Participation agreement

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TODO: Describe the AFS participation agreement, and rather than copy the text in this location (as has been done here), provide a link to a copy of the official version.

Provided below is an excerpt from the AFS Participation Agreement, currently copied in the article for Early Return:

The AFS participation agreement

All AFS participants and their natural families sign a Participation Agreement with AFS which outlines the terms and conditions that AFS, participants, and natural families agree to abide by during the participant's exchange experience. The participation agreement is the only legally binding contract that exists between AFS, participants and their natural families and therefore all decisions to early return a participant must be related to the terms for early return outlined in this document. Below are the four principle clauses contained in the participation agreement which specifically address actions, behaviors, or circumstances which can lead to the early return of a program participant:

It is understood that while on the program, participants will not drive a car or any other vehicle requiring a license according to local laws on public highways or any other public area, nor will participants initiate actions in order to acquire a license. It is understood that failure to comply is cause for termination from the program and early return to the home country.

It is understood that participants will assume the program responsibilities and requirements identified by AFS for the assigned program including orientation activities arranged by AFS prior to departure from the home country, during the stay abroad and after returning home. For school-based year and semester programs, participants agree to attend school and assume course work responsibilities in accordance with the guidelines of the hosting school. Disregard or violation of these responsibilities and requirements may be cause for termination from the program and early return to the home country.

AFS reserves the right to cancel an individual's participation and to return the individual home early if s/he violates the provisions of the Participation Agreement Terms and Conditions or develops personal behavior or pursues actions which in the sole judgment of AFS would not be in the best interest of the participant or of AFS. Examples: A participant's driving a car is cause for an early return to the home country; a participant's abuse of alcoholic beverages, or use or involvement with drugs for non-medicinal purposes are cause for an early return to the home country.

AFS reserves the right to terminate an individual's participation and to return the individual home early if s/he develops a medical or other condition that prohibits his or her continued active participation in AFS program responsibilities, or if in the opinion of medical professionals the patient should be moved home for ongoing treatment and care.