The Parties agree that arbitration is the required and exclusive forum for the resolution of any and all disputes between them. Any claim or controversy of whatever nature, including but not limited to tort and contract claims, claims arising under common law or based upon any federal, state or local statute, law, order, ordinance or regulations, and claims arising out of any relationship before, at the time of entering, during the term of, or upon or after expiration or termination of this agreement, and the issue of arbitrability, arising out of or relating to this contract, or the breach thereof, shall be resolved by final and binding arbitration.  This mandatory arbitration provision includes any dispute between the Client* and AIPT and its current and former officers, directors, employees and agents. 

Any covered dispute must be submitted to arbitration in accordance with the rules of the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association, except as otherwise provided in this agreement.  Any such arbitration will be conducted in the State of Maryland, and will be decided in accordance with and determined by the laws of the State of Maryland and/or applicable federal law.  The arbitrator shall not have the authority to award punitive damages or any other damages not measured by the prevailing party’s actual damages, and may not award costs or attorneys’ fees to either Party except where expressly provided for by the applicable law.

The Parties are prohibited from disclosing the existence, content, or results of the arbitration without the prior written consent of the other party or parties, unless the disclosure is otherwise required by court order.

Each Party shall bear its own costs and expenses.  The resolution of any dispute achieved through such arbitration shall be final, binding and enforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction. 

*For this agreement, “client” means any business, its current or former officers, directors, employees, and agents, and any participant, former, current or otherwise in process of application, engaged with AIPT’s programs.  These programs include, but are not limited to, AIPT Experience USA, AIPT Train USA, IAESTE United States, AIPT Exchange Explorer, Professional Visitors Programs, and Americans Abroad.