Puentes Participant Code of Conduct
We believe that some simple rules and guidelines can go a long way to set a great tone for your Puentes experience. All Puentes participants are expected to know and follow the Participant Code of Conduct. These rules apply to individual participants and participant groups, and their application extends to any Puentes or university owned or controlled property, or organized activity, event, or excursion.
Participant Conduct: Puentes accepts no responsibilities for participants’ actions. Participants are expected to obey the laws and to adapt to the customs of their host country. Puentes reserves the right to expel (without reimbursement for program and/or incurred costs) any participant whose behavior violates the policies and rules of the program providers, universities, tour operators, housing providers, etc. The abuse of alcohol and any possession and/or use of illegal drugs will result in immediate termination of the program without refund. Any expenses incurred by Puentes in the termination of a participant’s program will be the responsibility of the participant. The participant’s program will be terminated without refund if the Puentes Team, activity providers, or any other service providers find participants abusing their facilities, including but not limited to the following: willful disregard and damage to physical property; non-adherence to normal 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 participant, or service provider related to Puentes; willful disruption of the working environment; any act that causes others to fear for their safety; or participating in illegal activities as defined by the laws of the host country. Program expulsion will also occur if participants stop completing their internship work and/or attending required activities without prior approval from the Puentes staff or if they violate the policies of the internship site.
Housing Rules: Participants who are in Puentes-coordinated housing will conduct themselves in an orderly manner in the household and will respect all the members of the host family, residence, apartment, or hotel. Any misconduct such as disruptive behavior, real or threatened physical violence, theft, harassment, sexual harassment, academic misconduct, or any other misconduct that could result in civil or criminal liability for the housing host or other residents will result in immediate termination of the program without refund. Participants are responsible for any damage to the housing or personal belongings that occur as a direct result of the participant’s actions. If damages occurs, the participant must replace or repair the affected item(s) or reach a monetary agreement with the housing host or manager. Participants are not permitted to abuse alcohol or consume illegal drugs inside the housing. Participants are not permitted to smoke in the housing. Participants must live in their official Puentes-assigned housing for the duration of the program. Participants are not allowed to have overnight guests. Participants may not entertain friends or family members at the housing without permission from the host and/or their house mates. If any of these rules are broken, the Puentes Team will involve the participant's university or sponsor, which may lead to consequences such as probation or immediate termination of the program without refund. If a problem arises with a housing host, it is the participant’s responsibility to inform the Puentes Team. If the situation cannot be resolved, the Puentes Team will make other arrangements for the participant. Any changes to housing are up to the discretion of the Puentes Team.
Travel Notification: Participants in multi-month programs must complete the Puentes Travel Form in advance of any planned travel outside of the program city. Participants may not travel to countries outside of Argentina or Uruguay during their Puentes program without receiving prior written approval from Puentes CEO Ann Noguer.
Program Expulsion: Program expulsion is defined as removal from Puentes-provided housing, cancellation of the internship, study abroad, or immersive program, and cancellation of all activities and excursions. In the case of program expulsion, the participant will be held responsible for all incurred costs, and no program refund will be provided. In all exceptional cases for Puentes participants, final discretion will be left to the Puentes Team to determine whether program expulsion should occur.
Liability: Puentes is not liable for any risks the participant may be exposed to during his/her program, program activities, and/or while working at the chosen institution. These risks may include, but are not limited to: personal injury, property damage, sickness, or accidents. By signing, the participant has assumed all risks and has agreed to indemnify and release Puentes and its employees from any and all liability that may arise during Puentes programs.
Photo Waiver: The participant grants to Puentes the right to take photographs and videos of the participant in connection with the Puentes programming activities. The participant authorizes Puentes to copyright, use, and publish photographs and video in print and/or electronically for any lawful purpose, including such purposes as publicity, illustration, advertising, and web content.
Nondisclosure Agreement: The intern will not publicize, copy, distribute, or use in any form any organization data or information without the consent of the internship organization or company.