Privacy Policy
Elective Study Abroad Privacy Policy
Last Updated: December 27, 2024
At Elective Study Abroad LLC (“Elective,” “we,” or “us”), your privacy matters. We’re committed to safeguarding your personal information and ensuring transparency in how we handle it. This policy explains what information we collect, why we collect it, and how you have control over it. We’ve designed it to prioritize your rights and provide clarity.
To protect your information, we adhere to all applicable privacy laws specific to the countries and regions where Elective operates. By using our website, services, or communicating with us through any medium, you consent to the collection, access, and use of your personal information as outlined in this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree to these terms, we respectfully ask that you refrain from engaging with our services.
Who This Policy Applies To
This policy applies when you interact with us in the following ways:
Through our Website, www.electivestudyabroad.com ("Website").
In communications, including email, text, the completion of forms, or other electronic messages.
Via apps downloaded from the Website or interactions with our advertising or applications on third-party platforms.
Offline interactions, such as at phone calls, texts, chats, and in-person interactions.
Your Choices Matter
By using our Website or enrolling in our services, you’re agreeing to this Privacy Policy and are granting us permission to access, collect, and use the information you provide to us. If you ever have questions or concerns, you can opt out of certain practices or contact us for help at info@electivestudyabroad.com.
Designed for Adults
Our services are meant for individuals 18 and older. We do not knowingly collect personal information from minors. If you’re under 18, please avoid sharing any details. If we discover information from minors, it will be deleted promptly.
What We Collect and Why
We collect information to improve your experience, fulfill orders and requests, provide personalized services, and enhance our operations. The types of information we collect include but are not limited to:
Personal details, including but not limited to name, email, phone number, address, date of birth, nationality, and passport details.
Travel-related information, including but not limited to flight details, insurance information, dietary preferences, and medical information (as required for program safety and logistics).
Credit card and payment information; details of transactions you carry out through our Website and of the fulfillment of your orders.
Records and copies of your correspondence, product feedback, and responses to surveys that we might ask you to complete for research purposes. We may also ask you for information when you enter a contest or promotion sponsored by us, and when you report a problem with our Website.
Non-personal data including but not limited to your interests, browsing habits, site activity, and search queries on our Website.
Data about your internet connection, including but not limited to IP address, browser type, and device settings.
Information shared during phone calls, in-person meetings, or event registrations.
Elective collects personal information from willing job applicants related to their application. This can include but is not limited to resume, contact details, educational background, employment history, and any other information you choose to provide. We use this information solely to evaluate your candidacy and to communicate with you during the hiring process. Your information will be handled with the same level of care and security outlined in this policy, and we will not share it with third parties without your consent, except as necessary to process your application or comply with legal requirements.
If certain personal information is not essential for delivering the services or products you have requested, you may choose not to provide those details. However, if you decline to provide required information, we may be unable to fulfill your request, which could prevent you from participating in Courses, purchasing products or services, subscribing to our mailing list, entering contests, or other related activities. Additionally, if you have made a deposit and later choose not to provide the necessary personal information required by Elective or its third-party suppliers and service providers to deliver the product or service, you may not be eligible for a refund. For any questions regarding required personal information for a specific Course, product, or service, please contact us at info@electivestudyabroad.com.
How We Collect Information
We collect your information in the following ways:
Direct Input: When you provide information via forms, emails, or verbal communication.
Automated Technologies: Cookies and tracking tools that gather browsing behavior to improve site functionality.
Third Parties: Data from business partners, such as travel providers or payment processors.
How We Use Your Information
We use the information collected to:
Deliver the services and content you request.
Ensure a safe and seamless study abroad experience.
Communicate with you about your Courses, updates, and promotions.
Improve our offerings and customer service.
Comply with legal and regulatory requirements.
Personalize communications and suggest relevant offerings based on your interests and preferences.
Sharing Your Information
We share your information only when necessary and with trusted entities to:
Register you to receive emails and update your Elective profile.
Answer your questions and provide relevant customer support.
Book Courses and manage travel arrangements associated with our programs.
Provide personalized, quality services to you leading up to, during, and following the Course(s) in which you have enrolled.
Contact you or your designated Emergency Contact in the event of an emergency.
Provide necessary information to insurers, medical staff, or other authorized entities in case of emergency.
Ensure the safety and security of our participants, programs, and services.
Maintain accurate internal records for operations, including bookings, contracts, surveys, and payments.
