1. Introduction

This document outlines the general terms and conditions governing the use of services provided by Lodge Me At (Pty) Ltd (« Lodge Me At, » « we, » « our, » or « us »). These terms constitute a legally binding agreement between Lodge Me At and you, the client (student or intern). By engaging any of our services or making a payment, you expressly agree to be bound by the full scope of this agreement, without modification or reservation. Lodge Me At specialises in facilitating international internship placements and arranging suitable accommodation for interns abroad. Our services are offered in the form of specific packs, which may include internship placement, accommodation arrangements, or a combination thereof specifically through our Ultimate Start and Comfort Plus packs.

Additionally, Lodge Me At offers access to English language classes delivered by qualified teachers to help support students in their academic and professional preparation. This offering is an ancillary service and may be included in certain packs or accessed separately, depending on your selected service agreement.

Beyond the core offerings of internship placement and accommodation, Lodge Me At also provides a range of supplementary services designed to enrich your experience and ensure a smooth, enjoyable, and successful stay abroad.

These additional services include the provision of eSIM cards to ensure uninterrupted mobile connectivity, a reliable airport shuttle service to and from your designated arrival and departure terminals, and organized local transportation options. We also offer professionally guided private bus tours and curated city experiences to help students explore and enjoy the cultural and social landscape of South Africa. These tours are crafted to provide memorable, safe, and informative excursions, giving interns the opportunity to make the most of their stay.

Our aim is to deliver a comprehensive support system that not only meets your academic or internship needs but also enhances the quality and comfort of your overall experience. We strive to ensure that your time in South Africa is not only professionally rewarding but also personally meaningful and memorable. Lodge Me At is committed to making your journey exceptional from start to finish, offering a structured, supportive, and enjoyable transition into international professional development.

2. Acceptance of Terms and Conditions

By confirming your interest, submitting required documentation, and making any payment—whether partial or full—you agree that you have read, understood, and fully accept these Terms and Conditions. This agreement becomes effective immediately upon receipt of your initial payment and remains in force for the entire duration of the services rendered, including any extensions or amendments made thereafter. You affirm that you are legally competent to enter into this agreement and that all information provided is truthful, accurate, and complete to the best of your knowledge. Any misrepresentation may result in termination of your engagement without refund.

3. Structure and Scope of Services

Lodge Me At provides tailored services through internship and accommodation packs. These services include identifying suitable host companies for internships, securing appropriate furnished accommodation, and managing the necessary administrative procedures to ensure a smooth placement. The specific services covered under each pack are detailed in your order confirmation, which forms part of this agreement.

The internship process follows a strict and clearly defined sequence. In the first stage, students may hold a maximum of two pending internship offers at any given time. This is to ensure fairness, transparency, and efficiency across all placements. Should a third internship opportunity arise, it may only be pursued once at least one of the two existing offers is formally declined. Holding more than two internship opportunities simultaneously is strictly prohibited and may lead to a suspension of service.

Once an internship offer is extended and both the student and host company indicate their willingness to proceed, Lodge Me At will issue a formal request for a signed contract from the student.

This request must be fulfilled within a period of five (5) working days. Delayed or non-submission of the signed contract within the stipulated timeframe may result in forfeiture of the offer and service delays. If the signed contract is not submitted within the deadline stated above, Lodge Me At requires a minimum deposit of fifty percent (50%) of the total fee of the selected pack—either Ultimate Start or Comfort Plus—in order to retain the placement and move forward. Failure to provide this payment will lead to the offer being withdrawn and may subject the student to additional administrative restrictions. Upon receipt of the signed internship agreement, Lodge Me At will countersign the contract and issue an official finalised version to the student. This finalised contract will be sent together with secure payment links to settle any outstanding balance. This version becomes the official, enforceable version of the agreement. Payment must then be completed within five (5) working days from the date the finalised contract and payment link are sent. This applies regardless of whether the full amount is due or whether the fifty percent (50%) deposit was previously paid. Failure to make payment within this specified timeframe may result in cancellation of the internship offer without refund or recourse. No exceptions will be made unless explicitly agreed in writing by senior management.covered under each pack are detailed in your order confirmation, which forms part of this agreement.

