Terms & Conditions

Before submitting an application for one of the Cerca Trova Abroad (CTA) internship programs, please read these Terms & Conditions carefully. By submitting an application, you certify that you agree to the Terms and Conditions listed below.

Definitions

All prices listed are in US dollars.
All times referenced in these Terms and Conditions follow Eastern European Time (Bulgaria).
“CTA” denotes Cerca Trova Abroad, the educational division of Cerca Trova Ltd, headquartered in Sofia, Bulgaria.
The terms “Participant” or “Intern” refer to individuals who have applied for or are participating in one of the internships offered on this website.
“Independent host team” refers to the hosting provider responsible for facilitating the participant’s program placement and/or providing local program support, as applicable.
The “CTA website” refers to www.cercaabroad.com

Travel and Documentation

Participants are solely responsible for arranging and covering their own travel expenses to and from the program destination, including any local transportation costs. When traveling internationally, participants must obtain and carry all required documentation, such as visas and passports.

While CTA offers advice and guidance regarding travel documentation, it is not responsible for the accuracy of this advice or for providing or securing any required documents, such as visas, medical certificates, or travel permits. It is the participant’s responsibility to ensure that all travel documents are valid, up-to-date, and meet the necessary requirements for travel. CTA does not guarantee that a participant will be granted a visa, entry permission, or any other travel authorization.

Insurance

CTA does not provide the participant with insurance of any kind. Participants are required to purchase travel insurance before departing on their trip. Participants are solely responsible for evaluating and determining the type, extent and levels of any insurance coverage they need or desire for their planned travel and participation period. The travel insurance must cover the participant’s entire travel period and should provide appropriate coverage for the activities and destination involved in the program.

Program Fees

In order to participate in an internship program, the participant needs to pay the applicable program fee in full and, where applicable, pay a separate security bond, as set out on the CTA website at the time when the participant submitted their application.

The program fee is the total amount charged for participation in the selected internship program. The program fee is payable in two stages: (1) an initial program fee deposit and (2) the remaining program fee balance. The program fee deposit is part of, and not additional to, the total program fee. For example, if the total program fee is $3,350 and the program fee deposit is $350, the remaining program fee balance is $3,000.

The security bond is separate from and additional to the total program fee. The security bond is not part of the program fee and is not a payment towards the cost of the internship program.

CTA reserves the right to revise program fees at any time and any fee revisions will be made public via the CTA website. Any future program fee revisions will not apply to participants who have already submitted an application to CTA, unless the participant subsequently requests a change to their program details after the program fee revisions have taken effect.

Payment of the program fee deposit confirms a participant’s application for participation in one of CTA’s internship programs, subject to availability. A program placement is not considered confirmed until the participant has paid the full applicable program fee and CTA has verified the availability of the requested placement.

The security bond covers any potential damages, beyond normal wear and tear, or missing items that occur at the internship apartments or host sites throughout the participant’s stay. The security bond is fully refunded within 30 days of check-out, following inspection, provided that no chargeable damage, loss, or missing items are identified. If damage, loss, or missing items are identified, the participant will be notified of the findings and the applicable amount will be deducted from the security bond. Any remaining balance will then be refunded.

Please note, program fees cover a range of services and resources provided as a package. As such, CTA does not provide itemized lists of individual services included in the total program fee

The remaining balance of the program fee must be paid:

For internships abroad: Not less than sixty (60) calendar days prior to the internship start date.
Failure to pay the remaining program fee balance in full by the above deadline can result in the participant’s placement being cancelled and the program fee deposit being forfeited, subject to the applicable refund and cancellation provisions below.
A participant’s placement will not be confirmed until the program fee has been paid in full and availability has been verified by the CTA Program Manager.
The program fees are non-transferable to other persons.

Changes

In case participants are not able to start their internship on the scheduled start date, they may request a change to a different program or start date, subject to availability and the following terms:

Changes may be made free of charge provided the request is received and processed by CTA more than sixty (60) calendar days prior to the scheduled start date. No changes will be accepted less than sixty (60) days prior to the scheduled start date. For special circumstances, an exception for rescheduling may be considered at CTA’s discretion, following a formal notification by the participant to CTA via email, clearly detailing the reasons.
Any re-bookings approved under these special circumstances are subject to a $350 rescheduling fee to cover expenses already incurred by CTA on behalf of the participant, plus any additional non-refundable costs such as non-refundable accommodation bookings.
If a participant changes to a program that has a higher program fee, then the participant is required to pay the difference. No refund will be paid if the new program fee is lower than the original program’s fee.

