FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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*Please note that all purchases are non-refundable. Please try to make sure that you can attend a trip before booking it.* In the case of COVID-19, trips will only be cancelled if federal/state guidelines mandate closure. In that case, refunds, minus an administration fee of $50 will be returned to the registrant.

It is your responsibility to sell your spot to someone else 21+ of age and contact us immediately in the event you can no longer attend a booked trip. Not all is lost, however! We strongly encourage you to purchase comprehensive cancel for any reason insurance (CFAR) within 10 days of your purchase, so that you'll be able to recover your investment from your insurance provider, should you need to cancel.This website provides a variety of comprehensive cancel for any reason insurance options. (Please note Sophisticated Sojourner does not endorse any of the companies listed, they are provided merely as a guide for your personal research.) Many CFAR insurance plans include medical insurance. 

COMPREHENSIVE CANCEL FOR ANY REASON INSURANCE MAY ONLY BE AVAILABLE TO CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND CANADA. CITIZENS OF OTHER COUNTRIES MAY NOT BE ABLE TO RECOVER THE COSTS OF THEIR EXPERIENCE IF THEY HAVE TO CANCEL AFTER PURCHASING

Because we do not provide refunds, any deposit and payments made with our payment plans will NOT BE REFUNDED. As mentioned before, if you can no longer attend, please contact us as soon as possible, find a replacement (sell your spot to someone else) and let us know because we will need their names to be registered instead of yours. Also, if you do not believe that you will find a replacement on time, please purchase a travel insurance as mentioned above, just in case, so you can recover your payment from the insurance company.

Depending on the location, shared double room options may be available (both must be full program participants only). Double occupancy simply means that there will be 2 people in the room. Our double occupancy accommodations will most likely have 2 queen beds in the room if you booked double occupancy. Participants choosing this payment option must identify roommate's name on the registration site at time of registration and roommate must register at time of booking or payee is responsible for paying full single occupancy rate. ALL DOUBLE OCCUPANCY RATES ARE PER PERSON.

Depending on the trip, participants may be permitted to have up to one (1) non-program companion (age 21+) join them. Companion rates and registration are included on the website under single occupancy as an add-on option and information must be added upon time of deposit. Rates for companions include accommodation, daily breakfast, and non-social work related tours and activities (if applicable). Companions are subjected to the same terms and agreements as full program participants, and will be responsible for submitting all required documents as full participants. 

You are responsible for booking your own flight to your Sophisticated Sojourner trip destination, it is not included in the package price you pay. Although our trip prices do not include international flights to and from the start/end cities, it does include in-country ground transportation while on your experience (unless otherwise stated), accommodations, most meals, a dedicated and professional on-site travel host, all activities listed on the itinerary. Airfare isn’t included for a few reasons:

Choice: We want you to have the ultimate choice when booking your airfare. Whether you want to scour the internet to compare the lowest fare, book first-class airfare on your own, or want the convenience of using points or vouchers, the choice is yours.

Flexibility: Looking to arrive to your travel destination a couple days (or months) before your trip begins, or want to stay longer after it ends? (Note participants are subject to additional fees not otherwise noted within designated program dates.)

By not including international flights with rigid departure dates in your trip price, you have the flexibility to do it your way. We’ll inform you of the start and end times of your trip, making it easy to book flights on your own.

Sophisticated Sojourner experiences are crafted with our diverse audience in mind. However, there are few characteristics that we think all participants should be/have:

Intellectual curiosity– We will be exploring new experiences, and we want all of our participants to immerse themselves and try to learn as much as possible.

An open and flexible mindset – Sophisticated Sojourner aims to aid in participant’s ability to experience the world, enhance understanding, and inspire change. As such, itineraries are designed with this in mind; the ideal participant will embrace this challenge with open arms.

Personable– Our group experiences will put you in touch with new people; we hope that you will connect with each other and potentially form friendships.

Respectful – Being part of a travel group will expose you to people of different race, backgrounds, religion, sexual orientation and much more. Please be respectful to all and do not affect the group’s energy. 

Professionally and Ethically Responsible – All participants (social workers and non-professional companions) are subjected to the ethical expectations outlined in our profession’s Code of Ethics. Additionally, participants are subjected to abide by the outlined Terms and Conditions.

Accommodations for the duration of the trip, all activities listed on the itinerary, some meals (see itinerary for specific details), Airport pickup and drop off (if applicable), local transportation in-country (program itinerary events only), professional in-country travel host, pre-departure consultation, and continuing education workshops and activities.

Alcoholic beverages, incidental room charges in hotels, travel and medical insurance, international flights, visas, passports, inoculations, and individual non-program expenses are not included. Please see our Terms and Conditions for more details.

Travel and international medical insurance is required. For travel medical insurance, our required minimum insurance policy coverage for medical emergency evacuation and repatriation is USD $100,000 (or equivalent in other currencies). We will verify that all travelers have such insurance in place and coverage as per the requirements listed above.

Some travel insurance companies include: Insuremytrip , Travel Insurance World Nomads marketplace where you will find a variety of travel insurance options. (Please note Sophisticated Sojourner does not endorse any of the companies listed, they are provided merely as a guide for your personal research.) You have the choice to use any travel insurance provider you'd like, as long as you send us proof of insurance at least one month before the scheduled departure. Failure to provide accurate proof of insurance prior to attending our trips will result in cancellation.

Please note many comprehensive cancel for any reason insurance plans include medical insurance.

Yes! See companion rates and responsibilities information listed above. Please note, all spaces are first come first serve, if your friends do not book before we sell out, they will no longer be able to join.

When you purchase a tour using with a payment plan, a one-time deposit is due at purchase. You will then receive invoices via the same email and contact information you provided at booking. All payments must be made manually by the invoice deadlines. Failure to pay an invoice on time or within 48 hours of the deadline will result in a $50 late fee, and after 10 days your spot will be canceled automatically with no refund.

Yes, Sophisticated Sojourner experiences are open to social work professionals worldwide, just know that you are responsible for all insurance/visa/documents requirement to travel to the chosen destination.