The internship process follows a strict and clearly defined sequence as follows:

In the first stage, students may hold a maximum of two pending internship offers at any given time. This is to ensure fairness, transparency, and efficiency across all placements. Should a third internship opportunity arise, it may only be pursued once at least one of the two existing offers is formally declined. Holding more than two internship opportunities simultaneously is strictly prohibited and may lead to a suspension of service.

Once an internship offer is extended and both the student and host company indicate their willingness to proceed, Lodge Me At will issue a formal request for a signed contract from the student. This request must be fulfilled within a period of five (5) working days. Delayed or non-submission of the signed contract within the stipulated timeframe may result in forfeiture of the offer and service delays.

If the signed contract is not submitted within the deadline stated above, Lodge Me At requires a minimum deposit of fifty percent (50%) of the total fee of the selected pack—either Ultimate Start or Comfort Plus—in order to retain the placement and move forward. Failure to provide this payment will lead to the offer being withdrawn and may subject the student to additional administrative restrictions.

Upon receipt of the signed internship agreement, Lodge Me At will countersign the contract and issue an official finalised version to the student. This finalised contract will be sent together with secure payment links to settle any outstanding balance. This version becomes the official, enforceable version of the agreement.

Payment must then be completed within five (5) working days from the date the finalised contract and payment link are sent. This applies regardless of whether the full amount is due or whether the fifty percent (50%) deposit was previously paid. Failure to make payment within this specified timeframe may result in cancellation of the internship offer without refund or recourse. No exceptions will be made unless explicitly agreed in writing by senior management.

4. Service Engagement and Limitations

Lodge Me At acts solely as an intermediary between students and third-party service providers including host companies and accommodation owners. While we exercise rigorous screening and maintain strict partnership standards, Lodge Me At shall not be held liable for the conduct, practices, or decisions of any third-party provider. Internship contracts, housing leases, or any other formal agreement entered into with a third party are entirely independent from this agreement and are undertaken at your own risk. You are advised to thoroughly review any external contracts and seek legal guidance if required.

5. Intellectual Property

All content, tools, templates, documents, training materials, branding, and any other proprietary materials provided by Lodge Me At remain the sole intellectual property of the company. No part of our content may be copied, reproduced, distributed, or used for personal or commercial purposes without prior written authorisation from the company.

6. Pricing, Invoicing, and Refund Policy

All prices for services are outlined in your official order summary. These are subject to change based on market fluctuations, administrative costs, and external provider rates. You will be notified in writing of any such changes prior to finalisation. A 14-day cooling-off period applies from the date of initial payment. During this time, you may cancel your enrolment and request a full refund, provided that no substantial work has been initiated on your placement or accommodation search. After the cooling-off period, any payments made are non-refundable except in cases where Lodge Me At fails to deliver the services explicitly stated in the confirmed pack, such as the inability to secure an internship or accommodation as per the agreed criteria. Should you cancel your participation once the service process has commenced, Lodge Me At reserves the right to retain up to fifty percent (50%) of the total fee to cover administrative work and time already expended. Any eligible refunds are processed within seven (7) business days from the date of request approval and will be returned to the original payment method.

7. Non-Payment and Payment Failure

In the event that a required payment is not completed within the timeframe stated in this agreement, Lodge Me At reserves the right to suspend all services without notice. Continued failure to pay may result in full cancellation of the placement and forfeiture of all rights to refund or further engagement.

8. Legal Compliance, Behaviour, and Professional Conduct

Students must comply with all local laws and visa requirements in the country of placement. It is your responsibility to obtain and maintain all necessary legal documentation including visas and insurance, in accordance with host country requirements. Lodge Me At does not assume responsibility for the processing or procurement of such legal documents but will offer guidance where possible.

