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[mountain_ivy]

Anyone familiar with this program?  I have a student who's been accepted and is very excited, but after looking at the web site, I wonder if it's a scam or legit? 

[namazu]

The program seems to be a for-profit study-and-travel abroad program.  I am not personally familiar with it, and don't know any students who've participated.

The "vision" of the company that runs the program (Envision EMI) doesn't particularly impress me:
"Vision
An organization's vision is a clear concise picture of where it intends to be and what it plans to achieve in the future. At Envision, our vision is a simple financial measurement…
…growing our profit ten times in eight years. This big hairy audacious goal has ignited us to:
    * Make us think completely out of the box when assessing potential opportunities
    * Innovate ways to become more effective in everything that we do
    * Explore a wide range of opportunities all within the framework of our mission
    * Constantly leave our comfort zones and take risks
Half way through this eight year vision we are on track to achieve our goal."
From http://www.envisionemi.com/vision.asp
Their "mission" and "values" statements are a little less overtly profit-focused, but still sound like they were written by marketers.  Then again, those things usually are.

Assuming the students really do get the promised lodging, food, and study experiences, and they know what they've signed up for, I don't think it could be called a scam, though.  It seems to be another of these education-and-tourism programs that adopts certain linguistic conventions designed to make it sound prestigious.  I don't begrudge companies making money off these sorts of things, though I do think students should know what they're getting themselves into, especially if there are lower-cost alternatives that grant academic credit more easily and allow students to use their financial aid to cover some costs.  I'll admit some of the programs sound fun, though. 

I, too, would be interested in hearing from anyone who has participated, or knows students who have participated.

[scheherazade]

Are the Alexanders involved?

[namazu]

Not as far as I know!

http://www.envisionemi.com/ownership.asp

[notaprof]

I think Namazu is pretty much on target.  I have heard of this for several years with students excited that they have been nominated to some prestigious program and they often think they are receiving a fellowship or scholarship and are rather crestfallen when they learn the price - over $5000 for a two week trip.  The organization provides tips on how to "fund raise"  which is basically asking everyone you know to give you money for a trip and selling lemonade on the side.  Oh and they also provide a templated thank you letter the student can send to each of their "donors" so they don't even have to do that themselves.   None of my students has ever gone on the program.  

It may be an amazing and valid study abroad experience, I don't know.   I just think their marketing practices are misleading and they seem to pull their mailing list from something like the Who's Who "honorees".  I just checked their job listings and they are looking for a Faculty Advisor to lead a group of up to 80 students with requirements to be at least 21 and have a BA or the equivalent so judge for yourself.

[notaprof]

I must make a correction.  After further clicking I discovered that the Faculty Advisor positions could also be in charge of taking 12 elementary school "international scholars" on a similar trip.  It appears that your salary is airfare, room and board on the trip, but that is not clear.

There are also curriculum development positions open as well should anyone be so inclined.

[mountain_ivy]

The student's reaction is as described by notaprof:  excitement about acceptance to a prestigious program.  She's a wonderful young woman, but naive.  Thanks for your feedback.

[missemily]

I know a student who went to China through this organization. He had never been to China before and was thrilled with the experience, especially since the program was only minimally academic (no academic credit as well as I remember, and he had to write a paper and/or keep a journal).

Before the student accepted this invitation, his study abroad adviser contacted the organization and was given the names and phone numbers/email addresses of several students who had gone on the trips. They heard rave reviews from the students (of course, since they presumably were pre-screened).

One of the good things about the program is that the trips are divided into "delegations" on various disciplines -- business, music, etc. -- and the student gets to meet professionals who work in that discipline in the host country.

You should compare the costs and accommodations with similar study abroad opportunities, but, assuming the student can handle the price, this would be a good, safe introduction to international travel for the student who has not gone abroad.

[notaprof]

I know a student who went to China through this organization. He had never been to China before and was thrilled with the experience, especially since the program was only minimally academic (no academic credit as well as I remember, and he had to write a paper and/or keep a journal).

Before the student accepted this invitation, his study abroad adviser contacted the organization and was given the names and phone numbers/email addresses of several students who had gone on the trips. They heard rave reviews from the students (of course, since they presumably were pre-screened).

One of the good things about the program is that the trips are divided into "delegations" on various disciplines -- business, music, etc. -- and the student gets to meet professionals who work in that discipline in the host country.

You should compare the costs and accommodations with similar study abroad opportunities, but, assuming the student can handle the price, this would be a good, safe introduction to international travel for the student who has not gone abroad.

Most good study abroad programs provide a safe introduction to international travel for many students who have never been abroad.  $5000 is pretty expensive for two weeks in which no academic credit is involved.  I know of 6 week programs in China and other places that cost about the same and result in credit.  My daughter's semester long program in Spain didn't cost that much more than this.  Please do not call this a study abroad program.

[btphelps]

Envision EMI LLC provides administrative, marketing and management services to the International Scholar Laureate Program and at least three similar organizations, including the National Young Scholars Program, the Congressional Youth Leadership Council, and the National Youth Leadership Forum.

While the company markets its programs as targeted for high-achievers, it in fact rents marketing lists and conducts an aggressive postal and email marketing campaign.

As of March 2009, the Better Business Bureau of Metro Washington DC and Eastern Pennsylvania had revoked the company's accreditation because of "its failure to maintain the principles and standards required for accreditation" and the "number of complaints filed against business." The Better Business Bureau cited "problems encountered by attendees at its Presidential Inaugural Conference." In May 2009, a class action lawsuit was filed against the firm. The suit alleges that the company "solicited students all over the country to attend 'educational inaugural conferences' and promised exclusive access and tickets to witness the Presidential Inauguration on the Mall" and many other events and venues which it failed to deliver.