December 14, 2011
Tulsa after-school program worker faces sex charges
By AMANDA BLAND, World Staff Writer, Tulsa World
Click for full story
CSFES NOTE: In this article, you will read, "In 2007, The Oklahoman reported questionable practices at a nonaccredited and
unregulated school in Oklahoma City founded by Storrs, wherein foreign-exchange
students reportedly lived with host families, including Storrs, in deplorable
conditions."
Name of exchange agency responsible for placement of foreign exchange students in deplorable conditions:
ASSE International
To read more:
Sun June 10, 2007, The Oklahoman
Bayard Rustin Living Learning Center tales differ
By Randy Ellis, Staff Writer
Unexpected surprises
Lorenz and fellow foreign exchange students Daniel Balser, 17, of Germany and Petr Dolecek, 17, of the Czech Republic told The Oklahoman that Bayard Rustin provided them and three other exchange students with one bizarre surprise after another.
While Lorenz was dealing with cockroaches Balser and Dolecek were placed in Storrs' home. Balser said he came to Oklahoma City with the understanding he would be living with former Bayard Rustin Principal Sean Lee. But after arriving, he learned Storrs would be his host.
Balser said Storrs told him he was gay, but not being familiar with all the nuances of the language, he thought Storrs might be saying that he was a "happy person.”
Balser said he realized Storrs was a homosexual after meeting his gay roommate.
"They didn't do anything to us. Just the feeling wasn't so cool,” he said.
Dolecek said he understood before he came to Oklahoma City that Storrs was homosexual, but it wasn't a big deal to him.
The students said they had never heard of Bayard Rustin when the exchange program notified them that they would have an opportunity to attend school there.
They said they looked up the school on the Internet, but about all they discovered was that Bayard Rustin was a private school that embraced students from diverse social and racial backgrounds and received part of its funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
The Gates Foundation tie seemed promising.
"I thought it was a prestigious school,” Dolecek said, adding he also thought it might be high tech.
He was wrong.
An IBM employee who worked on the computers said some of them were so old they wouldn't load 10-year-old software. Storrs said he bought the computers cheap as surplus property.
School moves
As for the school, students said they were surprised to discover it was located in a warehouse on E Reno Avenue. They were even more surprised when officials packed up and moved the school a few weeks into the fall semester. The new location at 726 Colbertson Drive is in a strip shopping center southeast of the state Capitol.
Jimmy Nix, the warehouse owner, said he was trying to evict Storrs when school officials moved.
"They were in there probably two or three months,” Nix said.
Nix said he received two bad checks from Storrs, along with a lot of excuses.
Other suppliers reported similar experiences.
And it wasn't just the suppliers who weren't being paid.
Former teachers told The Oklahoman they weren't, either, which prompted many of them to quit mid-semester.
"Most of the time, we were just sitting there doing nothing,” Balser said.
The students said they would have one morning class, then do whatever. Fights frequently broke out between students, they said.
The state Education Department never stepped in because it doesn't have oversight of private schools that don't seek accreditation, said department spokeswoman Shelly Hickman.
Dolecek said he thought it was strange the school didn't have money to pay teachers because it bought thousands of dollars in football equipment for a joint team with some charter schools.
The school still owes several thousand dollars on the equipment, an employee of the business that sold the equipment said.
Money problems
Storrs said Bayard Rustin is a private school that doesn't charge tuition. He admits money was a constant problem.
The school's two primary sources of funding were a $150,000 model schools grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and federal money the school collected for doing after-school tutoring of Oklahoma City students, Storrs said.
Student Exchange Agency:
ASSE International
---
Exchange-student problems bring shake-up
by Randy Ellis, The Oklahoman, June 10, 2007
http://newsok.com/article/3064436
Student Exchange Agency:
ASSE International
---
Bayard Rustin Living Learning Center tales differ
by Randy Ellis, The Oklahoman, June 10, 2007
Three high school foreign exchange students had high expectations last summer after they learned they had been accepted into a private Oklahoma City school funded in part with a grant from Microsoft billionaire Bill Gates' foundation.