Refunds and Credits

CTA’s program fees are designed to be fairly priced and transparent. The program fee deposit is non-refundable and is intended to cover administrative and other costs incurred by CTA in connection with processing and preparing for the participant’s program.

Requests for a refund or credit of any remaining program fee balance already paid must be made via email, clearly detailing the reasons.

Refunds and credits will be subject to the following policies:

Refunds: Amounts paid towards the program fee, excluding the non-refundable program fee deposit, may be refunded provided the request is processed by CTA more than sixty (60) calendar days prior to the scheduled start date. Any applicable cancellation costs will be deducted from the amount otherwise refundable. Where a $350 cancellation fee applies, this fee will be deducted in addition to the non-refundable program fee deposit. No refunds will be provided less than sixty (60) days before the scheduled start date.
All program fees paid, including the program fee deposit, may be held as a credit in the participant’s name for twelve (12) months from the earliest program start date the participant has ever been registered for, provided the request is processed by CTA more than sixty (60) calendar days prior to the scheduled start date. No credits will be provided less than sixty (60) days before the scheduled start date.
When a participant’s refund or credit request has been received by CTA, they will be notified via email. If no notification is received within three working days, the assumption should be made that the request has not been received and the participant is advised to contact the relevant CTA Program Manager again.
If a participant chooses to leave the program after arrival, then no refund, full or partial, either for the program fees or for any add-on services purchased, will be paid except where a refund is required by applicable law or expressly provided for elsewhere in these Terms and Conditions.
No refunds will be paid to any participant who has been provided with a participation verification letter for the purpose of fundraising, requesting a visa, or obtaining academic credit, except where a refund is required by applicable law

All of the program fees are priced in US Dollars (USD). Where a participant elects to make payment in a different currency, the conversion rate applied to payments and any eligible refunds will be based on the exchange rate charged by our payment provider at the time the payment or refund is processed. Therefore, in situations where the original payment is fully or partially refunded, the actual amount refunded may be less than the original payment amount. Refunds will not exceed the original amount paid.

Program Cancellation

Should a participant be registered on a program that is subsequently closed, withdrawn, or otherwise made unavailable by CTA prior to their scheduled start date, the participant may elect to:

Change to a different program at no additional charge for the equivalent program fee, subject to availability and the payment of any incremental fee should the new program’s fee be higher than the original program’s fee. No refund will be paid if the new fee is lower than the original fee.
Retain the full value of all program fees paid as a credit in their name for up to twelve (12) months from the earliest registered program start date.
Accept a refund, subject to the refund policies outlined above.
No compensation will be given for any other costs incurred by the participant in relation to the program, such as flights, accommodation booked independently by the participant, or other personal expenses

Internship Quality

In the case where a participant is not satisfied with the proposed internship placement or supervisor prior to their scheduled program start date, CTA will attempt to resolve the participant’s concerns, which may include, at CTA’s discretion, transferring the participant onto a different placement or program at the same or other destination, subject to availability.

If the participant is not satisfied with the quality of the internship program or the support provided to them by CTA, the local coordinator, or their supervisor after they have commenced their program, then the participant must first explain the reasons for their dissatisfaction to their supervisor and local coordinator, who will attempt to resolve the participant’s concerns and inform CTA of the complaint.

If the participant’s dissatisfaction has not been resolved within one week of the complaint being made, CTA may, at its discretion and subject to availability, transfer the participant to a different supervisor at the same organization, or if that is not possible, onto a different placement in the same destination, for the remainder of the scheduled program duration.

