Privacy Policy

Introduction

This Privacy Policy describes how Study Abroad ("we", "us", or "our") collects, uses, and shares your personal information when you use our services, visit our website, or interact with us.

We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your personal information. By using our services, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Personal Information

We collect personal information that you provide to us directly, including:

• Name, email address, phone number, and date of birth
• Nationality and passport information
• Academic records (certificates, transcripts, degrees)
• English language test scores (IELTS, TOEFL, etc.)
• Work experience and employment history
• Financial information (for visa and scholarship applications)
• Personal statements, essays, and recommendation letters
• Any other information you provide in application forms or communications

1.2 Automatically Collected Information

When you visit our website, we may automatically collect:

• IP address and browser type
• Device information and operating system
• Pages visited and time spent on our website
• Referring website addresses
• Cookies and similar tracking technologies

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

• To provide our services: Process your university applications, visa applications, and scholarship applications
• To communicate with you: Send updates, respond to inquiries, and provide customer support
• To improve our services: Analyze usage patterns and enhance user experience
• To comply with legal obligations: Meet regulatory requirements and respond to legal requests
• To send marketing communications: Inform you about our services, events, and opportunities (with your consent)
• To maintain security: Protect against fraud, unauthorized access, and other security issues

3. How We Share Your Information

We may share your personal information with:

• Universities and educational institutions: To process your applications
• Embassy and visa authorities: To support your visa applications
• Scholarship providers: To apply for scholarships on your behalf
• Service providers: Third-party vendors who assist us in providing our services (e.g., email services, payment processors)
• Legal authorities: When required by law or to protect our rights

We do not sell your personal information to third parties.

4. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include:

• Encryption of sensitive data
• Secure servers and databases
• Access controls and authentication
• Regular security assessments
• Employee training on data protection

However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

5. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law.

Typically, we retain:

• Application documents: 5 years after application completion
• Communication records: 3 years
• Financial records: As required by applicable tax and accounting laws

6. Your Rights

You have the following rights regarding your personal information:

• Access: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you
• Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
• Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information (subject to legal obligations)
• Objection: Object to processing of your personal information for certain purposes
• Restriction: Request restriction of processing in certain circumstances
• Data portability: Request transfer of your data to another service provider
• Withdraw consent: Withdraw consent for marketing communications at any time

To exercise these rights, please contact us at [email protected]

7. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience on our website. Cookies are small text files stored on your device.

Types of Cookies We Use:

• Essential cookies: Required for the website to function properly
• Analytics cookies: Help us understand how visitors use our website
• Functional cookies: Remember your preferences and settings
• Marketing cookies: Track your activity to deliver relevant advertisements

You can control cookies through your browser settings. However, disabling cookies may affect the functionality of our website.

8. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites, including university websites, scholarship portals, and social media platforms. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these external sites. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any personal information.

9. Children's Privacy

Our services are intended for individuals who are at least 16 years old. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 16. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us, and we will delete such information.

10. International Data Transfers

Your personal information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your country of residence, including countries where universities, embassies, or our service providers are located. These countries may have different data protection laws.

We ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your information in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We will notify you of any material changes by:

• Posting the updated policy on our website
• Updating the "Last updated" date at the top of this page
• Sending you an email notification (for significant changes)

We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically.

12. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us: