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- Prosectors asked for 5 years
1 hour 19 min ago - Verdict?
1 hour 22 min ago - this brings back horrible
15 hours 21 min ago - All these reasons that you
16 hours 47 sec ago - SARHUHASHI TRIAL A PATSY
17 hours 53 min ago - Can't see it, really. A bit
1 day 12 hours ago - I wouldn't be surprised if it
1 day 20 hours ago - I doubt it. Lots of weird
2 days 16 hours ago - Gripe
2 days 17 hours ago - I was wondering whether it's
2 days 19 hours ago
Down the Money Hole
Failed study abroad agent Gateway21 held a meeting Sunday to apologize to its clients, telling them that their money had vanished into thin air.
"I am really sorry that your dreams and lives fell apart" because of the company, President Tomomasa Fukui said as he threw himself on the ground and bowed in apology.
The company declared bankruptcy Wednesday. The clients at the meeting reacted with anger, demanding Gateway21 repay them and accusing it of fraud.
Gateway21 officials repeatedly apologized to them.
Perhaps Fukui knew he was in for it when got down on his hands and knees. The evening news was all over this story pointing out that Gateway21 was using the money it took from students to pay the rent and employee salaries instead of using it to pay for the study programs overseas. One report I saw called the scandal for what it is: Fraud.
According to Gateway21's lawyer, about ¥950 million in tuition and boarding fees paid by some 1,300 people who were planning to go overseas is unlikely to be recovered, even after bankruptcy procedures.
Worse yet, it sounds like there will be no straight answers for another year.
A lawyer representing Gateway21 said the company will hold another meeting next year once the bankruptcy becomes official and asked the clients to attend that meeting.
For students who actually made it overseas, they may be forced to come home early.
In addition, about 1,000 clients now abroad might have to interrupt their studies because Gateway21 has stopped paying its overseas business partners.
A lot of angry people turned up looking for answers as to why Westgate kept accepting new applicants when it knew it was in serious financial trouble. Saying, "Sorry, your money is gone and I apologize. Please come to the meeting next year" is an empty gesture that won't score Fukui any sympathy points.
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Comments
hontoni.... goMAN naSAI
It's terrible for the overseas students...
Will the little people get angry enough to rock the boat of corporate fatcats?
I'm thinking... no. Anger only results in apologies.
Tomomasa Fuku apologized. He's finished here. He's Saruhasi's understudy.
NEXT!
Exactly! And let the cycle
Exactly! And let the cycle continue... until somebody actually files a complaint of some sort to some sorta government agency, things will likely never change. Unfortunately, the consumer is much less protected in this country than, say, an employee is - by law. As we saw last year, staff and instructors were backwages by the government, yet the students received no such refund or compensation. Buy or beware I guess the saying goes - ESPECIALLY IN THIS FRIGGIN COUNTRY!!!
oh wait, i think its Buyer
oh wait, i think its Buyer beware, heheh..
Offer to Gateway 21 Students
All of us at Vancouver English Centre were surprised and disappointed when we learned that Gateway 21 had ceased doing business. We understand the problems that such a situation can cause for the affected agents and students and we would like to help. Consequently, we will, at no charge, provide the same EFL training that these students have paid Gateway 21 for. The details can be found here: http://www.vec.ca/English/8/gateway-21.cfm
Language school agents
Hi, my name is Kevin and I am a partner in Mitsuba Associates with my two Japanese partners and 3 bilingual Japanese counsellors. We are based in the UK and offer Japanese students support and application assistance to Language schools and Universities worldwide. We operate on the internet but are always available on the phone offering a very personal service. We personally know most of our Schools and their staff, especially in the UK.
In that way we offer so much more than remote advice on the internet and have frequently intervened to 'rescue' students from difficult situations.
The other BIG difference is that you the student pay the Schools directly. You pay us nothing. Much better for you!
As with VEC, we are disappointed that students have been abandoned. At Mitsuba Associates this cannot happen, and we will be pleased to help you. Contact Noriko at info@mitsuba.co.uk and see us at:
www.mitsuba.co.uk
Seek Advice!
The story above is very upsetting. I have been working in overseas study programs for many years now and am the Director of my own company. There is no excuse for what happened here. My advice to people looking to travel abroad is to do as Kevin said above and contact the schools directly.
I myself worked for many large organizations and became disillusioned as the directors of the companies were never from an education background. My company, KanGo Education & Adventure, has four Directors, all of whom are qualified teachers and have a passion for education.
If you would like any advice or assurances on the courses you are going to book I would be more than happy to assist. One of our Directors is from Japan and I can put you into contact with her if you wish to correspond in Japanese.
My deepest sympathies go out to those who lost their money in this venture. I know how hard people save to have their study trips and realize the importance attached to such an experience.
Once again, please feel free to contact me if need assistance.
John Cotton
CEO & Marketing Director
KanGo Education & Adventure
www.kangoeducation.com
john.cotton@kangoeducation.com
Very nice of you, but...
Most of the people who visit this site are not students, but (largely burnt out, underqualified, negative, but sometimes quite witty) teachers. So you're not only (probably) barking up the wrong tree, but risk being flamed, too, by bellicose, embittered (ahem) teachers.
And a flaming tree is not the place to be.
This is simply frustrating.
This is simply frustrating. These students do not deserve the consequences. I think the government should intervene in such cases.
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