Faculty Led and Group Programs

The provisions in this section apply specifically to faculty-led and group programs arranged with universities or other institutional partners. Where there is a conflict between this section and a separate written agreement signed between CTA and the relevant institution, the signed agreement will prevail.

a. Program Customization and Scope
CTA works in good faith with university representatives to develop tailored itineraries for faculty-led and group programs. All specifications—academic, logistical, or otherwise—must be finalized and agreed upon in writing by both parties before the program begins. Any services not explicitly stated in the final agreement or official itinerary are not guaranteed.

b. Authority to Request Changes
Only authorized university representatives—identified in writing at the time of contracting—may request changes to the itinerary, housing, academic content, logistics, or program scope. CTA is not liable for verbal or informal modifications requested by individuals outside of this authorized list. Changes suggested or implemented without documented mutual consent may result in additional charges or service limitations.

c. Inspection and Pre-Approval
The university affirms that its designated staff or representative (e.g., faculty leader or program coordinator) has inspected and approved the proposed housing, educational facilities, and neighborhood areas—either in person or through materials provided by CTA—prior to the program start. The university agrees that any objections must be communicated in writing at least 90 days before the program begins.

d. Program Deviations or Misunderstandings
CTA shall not be held responsible for misunderstandings, dissatisfaction, or unmet expectations resulting from undocumented verbal agreements or late-stage informal revisions. It is the university’s responsibility to ensure all relevant institutional stakeholders are informed of the finalized program design, terms, and obligations.

e. Student Conduct and Sensitivities
Universities are expected to prepare their students for cultural and logistical differences in the host country. While CTA takes student feedback seriously, it shall not be held liable for subjective discomfort, cultural adjustment issues, or misinterpretation of normal urban or local conditions as unsafe—unless objective evidence of risk is presented and verified by relevant local authorities.

f. Emergency Protocol and Collaboration
In the event of concerns raised during the program (e.g., safety, housing, logistics), the university agrees to notify CTA in writing and allow a reasonable window to investigate and resolve the matter before escalating or altering the program. Both parties commit to collaborative problem-solving and transparency to support student welfare while ensuring program continuity.

Personal Risks

Participants understand and accept the risks and responsibilities relating to their choice to travel to, temporarily reside in, and participate in the activities of the program in a foreign country. Such travel and participation can involve a certain degree of risk, including risks that may be foreseen or unforeseen.

Therefore, CTA, including any and all of its employees, managers, directors, shareholders, host organizations and independent local teams, is not liable to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law for any loss or harm the participant or their associates may suffer, including but not limited to loss caused directly or indirectly by:

Personal injury;
Emotional injury;
Death;
Illness, disease or pandemic;
Damage to or loss of property;
Natural disasters;
Hostage situations; or
War or terrorism.

Nothing in these Terms and Conditions excludes or limits any liability that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited under applicable law.

Housing Safety

CTA arranges housing based on professional judgment, prior inspections, and local standards. Students acknowledge that perceptions of neighborhood safety may vary and agree that no guarantee is made regarding their individual sense of personal security. CTA is not liable for subjective feelings of discomfort or fear, provided no systemic safety hazards are present.

If a student requests relocation based on safety concerns, relocation or refund requests must be supported by documented evidence of unsafe conditions or continued incidents. Absent such verification, CTA may, at its discretion, offer alternative measures (e.g., increased security, police liaison) rather than immediate relocation or refund. Nothing in this provision limits any rights the participant may have under applicable law.

Non-discrimination

CTA strictly adheres to a non-discrimination policy and does not deny any person access to, participation in, or the benefits of any service, program, course, or facility on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, disability, pregnancy, marital or parental status, physical condition or developmental disability.

Participants will only be advised against participating in an internship program if it poses a risk to their safety as a result of local cultural attitudes or if the physical environment and/or program activities are not suitable for the participant based on the information they have provided to us.

The participant agrees to abide by this non-discrimination policy and accepts that any substantiated evidence of discrimination by the participant in any form may result in dismissal from the program with no refund, subject to applicable law and the circumstances of the case.

Indemnity

The participant agrees to indemnify and hold harmless CTA and the independent host team from any and all liability arising directly or indirectly out of, or in connection with, the participant’s travel, temporary residence in their chosen destination, and the undertaking of the program or tourism activities, to the extent permitted by applicable law.

Drug and Alcohol Use

The participant must abide by the rules put in place by the independent host team, participant placement institution, and the host organization in regards to alcohol consumption. Drug use (unless prescribed by a doctor) is strictly prohibited and will result in dismissal from the program, subject to applicable law and the circumstances of the case, with no refund.

