Terms & Conditions
Your Big Year®
Last updated: 19 January 2026
1. Acceptance of Terms
By visiting, using, or submitting content to this website, including the domains yourbigyear.com, internationalconnector.com, and any other websites owned, operated, or controlled by the partners and sponsors (collectively, the “Website”), you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions (the “Official Rules”).
These Official Rules apply to all users of the Website ("Users"). If you do not agree to these Official Rules and the applicable privacy policies, you must not use the Website or participate in the Program.
2. Program Overview
The IBM Z Student Ambassador Program (the “Program”) is an opportunity provided by IBM Z and managed by Your Big Year, a program of International Connector LLC (the “Manager”).
Selected participants will take part in a virtually facilitated program running from September 2025 to May 2026. The Program includes:
Access to a virtual curriculum covering IBM Z mainframe technology
Leadership, personal development, and professional skills training
Networking opportunities and exposure to employers seeking IBM Z technical skills
Participants are required to actively engage in Program activities, including (but not limited to):
Earning digital badges
Organizing or supporting IBM Z-related events or workshops
Establishing and maintaining an on-campus mainframe community
Teaching peers and promoting IBM Z technologies
Sharing Program-related activities on social media
Participants must maintain an “Active” status in accordance with Program criteria to remain enrolled.
3. Fees and Expenses
There is no fee to apply for or participate in the Program. Participants acknowledge that neither the Manager nor its partners or sponsors are responsible for any personal costs or expenses incurred in connection with participation. Any additional expenses are the sole responsibility of the participant.
4. Program Term and Application Period
Applications open in June 2025, with rolling intakes through March 2026.
The primary Program term runs from September 1, 2025, to May 31, 2026.
A separate summer session for continuing ambassadors runs from June to August 2025.
The Manager reserves the right to amend application or Program timelines at its discretion.
All accepted applicants must:
Attend one onboarding session; and
Complete the IBM Z Xplore Concepts Badge within two (2) weeks of provisional acceptance.
Failure to meet these requirements may result in removal from the Program.
5. Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible, applicants must:
Be currently enrolled at a university or college (standalone apprenticeship programs are not eligible)
Be at least 18 years of age
Have an intermediate level of English proficiency
Submit a complete Program application
Be registered on the IBM Z Xplore platform
Complete the IBM Z Xplore Concepts Badge within two (2) weeks of acceptance
Be a resident of one of the following countries:
Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Peru, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, or the United States (including U.S. territories).
IBM Z and International Connector reserve the right to remove any participant whose behavior does not align with Program standards, values, or expectations.
6. Application and Selection Process
To apply, applicants must:
Complete the Program application form
Register on the IBM Z Xplore platform
Attend an interview with a Your Big Year representative (if requested)
Acceptance into the Program is provisional until the applicant:
Completes the IBM Z Xplore Concepts Badge within two (2) weeks of notification; and
Attends an orientation session within two (2) weeks of notification.
All applications are reviewed for eligibility and compliance. Final selection decisions are made by designated selectors and are final and binding.
If a selected applicant cannot be contacted, fails to respond within three (3) days, or declines participation, the Manager may offer the position to another applicant at its discretion.
7. Applicant Representations
By submitting an application, you represent and warrant that:
All information provided is truthful, accurate, and complete
All submitted materials belong to you
Any linked websites or content do not contain obscene, defamatory, or otherwise inappropriate material, as determined by the Manager
8. Data Protection and Privacy (GDPR Compliance)
8.1 Data Controller
International Connector LLC (operating as Your Big Year) acts as the data controller for personal data collected in connection with the Program.
8.2 Personal Data Collected
Personal data may include, but is not limited to:
Name
Email address
Educational affiliation
Application responses
Profile photos, videos, and social media content submitted as part of the Program
8.3 Purpose and Legal Basis for Processing
Personal data is processed for the following purposes:
Administering and managing applications and participation in the Program
Verifying identity and eligibility
Communicating Program-related information
Promoting the Program (where consent or legitimate interest applies)
Processing is based on one or more of the following legal grounds under GDPR:
Performance of a contract
Legitimate interests
Consent (where required)
Compliance with legal obligations
8.4 Data Sharing and International Transfers
Personal data may be shared with Program partners (including IBM Z) and service providers located outside your country of residence, including outside the European Economic Area (EEA). Where applicable, appropriate safeguards (such as standard contractual clauses) are used to protect such transfers.
8.5 Data Retention
Personal data will be retained only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined above or as required by law.
8.6 Data Subject Rights
Applicants and participants have the right to:
Access their personal data
Request correction or deletion
Restrict or object to processing
Withdraw consent at any time (where processing is based on consent)
Lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority
Requests may be submitted by contacting the Manager at the details provided in the applicable privacy policy.
9. License and Media Release
By participating in the Program, applicants grant the Manager and its partners a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to use submitted content (including photos, videos, and statements) for Program administration and promotion, in any media now known or later developed.
This license does not affect your ownership rights. Where required by law, consent for such use may be withdrawn prospectively.
