STUDENT TRAVEL PROGRAMS

Essential Eligibility Requirements

ESSENTIAL ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Ensuring the safety and well-being of our students and program leaders while providing them with an effective education is a top priority for us. The essential eligibility criteria have been designed to assist individuals in determining their suitability for the program. These criteria are fundamental to the program’s success and will be used to assess applications. Therefore, potential participants, parents, and educational advisors should examine the criteria carefully to decide if the program is a good fit for them or their students.

GEC reserves the right to deny admission to a student who does not meet the established criteria. If a student is unable to adhere to these criteria after being accepted into the program, GEC reserves the right to dismiss them from the program.

Suitability

GEC programs are unsuitable if you;

  • are court-mandated or adjudicated
  • require therapy for mental health conditions during the program
  • have physical disabilities or injuries that hinder your participation in program activities.

Age

  • Students must be aged 18-22 years for gap programs and 14-17 for Summer Middle School and High School programs. Anyone outside this age range should contact GEC to discuss their options.
  • We may accept 17-year-olds on our gap semesters who’ve graduated high school if we are satisfied they possess the requisite maturity.

General requirements

  1. You must have a high level of English language fluency
  2. You must read and agree to the program’s terms and conditions. You must comply with all program policies related to health, safety, and security, and are responsible for your own behavior.
  3. You must choose to participate voluntarily and should not be legally mandated or sent by others.
  4. You must be able to function independently and not require excessive attention from the Proıgram Instructors.
  5. You must follow instructions and execute appropriate techniques to manage risks and avoid hazards. You must act responsibly and minimize risks, even when not directly supervised.
  6. You must contribute to creating a safe learning environment and avoid any inappropriate behavior towards others.
  7. You must have a positive attitude, a willingness to learn, and a commitment to being an active participant in the program. You must participate in all program activities unless you are injured or ill.
  8. You must take responsibility for your own health and well-being, including hydration, nutrition, allergy management, environmental protection, and mobility. You must manage your prescription medications independently, bring an adequate supply for the duration of the program, and not share or sell them to others
  9. You must be able to function effectively in an environment where you may not speak the language or have cultural competence. You may also need to tolerate significant levels of ambivalence and ambiguity that arise when encountering a different culture. You must respect cultural traditions and customs, including dress codes and appropriate behavior as instructed by the Program Instructors.
  10. You must be able to function effectively in conditions that may be different from what you’re used to, including diet, accommodations, sanitation, and communication. You must be able to respect and function effectively in an environment with predominating cultural constructs that differ from your own in regard to communication, time, personal space, gender roles, sexual identity, religion, individualism, and politics.
  11. You must be able to tolerate and function effectively in an environment that may potentially include warmer or colder temperatures, dust, tropical sun, air pollution, and insects. You are responsible for your own belongings and for navigating and traveling independently to and from the program destination, as well as within the program country, primarily utilizing public transportation.
  12. You must be willing to relinquish personal mobile phones, Wi-Fi devices, and regular contact with individuals outside the program for the duration of three months.
  13. You must be comfortable sharing living and sleeping spaces with other students of different sexes, genders, and/or sexual orientations.
  14. You must be physically and mentally capable of completing the program’s activities. You must possess the necessary strength, agility, and physical endurance to navigate through rough terrain in both wilderness and urban environments, maintaining a moderate pace. In addition, you must be able to carry your own gear on your back for up to a mile at any given time.
  15. You must be willing and able to discuss and manage any social or emotional issues that may arise during the program with your Program Instructors