Privacy Policy

CTA and the participant agree to the conditions laid out in the Privacy Policy.

Miscellaneous

CTA provides a service connecting participants to an independent host team. You agree that CTA is not liable for any actions or omissions of the independent host team. The participant agrees to comply with the independent host team’s code of conduct and waiver. CTA and the independent local team reserve the right to dismiss a participant from the program at any time without refund, where the participant materially breaches these Terms and Conditions or the host team’s code of conduct.

In the event of a suspected or potential outbreak of any infectious disease on the internship program, among close contacts, or in locations recently attended by the participant, the participant agrees to comply with reasonable health and safety measures communicated by CTA or the Independent Host Team, including testing where reasonably required, at the participant’s own cost where permitted by applicable law.

Should the participant refuse to undertake such testing where such testing is reasonably required for health and safety reasons, the Independent Host Team may, where reasonably necessary and permitted by applicable law, dismiss the participant from the program and remove them from their accommodation in order to protect the health and safety of other participants and the local community.

CTA reserves the right to notify the emergency contact appointed by the participant in the event that the participant is dismissed from the program and in other circumstances deemed appropriate by CTA, including where reasonably necessary to address an emergency or significant safety concern.

CTA reserves the right to use feedback and images provided or shared by participants for marketing and promotion purposes, subject to any applicable consent requirements and CTA’s Privacy Policy.

To the full extent permissible at law, all representations, terms, warranties, guarantees, or conditions whether implied by statute, common law or custom of the trade or otherwise, including, but not limited to, implied warranties and guarantees, are excluded. Notwithstanding anything else contained in any agreement, the liability of CTA to the participant shall not in aggregate exceed the amount of the program fee paid by the participant, except to the extent that such limitation is prohibited by applicable law.

This website is presented solely for the purpose of promoting CTA services and those of the independent local teams. This site is controlled and operated by CTA from its offices in Bulgaria. CTA makes no representation that materials in the site are appropriate or available for use in other locations.

Those who choose to access this site from other locations do so on their own initiative and are responsible to the extent local law is applicable.

CTA does not warrant or make any representations regarding the correctness, accuracy, reliability, or otherwise of the materials in this site or the result of their use.
CTA reserves the right to change these Terms and Conditions or the services it offers from time to time without notice, subject to applicable law. Any changes to these Terms and Conditions will not affect the terms applicable to a participant’s already submitted application unless otherwise required or permitted by law.
CTA reserves the right to refuse acceptance to any application.

The participant certifies that all information provided to CTA relating to their personal background, qualifications, experience, medical history, and current state of health is accurate and truthful, and that no information relating to the aforementioned areas is withheld. CTA and the independent host team reserve the right to remove a participant from their program, without refund or compensation, if it becomes apparent that untruthful or inaccurate information is submitted in their application form or provided through communications with CTA staff, or if relevant information is withheld, subject to applicable law and the circumstances of the case.

Force Majeure
CTA shall not be held liable for any delay, disruption, or failure in performance—whether in full or in part—of its services, website, housing, internships, or program delivery, when such failure results from events or circumstances beyond its reasonable control. These include but are not limited to:

Acts of God (e.g., earthquakes, floods, fires, natural disasters)
Acts of government or public authority (e.g., travel restrictions, curfews, public health orders)
Civil unrest, riots, or security alerts issued by local authorities
Epidemics, pandemics, or public health emergencies
Acts of terrorism or threats to public safety
Utility failures, internet outages, or transportation disruptions
Sudden changes in local conditions affecting safety, housing, or mobility
Any other event that reasonably prevents CTA from fulfilling its obligations, even if foreseeable

In such events, CTA will make reasonable efforts to mitigate impacts and offer suitable alternatives, but shall not be liable for refunds, penalties, or damages resulting from such disruptions to the extent permitted by applicable law. Where a force majeure event materially affects the participant’s program, CTA will communicate the available options to the participant as soon as reasonably practicable.

Governing Law
These Terms and Conditions and the services provided under them are governed by the laws of Bulgaria. The courts of Bulgaria shall have jurisdiction over disputes arising from or in connection with these Terms and Conditions, subject to any mandatory jurisdictional or consumer protection rights applicable under law.