Avoid This: Study Abroad Gone Wrong

Study abroad programs can be expensive. But if you like knowing that you will get what you pay for, don't go through just any organization.

I made that mistake just over a year ago, when I went through a company who was not affiliated with my program at Portland State University. I'm not going to name that company, other than saying it's kind of an acronym for Classless Stealing A(bleep)s, as they threatened to sue me. A quote from an email they sent me said, "We are a company and can sue individuals. Don't do anything...stupid."

So I'm keeping the name under wraps. But I am spilling their dirty little secret.

I spent six months getting forms and petitions together so that I could get this program approved through my school. If I hadn't done this, I would have had to pay all expenses out of pocket, and would not have received financial aid. You see, your school has ties with programs to ensure adequate funding, as well as the security of knowing you won't be robbed by some scandalous company.

To guarantee my spot in the study abroad arrangement, I saved up five grand while working as a bartender part-time (30 hours a week), going to school full-time, and living alone in a downtown apartment. It was no easy task, as any college student knows, saving up nickels and dimes usually mean a great kegger at the end of the term.

I got accepted, finally got approval from my school for additional funding and credits, got my passport and visas together, and packed up to spend six months in Aix-en-Provence.

When I got there and saw the school, I was less than thrilled. The cafeteria was basically a closet with a vending machine, but this was nothing compared to the curriculum. When I saw the list of classes available, they did not correlate with the syllabus given to me by the study abroad company.

Not only was my stomach churning from the hot cocoa concocted from the vending machine, but my heart sunk deep into the belly of malcontent. I had to carefully match up each class the company described and get them approved - individually - by my advisor in Portland. Now that I knew none of these classes existed, I knew I would not get any credit, would have my financial aid revoked, and would not graduate any time in this decade.

The program said that on-site staff would be available to assist me, but when I went in to the office at the Aix School, they really had no idea what I was talking about (could be because they spoke French), and said there was nothing they could do, as that was an affiliate program not directly incorporated with their curriculum.

I didn't know what to do, either. So I went to the first day of class, wondering if I could make the best of a worst-case scenario. The class was juvenile - French 101. Useless. Needless to say, I didn't go back.

Then came my email campaign to the company, asking why what they advertised wasn't available, whom I could talk to in person, and what to do next. I got no response while waiting that day in the Internet café, and got kicked out for hoarding one of the twenty computers.

Finally, two days later, they wrote back. They said that it was basically my problem now, as I was on campus and could deal with it first-hand. But what, I ask, could I - a little American who could barely say 'Pass me the cheese, sir" in French possibly do in a country who isn't too fond of us yanks?

I devoted my energy into getting out of there. No way was I wasting five thousand dollars I had saved up for months, not to mention my school credit and financial aid eligibility. I wrote them back, saying thanks for the help, but I'd rather get a refund - even if partial, as I would not be taking any classes.

Their response? We offer no refunds. And even if we did, we wouldn't offer one to you because you went to class.

I went to one class. One miserable little class that I left early and never did the homework for.

My emails were no longer nice. Polite, yes, but aggressive and to the point. I suggested that their false advertising was what lured me in, and that this could not be ethical - and was perhaps even illegal.

That's when they threatened to sue me.

I ended up getting a calling card and spoke with my father, who told me it would be wise to get out of the country and back in the States before the company decided to take any strange and sinister actions (like trapping me in customs, which is everyone's nightmare).

Two weeks in France, and I was headed home, heart heavy with the feeling of failure.

But when I got back, I embarked on my own study abroad, flying to New York, Philadelphia, and working in Florida. I explored the east coast I'd never seen, and spent time with friends and family.

By the time I cam back to Portland, I felt alive. I felt like I could do anything. Darn it, I put this project together when everyone said it couldn't be done; I saved up this money despite being a starving full time student with a cat and no roommates. And even though my trip didn't go as planned, I persevered and cam out on top with the feeling that world truly is my oyster.

Point is, you really do have the power to move mountains. But you have to be careful who sells you the equipment. A word to all prospective study abroad students: Do it, full heartedly, and have fun. But be careful. If your school has a program, go with it. It might cost a little more, but you won't be disappointed