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The US Govt issues "Travel Warnings" and "Consular Information Sheets" pertinent to global issues and country by country based on information they deem important, to recommend that Americans avoid travel of possibly evacuate a specific country. Adelante keeps an eye on this daily and when and if there are any specific to our participating countries and cities ALL existing and future candidates will be advised. This is standard policy.

American citizens residing overseas should follow the standard emergency preparedness advice found on the Department's web site at: http://travel.state.gov. A summary of the principal points follows:

• Keep vital documents such as passports, birth and marriage records, medical, school, insurance and bank records in one readily accessible location. Keep copies of documents in a different secure place.
• Ensure that passports and visas are valid and that you are registered with the U.S. embassy/consulate. Immediate family members who are not U.S. citizens or resident aliens ("green card" holders) should keep U.S. visas current, and apply for visas as far in advance of travel as possible.
• Make or update a complete inventory of your household effects.
• If you reside in a region where political unrest, street demonstrations or other temporary disruptions are common, maintain an adequate supply of food, water, and necessary medications in your home. Keep your car in good working order with a full tank of gas.

ADELANTE POLICY IN CASE OF WAR

Our candidates and their safety and well-being are one of our top priorities. We cannot guarantee a risk-free environment in the best of political circumstances but we do take precautions now and always to try to insure safety of all candidates during their time with us.

For example, Adelante verifies that all housing, transportation and emergency responses are in place at all times. Our staff is trained and has a specific protocol in case of emergency that they follow in tandem with the offices in California.

While Adelante includes this as part and parcel of our program policies and procedures, we must also emphasize to students and parents that all program participants must take responsibility for their own safety, security and well-being. This is highlighted during the initial on-site orientation and throughout their stay in the host country. This means using common sense, being aware of their surroundings and not putting themselves in compromising positions. The same precautions anyone would follow in their home communities in the U.S. should be maintained when traveling abroad.

Read below for more details of the policies and procedures we have established for all Adelante programs. This information will also detail the guidelines and procedures established in the event that an act of war, terrorism or natural disaster occurs. The final section contains the refund policy in case of emergency situations.

Adelante works with native-born personnel at the majority of our international sites. Most are from the city and knowledgeable about the available facilities, customs, support services and people. Reps are available 24-7 to respond to the needs of the program participants and each staff member has a cell phone and email services. They are immediately accessible if emergencies arise.

Student housing accommodations are located in areas deemed to be safe in the opinion of our resident representatives and are as close as possible to the facilities or universities where students congregate. Wherever possible, Adelante utilizes the same lodging accommodations on a regular basis.

Medical facilities are recommended by Adelante reps based on the quality of their services, proximity to the areas in which students live and/or to the university or other facility, and their experience providing services to American students. In the event that a program participant must go to the hospital or to a doctor, the Adelante director will assist in scheduling the appointment, and assisting in any other way necessary. Additionally, the resident director will ensure that the student is aware of all procedures required to file a claim for reimbursement for medical services.

Throughout the duration of our candidates' time in our program, the Adelante staff is, above all, there to help the students. Students are provided with cell phone and often times home numbers and are instructed to call the director at any time, day or night, for assistance of any type.

Prior to departure, all candidates are given a Final Itinerary that includes, among other things, a description of their host family or housing arrangements. A contact telephone number is included in the description and may be utilized in the event of an emergency requiring that a family member in the U.S. contact the candidate abroad. If they are not able to reach them at their place of residence, they may contact the Adelante California office at any time. Adelante will then contact the pertinent director abroad.

In the Event of War, Terrorist Activity, Political Emergencies:

Given today's political climate and the impending war with Iraq, many things are uncertain. The procedures and support mechanisms outlined above provides the infrastructure required for Adelante to respond to the emergency.

• Adelante in-country staff is familiar with the local police and other local sources of authority.
• Both Adelante in-country staff and Adelante main offices maintain up-to-date contact information (addresses and telephone numbers) for each candidate abroad and has clearly outlined procedures for contacting them in case of emergencies.
• All Adelante facilities abroad, if marked at all on the outside, are identified with a sign that simply says "Adelante". There is neither a sign nor flag identifying the building as being affiliated with the United States.
• Candidates will be instructed, in the case of an emergency event to return to their lodging and await contact from Adelante.
• Students should provide to Adelante in-country staff their contact information and travel itinerary when traveling independent of the Adelante program.
• To a limited extent and based on common sense, candidates should refrain from congregating in large groups of Americans or foreigners and from spending time in restaurants and bars that are known to be frequented primarily by foreigners.

In the event that an international crisis prevents the program participants from returning to the U.S. at the conclusion of the program, Adelante would work with existing lodging arrangements to assure that candidates could remain until either the crisis is resolved or it is deemed safe to travel. Once international travel is deemed safe by the U.S. Department of State, Adelante would work with the participants to assist in arranging return to the U.S. Adelante would make every effort to cover these additional and unforeseen costs until their return home. A careful accounting of these expenses will be maintained and the participants will be invoiced for the costs at that time.

Adelante Refund Policy in the Event of War:

If the U.S. State Department issues an official "Travel Warning" for a particular city where Adelante has a program, or if the U.S. State Department recommends evacuation from that particular city, and a candidate would like to leave, Adelante will refund all unspent program fees to the candidate. If the State Department issues a "Travel Warning"prior to the program start date, Adelante will work with candidates who wish to transfer to another Adelante program. Existing Adelante program participants and accepted applicants who change or cancel programs in any other cities should refer to the standard refund policy.