Nobody said anything about fights in classrooms. Nobody said anything about living with convicted felons. Nobody said anything about cockroaches.
Those were things they had to learn from experience.
http://newsok.com/article/3064452
Student Exchange Agency:
ASSE International
***
November 9, 2011
The Detroit News www.detnews.com
U.S. restricts troubled visa program
Changes come amid reported abuses, including students paid $1 an hour or less
HOLBROOK MOHR / Associated Press
Click for full story
***
September 8, 2011
Committee Files Complaint against Student Exchange Group
Lawsuit names Nacel groups in alleged sex assault, by Leah Beno / Fox 9 News
Click for full story
Student Exchange Agency: Nacel Open Door
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September 1, 2011
Lawsuit: Exchange Student Sexually Abused Child
Mongolian student, 15, deported after incident, by Leah Beno / Fox 9 News
Click for full story
Student Exchange Agency: Nacel Open Door
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August 22, 2011
Vandeventer trial pushed back
By Nick Schneider, Assistant Editor, Greene County Daily World
Student Exchange Agency: International Student Exchange (ISE)
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July 26, 2011
Turkish Living | News Detail Work and Travel Program, issues and warnings
By Isil Oz
Click for full story
Translation in English:
Turkish Living | News Detail
25.07.2011
Work and Travel program, issues and warnings
SAN DIEGO SELF ISIL / T24
Each year 10 thousand of Turkish students participated in "Work and Travel" (Work and Travel) program show great interest in college students, but their ordeal, remains on the agenda.
Work and Travel program, post-secondary students learning English as well as the exchange of culture in the United States, and offers the opportunity to earn money. Turkey, in second place worldwide in terms of numbers of participants in this program.
American students with their peers from around the world participating in the program is running under the same operating conditions and legal protections emphasized how much the companies sponsored the students open to debate.
New application
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United States last month calls for Making a regulation on this issue. The implementation of the new rules as of July 15. Is he aware that thousands of students applying from the beginning of the summer course, we do not know!
The host families, interview by someone other than the first person to be visited for a second time, the house of the family incurred over 18 years of the FBI's obligation to provide fingerprints, parent, unmarried child of school age are not allowed, restrictions on the number of students per supervisor, the sponsor organizations to obtain personal financial information about the family income requirement, the student will be requested from home photos, the program re-approved each year and sponsors need to test students online, as well as to stay on the topic of family, bringing a new addition to the prohibition of payment of the application of notable items.
Sponsors opposition to the law
The sponsors are aware of the law zorlaştıracağının jobs are doing their best to undermine the process. Experiencing an intense lobbying. The financial burden of new applications, the pressure to establish a basic point of departure for work. This will be reflected on the financial burden to students over and over again is a product of efforts to expand the front to indicate opposition to the law.
I have followed closely the work of CSFES (Foreign Student Safety Committee) discussed in recent days with President Danielle Grijalva had the chance to talk about these applications.
CSFES, California-based non-profit 501 (c) 3, contributing to the strengthening of the United States Department of Regulation and security of foreign students working for the institution.
Thanks to CSFES sexual abuse, neglect, and significantly reduced the number of children we know the victim of extortion. Grijalva'e first, "How is it used in abuse of the J-1 program?" I asked.
"That's a lot of money and unfortunately there is not enough supervision," he said and added: "The state for decades, not many students knew enough to home and family to come under this program leads the way with 30 thousand people. These young people up to the needs of housing and eliminate conditions that properly, it does not, unfortunately, the continuity of a structure to supervise. "
So, what do you think the new rules, will it work?
Unfortunately, no. Further worsening of abuse will continue.
What are the weaknesses of the exchange program?
Available depending on the state sponsors of home and family agree that the number of students önemsemeksizin. Most of the time students on the couch in the hall, on the pool tables, we know that they had to sleep, trapped in a musty garage. Students using the families as a servant to hold the what-not. Do not make the students complain about what they want and leave it outside the program also chipped in with luxuries. The weakness of state institutions in this regard, sponsors, people convicted of crimes of sexual freedom to place the student even knows the house. Incoming students are still problems in their life is important.
