We chose this program because of the…
We chose this program because of the opportunity it offered our daughter. Overall, the academic experience was positive, but the first day of check-in left our family questioning whether the organization behind the program matched I what we read on the website. Parents were instructed that check-in would take place between around noon til 4:00 p.m., creating the expectation that students could arrive throughout that window and begin settling into their dorms. In reality, rooms were not available until approximately 3:00 p.m. As a result, roughly 150 students and their families spent hours waiting in a crowded lobby with little communication about what to expect when 3p arrived. What made the situation especially frustrating was that it appeared to have a straightforward solution. Students could have been checked in as they arrived and then called or lined up in smaller groups once rooms became available, rather than having everyone wait only to form one long line at the same time. More disappointing than the logistical issues was the response from staff. When concerns were raised, the feedback felt dismissive rather than empathetic. A simple acknowledgment of the inconvenience, an apology, or clear communication about the plan would have gone a long way toward reassuring families. Instead, many parents were left feeling that their concerns were not fully heard. As parents, the first day is when we are placing our trust in the adults who will be responsible for our children over the next nine days. When that first impression is marked by disorganization and poor communication, it naturally creates anxiety about the experience to come. Fortunately, the remainder of the program was stronger than the first day, and our daughter had a rewarding experience.