1. Deposit

A $500 USD deposit is required to confirm your place in the program. The deposit is non-refundable once paid. Deposit deadlines by term:

If the deposit is not received by the deadline, you risk losing your place in the program.

2. Full Program Payment

Full payment of your program fees is due by the following dates:

Payment instructions are provided with your invoice. You are responsible for any bank or transfer fees related to your payment.

3. Withdrawal and Refund Policy

Because Expanish makes commitments on your behalf, such as reserving housing and course spots, well before your program begins, your financial responsibility if you withdraw depends on how far in advance you notify us in writing at studyabroad@expanish.com. Your application remains active until we receive that written notice, and the date we receive it is what determines your liability below.

• Withdrawing 60 days or more before your program start date: you are responsible for the $500 deposit only. The deposit is non-refundable once paid.

• Withdrawing 30 to 59 days before your program start date: you are responsible for the deposit plus 50% of your program cost.

• Withdrawing 1 to 29 days before your program start date, or on or after your program start date: you are responsible for the deposit plus 100% of your program cost. No refund will be issued.

Withdrawal requests are only valid once submitted in writing. Verbal notice does not change your financial responsibility.

4. Visa Delays and Denials

Visa delay

If you are unable to begin your program on the agreed start date because your visa has not yet been approved, and no official denial has been issued, notify Expanish in writing at least two weeks before your original start date. We will work with you to postpone your start date, subject to availability, for up to three months from the original date.

Official visa denial

If your student visa application is officially denied by the corresponding consulate or embassy, Expanish will refund all tuition and program fees you have paid, minus a $300 cancellation fee, once you submit the official denial document.

5. Program Cancellation by Expanish

If Expanish cancels a program before the start date, all fees paid will be refunded, with the exception of any non-refundable charges already incurred on your behalf.

If a program is cancelled or interrupted after the start date due to circumstances beyond Expanish's control (including natural disasters, war, government action, or public health emergencies), Expanish will attempt to refund any portion of your fees that has not already been used or committed. A full refund cannot be guaranteed in these cases, since many costs are paid in advance to secure your housing, courses, and other services.

6. Financial Aid

If you are relying on financial aid to cover your deposit or full payment, contact studyabroad@expanish.com and submit a Financial Aid Payment Deferment Form before the applicable deadline. Approved deferments allow more time to pay once your aid is disbursed.

7. How Refunds Are Processed

Approved refunds are processed within 30 days and paid to the original payer. A processing fee may be deducted from the refunded amount.

Questions

If you have any questions about this policy, contact us at studyabroad@expanish.com.

All Expanish Study Abroad students are expected to know and follow the Student Code of Conduct. These rules apply to individual students and student groups, and their application extends to any Expanish Program or Home University property, service, organized activity, event, or excursion. Any violation of the Student Code of Conduct will be reported to the Home University. 

• Expanish Programs Liability. Expanish Programs is not liable for any risks a student may be exposed to during their program or while studying at their chosen institution. These risks may include, but are not limited to, personal injury, property damage, illness, or accidents. By enrolling in the program, the student assumes all such risks and agrees to indemnify, release, and hold harmless Expanish Programs and its directors, employees, contractors, and affiliates from any and all liability that may arise during the course of the program. Expanish does provide an emergency contact service to assist, to the extent possible, in any situation where a student's wellbeing or physical integrity may be at risk.

• Student Conduct. Expanish Programs accepts no responsibility for students' actions. Students are expected to obey the laws of their host country and to respect local customs and cultural norms.

Expanish Programs reserves the right to expel any student — without reimbursement for program fees or other incurred costs — whose behavior violates the policies and rules of Expanish Programs, program providers, universities, tour operators, or related personnel, or results in abuse of their facilities. Violations include but are not limited to:

• Willful disregard for or damage to physical property

• Non-adherence to health and safety standards, including fire safety

• Non-adherence to housing rules

• Sexual or physical assault

• Sexual harassment or verbal abuse of any staff member, fellow student, or service provider

• Any form of bullying, harassment, assault, or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sexual orientation, disability, national origin, ethnic origin, age, veteran status, political belief, gender identity, gender expression, sex, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, socioeconomic status, or any other characteristic

• Willful disruption of classroom instruction or the learning environment

• Any act that causes others to fear for their safety

• Participation in illegal activities as defined by the laws of the host country

Any expenses incurred by Expanish Programs in connection with the termination of a student's program will be the responsibility of that student.

• Alcohol and Drugs. Expanish Programs do not provide alcoholic beverages during official program activities, except for designated educational experiences in which the tasting of alcoholic beverages is an intended learning component (e.g., cultural or culinary activities). Participation in these tastings is entirely voluntary, and students are never required or expected to consume alcohol in order to participate in the activity or achieve the associated learning outcomes. Non-alcoholic alternatives or accommodations will be provided whenever appropriate. Abuse of alcohol during program activities will not be tolerated and will result in disciplinary actions. Alcohol may only be consumed in moderation. The use, possession, or distribution of illegal drugs is strictly prohibited at all times during the program. Any involvement with drugs will be considered a serious violation of the Code of Conduct and will result in immediate disciplinary measures, which may include dismissal from the program.

• Housing, Activities, Academics, Internships, and Health & Safety The Student Code of Conduct applies across all aspects of the program. Students are expected to conduct themselves appropriately in their housing, in the classroom, during internship placements, on excursions and organized activities, and in any other context connected to their enrollment with Expanish Programs. This includes maintaining respectful relationships with host families, roommates, academic staff, internship supervisors, and fellow students at all times. 

Students are also expected to follow all health and safety practices communicated by Expanish Programs staff, housing providers, academic institutions, and activity operators. This includes, but is not limited to, adhering to emergency procedures, reporting safety hazards promptly, and taking reasonable precautions to protect their own well-being and that of others.

• Disciplinary Action. There are generally three types of disciplinary action that may be invoked by Expanish Programs as a result of a violation of the Student Code of Conduct. Expanish Programs reserves the right to invoke additional or alternative disciplinary action as the situation requires.

  • It is important to note that not all violations will follow a progressive disciplinary sequence. The action taken will always reflect the severity of the incident. Minor violations may result in a warning, while more serious violations — such as assault, harassment, illegal activity, or conduct that puts others at risk — may result in immediate program expulsion without a prior warning or probation period. Expanish Programs retains full discretion in determining the appropriate response to any given situation.

    • Warning. The student will receive a written or verbal warning that their behavior was not acceptable and constituted a violation of the Student Code of Conduct.

    • Probation. The student will be informed that their behavior was a serious violation of the Student Code of Conduct and that any further incident or violation — even if minor — could result in expulsion from the program.

    • Program Expulsion. Program expulsion is defined as removal from Expanish Programs housing, cancellation of all Expanish Programs activities, excursions, and services, and cancellation of all enrolled courses. The student's Home University will be contacted and notified that the student is no longer a participant in the program. In the case of program expulsion, the student will be held responsible for all costs incurred, and no program refund will be provided.

• Student Acknowledgement Form. When a student's Home University is notified of a violation and an official disciplinary action is invoked, the student will be required to sign an acknowledgement form confirming that they have been made aware of the disciplinary action taken and the potential for further action should another incident occur in the future, even if minor.