How the relationship between foreign students and business owners?
It is a question of the Work and Travel program, students will bow their mouths that have come to the United States become, of course, that's my opinion. If the student is, for whatever reason are not satisfied with the work environment to the business owner to understand and listen to him, instead of directly contacting the agency to receive passes and the student's country of operation is started. I barely had a chance to come to this country under pressure, knows this risk students, and that you feel obliged to obey all the unpleasant event that the work took place.
How often do you receive a complaint?
CSFES in the world as not just students, parents, school administrators about the host families and take the complaint. We are concerned for the children of families reached the first address. Children in contact with the families that did not pass, his laptop, were taken to the phone, why can not reach our children, I look for us. Some children are allergic to animals, or some nutrients are of particular importance to us were calling for. Tired, anxious, is talking on the phone for hours with dozens of parents. Those who contact us because of school administrators also have similar concerns. For example, a child's body, the majority of South Koreans are infected as a result of flea bite. Despite the efforts of all agencies responsible for the situation by ignoring the school counselor, advisor missed.
A student teacher in Ohio, accompanied him to the landlord is that evening while taking a shower, shower after the massage is a normal request, whether it is part of the culture, asking Did you know? Dozens of abuse such as this.
I have read dozens of comments about the forums once the Work and Travel. Most of the students will support you, "Stay where you are set to work and do not go out unless you are sure. Before your arrival, do certainly practice your English, is said to learn how simple needs. In your pocket that will take you back to your country to retain a certain currency. You leave this program, speak to one carried out previously . you always take on the road to prepare for the worst, they say.
This awareness is an important ...
"If you're on the road for this job, what company you go, be prepared for everything" are warning. The company is not so important that they are all roughly the same services, provides a place for everyone at the bottom of the sting companies are very satisfied with the students, where many complain that there is also chalked on companies, praised the heavens. What do you think?
Must be prepared to communicate with us, of course, and should not be neglected.
One student's message interesting, says: "Rely on yourself. The company, which is great, but there work can lead to problems, the promise does not stop, anything can happen, but you will not experience a problem if you trust yourself to overcome gelemeyeceğiniz. No Business? Find another job ... Home No? find another home, especially as a limit switch with the permission of Allah, the rest is easy ... Finally, if the company negotiates a very garanticiyseniz RoadShow off one of the jobs, you'll go to the pasha pasha. In summary, "Entered Sweat"
A young friend, obviously a very fatalistic. Work and Travel USA program or change my future with the young people will have this suggestion:
First of all I would like to call the families of our youth. Do not send your children to never finding a proper family awaiting their arrival.
Students should get the necessary documents from their own country before leaving the school.
Whether the school should know the future of a public or private school.
Yerl convicted criminals to their homes.
Do not have to live in the house of representatives from their own region.
Do not want to live in homes without basic hygiene standards, a very natural, underlined this issue.
Ensure the phone number for emergencies, the U.S. State Department.
Not sign any document that they did not understand fully.
Visitors must be fully aware of their rights in this country. Dispatch stress countries in any way.
Security concerns about a change in the student, CSFES
BeSafe@csfes.org at 760-583-9593 or reach may be contacted at the phone number. Call the 911 emergency number for all international visitors can get the necessary assistance.
Last word on the matter: the suspicious behavior, please report to us suspects that implements ill-treatment: Complaint@csfes.org
***
May 27, 2011
Pastor charged with sexual assault of exchange student
Article by: Star Tribune
Click for full story
Student Exchange Agency: EF Foundation
Note from CSFES: It has been reported that David E. Radtke has hosted more than one foreign exchange student.
CSFES encourages anyone with additional information to please contact attorney Don Lannoye, telephone: 507-647-5377 or via email: Don@sibley.mn.us
You are also welcome to contact the Committee for Safety of Foreign Exchange Students at Besafe@csfes.org or calling 760-583-9593.