10. General Conditions
The Manager reserves the right to suspend, modify, or terminate the Program if its integrity or operation is compromised. Any attempt to interfere with the Program may result in disqualification and legal action.
Failure to enforce any provision of these Terms does not constitute a waiver.
11. Third-Party Websites and Platforms
The Manager is not responsible for the policies or practices of third-party websites accessed via links. The Program is not sponsored, endorsed, or administered by social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, X, YouTube, Medium, or Discord.
12. Release and Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by law, participants release and hold harmless the Manager, partners, affiliates, and associated parties from any claims arising out of participation in the Program.
Nothing in these Terms limits liability where such limitation is prohibited by law, including under applicable consumer protection or data protection regulations.
13. Disclaimer of Warranties
The Website and Program are provided on an “as is” basis without warranties of any kind, except where such exclusions are not permitted by law.
14. Governing Law and Jurisdiction
These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of New Jersey, United States of America. Where mandatory consumer or data protection laws apply, such rights remain unaffected.
15. Contact Information
For questions regarding these Terms or data protection matters, please refer to the applicable privacy policy or contact the Program administrator as outlined therein.
GDPR-Compliant Terms of Service (2026 Standard)
1. Introduction
Welcome to Your Big Year, a program operated by International Connector LLC ("we", "us", "our"). These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your access to and use of our website, platform, programs, and related services (collectively, the "Services").
By accessing or using the Services, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and our Privacy Policy, which forms an integral part of this agreement.
2. Eligibility
You must be at least 18 years of age or the consent of a parent or guardian, as otherwise stated in specific program terms and conditions and have the legal capacity to enter into a binding agreement to use the Services or the consent of a parent or guardian, as otherwise stated in specific program terms and conditions. By using the Services, you represent and warrant that you meet these requirements.
3. Account Registration
To access certain features, you may be required to create an account. You agree to:
Provide accurate, current, and complete information;
Maintain and promptly update your account details;
Use the Services only for lawful purposes.
We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts that contain inaccurate, misleading, or incomplete information.
4. User Responsibilities and Security
You are responsible for safeguarding your login credentials and for all activities conducted through your account. You must notify us without undue delay if you become aware of any unauthorized access or security breach.
We are not responsible for losses resulting from unauthorized account use where you have failed to take reasonable security measures.
5. Intellectual Property Rights
All intellectual property rights in the Services, including but not limited to software, databases, designs, text, graphics, trademarks, logos, and audiovisual content, are owned by or licensed to International Connector LLC.
Nothing in these Terms grants you any ownership rights. You may not copy, modify, distribute, reverse engineer, or exploit any part of the Services without prior written consent, except as permitted by law.
6. Data Protection and Privacy (GDPR & UK GDPR – 2026)
6.1 Data Controller
International Connector LLC acts as the Data Controller for personal data processed in connection with the Services.
6.2 Personal Data We Process
Depending on your use of the Services, we may process:
Identification data (name, email address)
Account and application data
Communications and support correspondence
Technical data (IP address, device and browser information)
6.3 Purposes and Legal Bases for Processing
We process personal data only where permitted by law, based on one or more of the following legal bases:
Performance of a contract (Article 6(1)(b) GDPR)
Legitimate interests, such as improving and securing our Services (Article 6(1)(f))
Consent, where explicitly requested (Article 6(1)(a))
Compliance with legal obligations (Article 6(1)(c))
6.4 Automated Decision-Making
We do not engage in automated decision-making or profiling that produces legal or similarly significant effects, unless explicitly disclosed and permitted by law.
6.5 International Data Transfers
Your data may be transferred to and processed in countries outside the European Economic Area (EEA) or the United Kingdom. Where this occurs, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, including:
Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs)
UK International Data Transfer Addendum
Adequacy decisions, where applicable
6.6 Data Retention
Personal data is retained only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, comply with legal obligations, or resolve disputes. Retention periods are defined in our Privacy Policy.
6.7 Your Rights Under GDPR
You have the right to:
Access your personal data
Request rectification or erasure
Restrict or object to processing
Withdraw consent at any time (where applicable)
Receive your data in a portable format
Lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority in your country of residence
Requests may be submitted using the contact details below.
7. Third-Party Services
The Services may include links to or integrations with third-party platforms. We are not responsible for the privacy practices, content, or security of third-party services.
8. Limitation of Liability
To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, International Connector LLC and its affiliates shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, consequential, or special damages arising from your use of the Services.
Nothing in these Terms limits or excludes liability for:
Death or personal injury caused by negligence
Fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation
Any liability that cannot be excluded under applicable law, including GDPR
9. Governing Law and Jurisdiction
These Terms shall be governed by the laws of the State of New Jersey, United States of America. If you are a resident of the EEA or the UK, mandatory local consumer and data protection laws shall continue to apply.
10. Changes to These Terms
We may update these Terms from time to time. Where changes are material, we will provide reasonable notice via email or prominent notice on the Services. Continued use of the Services after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.
11. Contact Information
For questions regarding these Terms or data protection matters, please contact:
Hannan Khan
International Connector LLC
Email: hannan@internationalconnector.com