Comply with applicable laws, regulations, immigration requirements, and any other legal mandates within the countries where we operate.
Evaluate and improve the quality of our offerings and services.
Inform you about additional products or services offered by Elective or our trusted partners that may be of interest to you.
Ensure the secure and lawful transfer of your personal information in the event of a merger, acquisition, or other structural change, as required to maintain continuity of services and in compliance with this Privacy Policy or with one of equal or more protective terms.
Elective shares your information with third-party suppliers and service providers to facilitate the products and services you purchase through us. This includes, but is not limited to, providing your information to airlines, hotels, transportation companies, instructors and course facilitators, travel guides, insurance providers, and emergency response partners to ensure the successful delivery of your travel arrangements and safety. For example, if you book a course with us that includes an internal air transfer, your personal information will be shared with the airline to complete the booking. By utilizing our services, you consent to the necessary sharing of your information with these third parties, who are contractually obligated to use your data only for the purposes outlined and in compliance with applicable privacy laws.
Your information will not be sold without your explicit consent.
Managing Your Privacy
You may use the following tools to control your personal information:
Cookies: Adjust your browser settings to manage cookies.
Email preferences: Opt out of promotional communications by contacting us at info@electivestudyabroad.com.
Data requests: Access, correct, or delete your data by emailing info@electivestudyabroad.com
Social media sharing: If you choose to share your experiences, photos, or other information related to Elective on social media platforms (e.g., Facebook, Instagram), your privacy settings on those platforms will determine how your information is shared. We encourage you to review and adjust your settings on those platforms as needed. Please note that content and activity you share on third-party platforms are governed by their respective privacy policies, not this Privacy Policy. You are solely responsible for the information you choose to share in this manner.
How We Secure Your Data
We prioritize your security by using databases and platforms that use encryption and other industry-standard measures. While no system is foolproof, we strive to minimize risks and encourage you to maintain secure passwords and report any suspicious activity promptly. Personal information is accessible only to authorized Elective personnel who require it for their roles. We limit the collection and retention of personal information to what is necessary for its intended purposes, reducing potential exposure.
Third-Party Data and Analytics
Elective uses third-party suppliers and service providers, including Google, to collect and analyze data about website usage and user behavior, as well as to display ads across the internet. These tools help us improve your experience and the functionality of our website by tracking user interaction with the site, identifying popular content, and ensuring seamless navigation. Third-party vendors may use cookies to serve ads based on a user’s prior visits to our website. While cookies themselves do not store identifiable personal information, the data they collect may be associated with a user’s account on these platforms if they are logged in to a third-party account (such as Google). This allows for personalized advertising or tracking based on prior interactions with our website. For more information, please review the privacy policies of these third-party vendors.You may opt out of third-party cookie usage by visiting the Network Advertising Initiative opt-out page.
State-Specific Privacy Rights
Residents of certain states (like California, Colorado, Virginia, Utah, and Texas) have additional rights regarding their personal data. Depending on your state of residence, you may have additional rights regarding your data. To exercise any of these rights, or to appeal a decision regarding a data rights request, contact us at info@electivestudyabroad.com.
Global Data Practices
For users outside the United States, please be aware that your information may be transferred to, stored, or processed in the United States or other countries where our service providers operate. By using our services, you consent to these transfers and the application of U.S. privacy laws, which may differ from the privacy regulations in your country.
How to Access & Update Your Information
If you would like to access, update, or remove your personal information with Elective, please contact us at info@electivestudyabroad.com. Subject to legal restrictions, you can withdraw your consent to our use of your information at any time with reasonable notice. If you refuse or withdraw your consent for any purpose that is required by us to fulfill our product or service contract with you, we may not be able to provide the product or service you requested. You may also request a list of all your personal information that Elective has collected and retained. In certain cases, a legally prescribed fee may apply for handling your request.
Promotional Communications
Elective will only send you promotional or marketing materials if you have opted in to receive them or if you have created a profile or purchased a service through our website. You may unsubscribe from these communications at any time by clicking the “unsubscribe” button in our emails or by contacting us at info@electivestudyabroad.com.
Information Retention Policy We retain personal information for as long as reasonably required, considering the purpose for which it was collected or related purposes, and to meet legal and regulatory obligations. Personal information is deleted or destroyed after a reasonable period of time unless retention is required by law.
Updates to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. Significant changes will be communicated via the Website or direct communications. The latest update is always indicated at the top of this document.
Contact Us
Have questions or need assistance? Reach out at info@electivestudyabroad.com