Requests to remain anonymous will be respected.
***
May 25, 2011
Former Osbourn teacher to serve 25 years for child porn By Amanda Stewart, INSIDENOVA.COM
Click for full story
Student Exchange Agencies:
American Scandinavian Student Exchange (ASSE) and
EF Foundation for Foreign Study (EF Foundation)
*******
March 31, 2011
Former Coach Pleads Guilty
John Hamilton molested young athletes, exchange student
By Bonnie Hobbs
Click for full story
Student Exchange Agency: American International Student Exchange (AISE)
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Exchange Students Refrained from Reporting Sexual Abuse in America
March 14, 2011 by Danielle Grijalva, Yahoo! Contributor Network
Click for full story
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February 14, 2011
$2 million civil lawsuit filed against Beaverton man and foreign exchange program in sex abuse case
By Wendy Owen, The Oregonian
Click for full story
Student Exchange Agency: Pacific Intercultural Exchange (PIE)
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January 25, 2011
The Korea Times Special
Sneaky house owner peeps at young Koreans studying in US
Click for full story
Student Exchange Agency: Name of agency has yet to be released by Principal Ryan Clymer of Faith Christian Academy as of March 26, 2011.
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January 24, 2011
Former Va. teacher Kevin Ricks pleads guilty to child pornography, gets 25 years
By Josh White and Dana Hedgpeth, Washington Post Staff Writers
Click for Full Story
Student Exchange Agency: American Scandinavian Student Exchange (ASSE) and
EF Foundation for Foreign Study (EF Foundation)
***
January 24, 2011
A host for Faith Christian Academy in Sellersville is charged with videotaping three exchange students in his home
By: MATT COUGHLIN, Bucks County Courier Times
Click for full story
Student Exchange Agency: Name of agency has yet to be released by Principal Ryan Clymer of Faith Christian Academy as of March 26, 2011
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January 24, 2011
St. Paul plumber accused of child molestation
TwinCities.com, By Emily Gurnon
Click for full story
The above article reads, "He also provided his family a list of names of his victims -- which numbered more than 20. They included female relatives and victims he met through his plumbing work and his associations with foreign exchange students, the affidavit said."
***
January 21, 2011
Fairfax sex fugitive extradited from Poland
The Washington Post by Tom Jackman
Click for full story
Student Exchange Agency: American International Student Exchange (AISE)
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January 14, 2011
Police: Host Parent Videotaped Exchange Students, Provided Alcohol
69 News WFMZ-TV
Click for full story
Student Exchange Agency: Name of agency has yet to be released by Principal Ryan Clymer of Faith Christian Academy as of February 3, 2011.
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January 14, 2011
Former Lower Milford Township man charged with Making Sex Tapes of Exchange Students
By Mariella Savidge and Elizabeth Rich UpperSauconPatch
Click for full story
Student Exchange Agency: Name of agency has yet to be released by Principal Ryan Clymer of Faith Christian Academy as of February 3, 2011
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January 5, 2011
Beaverton man will serve 5 years in prison for sex abuse of high school exchange student
By Emily E. Smith, The Oregonian
Click here for full story
Student Exchange Agency: Pacific Intercultural Exchange (PIE)
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December 20, 2010
Former Manassas teacher taken into federal custody on child pornography charges after being released from Virginia jail
By Josh White
Washington Post Staff Writer
Click for full story
Above article reads, "A Washington Post investigation has found more than a dozen boys who knew Ricks as a teacher, tutor, camp counselor, foreign exchange host and scout leader and thought they were victimized or targeted."
Student Exchange Agencies:
American Scandinavian Student Exchange (ASSE)
EF Foundation for Foreign Study (EF Foundation)
Note from CSFES: Former exchange students hosted or supervised by Kevin Ricks are encouraged to contact Captain Steve Bamford of the Manassas City Police Department:
Telephone: 703-257-8005
Email: SBamford@ci.manassas.va.us
You are also free to contact: Committee for Safety of Foreign Exchange Students:
Telephone: 760-583-9593