You are required to conduct yourself professionally and respectfully at all times during your internship, at your accommodation, and in all communications with host companies, landlords, and Lodge Me At representatives. Any form of misconduct, dishonesty, breach of contractual obligations, or involvement in unlawful activity may result in immediate termination of service without refund or compensation.

9. Data Privacy and Confidentiality

All personal information provided to Lodge Me At will be handled in accordance with applicable data protection legislation, including but not limited to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). We only collect data that is necessary to deliver our services, and your information will never be sold or disclosed to unauthorised third parties. All communication, contracts, and confidential data shared during the engagement are strictly confidential. Lodge Me At will not disclose any such data unless legally compelled to do so or where permission has been granted by you in writing.

10. Amendments and Notifications

We reserve the right to amend these Terms and Conditions at any time. Any material changes will be communicated to you in writing. Continued use of our services following notification of an update constitutes your acceptance of the revised terms.

11. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

This agreement shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of France. In the event of a dispute, both parties agree to attempt resolution through good faith negotiation. Should informal resolution fail, disputes shall be submitted to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Commercial Court of Paris.

12. Referral Program

Lodge Me At operates a referral program to reward students who introduce new clients to our services. If you refer another student who successfully completes payment and secures an internship placement through Lodge Me At, you will be entitled to receive a referral fee of forty Euros (€40). This referral fee will be disbursed within thirty (30) days of the referred student’s full payment, provided the referred student confirms your name as the referrer in writing at the time of registration. Referral payments are strictly conditional on this confirmation and cannot be retroactively claimed. The referral amount is fixed and is not subject to negotiation or alteration. Any abuse or manipulation of the referral system may result in the forfeiture of the referral benefit and termination of service.

13. Contractual Documents

Your agreement with Lodge Me At, referred to herein as the « Contract, » comprises the following documents in order of descending legal precedence: (1) Your Order Summary, (2) These General Terms and Conditions, and (3) Our General Terms of Use (GTU). In the event of any inconsistency or conflict between these documents, the document higher in the hierarchy shall take precedence and govern the interpretation and enforcement of your agreement with Lodge Me At.

14. Commencement and Duration

This Contract takes effect upon receipt of your payment and continues for the duration of your internship or accommodation arrangement. Should your internship or accommodation lease be extended through services provided by Lodge Me At, the contract will automatically extend to align with the new duration. You are strictly prohibited from bypassing Lodge Me At by entering into direct or indirect agreements with any of our partner host companies, accommodation providers, or service collaborators in an attempt to circumvent applicable service fees. Such action constitutes a material breach of contract and will result in immediate termination of service and potential legal recourse.

15. Client Obligations

By engaging our services, you expressly agree to: (a) provide accurate, honest, and complete personal information; (b) promptly inform us of any changes to your contact details, preferences, or circumstances relevant to the services; (c) follow all reasonable guidance, instructions, and recommendations issued by Lodge Me At throughout the service process; (d) use our services exclusively for your personal internship or accommodation needs, and not for any commercial, third-party, or unauthorised purpose; and (e) acknowledge and accept that the final decision regarding internship selection and acceptance rests solely with the host companies, and not Lodge Me At. Failure to uphold any of these obligations may result in limitations on our services or termination of this agreement without refund.

16. Use of Photographs and Media Content (POPIA Compliance)

By sending us photos, or by agreeing to be photographed by Lodge Me At staff or representatives (using personal or company-owned devices), the student grants Lodge Me At permission to use such photos for marketing and communication purposes, including our website, social media platforms, and promotional materials.

All photo usage is strictly limited to Lodge Me At’s professional activities. We will never sell or use any photo outside the scope of our services.

This consent is granted upon acceptance of these General Terms and Conditions of Service. Consent may be withdrawn at any time by submitting a written request to [contact email].

All photo handling complies with South Africa’s Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA). Lodge Me At takes all reasonable steps to ensure responsible and respectful use of all personal images.

Last Updated: June 2025