Insurance
Globe Aware's program fee covers mandatory medical insurance/evacuation insurance for international programs. Should you need to cancel your participation on short notice, Globe Aware suggests you purchase trip cancellation insurance, which most travel agents can help you with. It is important that you realize that Globe Aware cannot be responsible for the terms and conditions of the travel agency with whom you make your travel arrangements. Therefore, if the airline makes any changes or cancellations for any reason whatsoever, or if the airline imposes any related penalties, Globe Aware cannot be held responsible.
Risks
Any travel comes with certain risks, and travel with Globe Aware is no different. Of course all reasonable precautions will be made to prevent any dangers. If at any time a volunteer feels that he or she is not comfortable with any given activity, he or she may freely abstain.
Travel to different countries mean that conditions will vary - sometimes quite significantly - from those in the United States. These reasons are some of the primary reasons volunteers are drawn to Globe Aware adventures, but can also be the basis for possible risks. For example, the condition of roads, infrastructure (such as phone lines, water lines, etc) and hygiene conditions, are likely to differ from, and often be considered inferior to, those found in the volunteers' home. In addition, Globe Aware cannot be held responsible for forces of God, war, public transportation, level of medical service, availability of medical treatment and medical personnel, political stability, and the like.
The volunteers should also be aware that environmental conditions may provide certain challenges to some. For example, higher altitudes in some locales may mean volunteers with difficulty breathing may find it even more difficult in new climes. For those with sensitivity to dryness, certain climates may be uncomfortable.
Health
In some countries, it is a good idea to get vaccinations prior to your trip. The Center for Disease Control will give you up to date recommendations as well: see www.cdc.gov. These suggestions will be in your orientation packet, and volunteers are solely responsible for getting and paying for these. In addition, each volunteer needs to access his or her medical needs, and overall health prior to joining in a Globe Aware adventure.
I volunteer to participate in this program with Globe Aware. I understand that Globe Aware and its volunteers assume no liability for any personal harm or illness or for loss or damage of any property that may come to me while serving as a volunteer, and I, my heirs, and my personal representatives and assigns, hereby absolve Globe Aware, its staff, and volunteers and hold them harmless from any claim or demand that I, my heirs, my personal representatives or assigns might conceivably assert for any such harm, illness, loss or damage. I intend to be legally bound by this statement.
