UK-based students vent anger at PH agency

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - More Filipino students are coming out to complain against Kirsten Student Development Inc., a Philippine-based consultancy agency that gave advice to applicants on how to secure a student visa in the UK.

These students contacted ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau to vent their anger against Kirsten, which promised to talk to the UK colleges and assist the students with their ad hoc requirements in getting the student visa. The students shelled out up to $7,000 to Kirsten for this service.

But what attracted the students to Kirsten was the opportunity for them to work in the UK while studying.

They were promised to be given on-the-job-training with pay, but these jobs came later than anticipated. Many were left with no job or money to finance their education in the UK.

This is the root cause of rage among the students in Birmingham.

“Napakalaking gamble noon sa amin na ang laki-laki ng binayad namin tapos wala naman (trabaho). Akala namin pagdating dito okay. Yun pala, yung mga sinabi niyang trabaho, di naman totoo,” said John, the designated spokesperson of the students.

He was earlier interviewed by ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau on the same issue.

Aurora Amelig came to the UK in 2008 as a student, also getting the visa through Kirsten. After only 3 months, Amelig and her fellow students found out the college where they were enrolled in suddenly went into liquidation and was forced to close down.

Around a hundred Filipino students were affected by the sudden closure of Affinity College. Amelig said, as a consultancy agency trusted to choose a reputable college for them, Kristen failed to do its job.

They were not able to refund their tuition fees and were left to look for another another college. When some students were unsuccessful, they were deported.

What also irked them was the indifference of the consultancy agency that sold to them the idea of earning enough to fund their own education. The students also did not get any assistance from Kirsten, when they faced challenges of living in the UK.

“Wala man lang letter from Kirsten saying na ito ang gagawin at mag-enrol kayo sa isang school which is an affiliate. We did not receive any assistance from them, to think na 3 buwan pa lang naman kami sa England,” said Amelig.

She further explained: “Kung kamag-anak mo at anak mo ang pinapunta mo dito para mag-struggle, I doubt kung papupuntahin mo pa siya. Kunsiyensya na lang. May mga estudyante na nagbayad ng napakalaki. Baka binenta pa ang lahat ng ari-arian sa Pilipinas. Tapos maghihirap sila dito.”

Kirsten denies allegations

In a phone interview with ABS-CBN News Manila, Kirsten denied all the allegations.

Maridee Basco, president of Kirsten, said they neither duped the students nor promised them work.

“Hiindi po kami nanloloko. We are very transparent here. Lagi nila akong kaharap, lagi nila akong nakakausap. May meeting every time na may issue sa UK. Nung naipit file nila sa embassy for 10 months, bakit di sila nagreklamo na linuloko sila? Bakit nung may 3-year visa, saka sila magco-complain? If you are not satisfied, don't go to UK. Dito pa lang, stop na,” Basco said.

She reiterated that Kirsten did not promise work.

“Di po ako nangangako ng trabaho. Hindi ito work-permit. Itong sinasabing trabaho ay pinaka-OJT with pay sa mga carehomes. Nagkataon na may bayad ito based on their rate,” she said.

Basco also explained that Kirsten charged different fees for students, but did not say if the tuition was included in the payment.

“Nag-increase po, nagbayad na sila $3,000, merong $4,000. After last year, na-inform magdadala ng additional because the course is different,” said Basco.

The students insisted that Kirsten made them believe that the $7,000 fees cover part of their tuition in the UK college.

Regarding assistance to students in the UK, Kristen was adamant that it is the responsibility of the trainer and the UK college.

Some students believe Kirsten and the UK college colluded to cover up the lapses of each other.

“Malaki ang posibilidad na may sabwatan sila kasi ang eskuwelan nagkukunwari na wala silang alam sa binayaran. Kasi yung mga binayaran namin na supposed to be for tuition fee, wala naman daw nakarating sa eskuwelahan,” said John.

UK College defends itself

Kirsten facilitated the UK visas of the Filipino students for a 3-year Level 3 National Certificate Care and Management course under Quality Care Solutions Ltd or Wave Training Ltd.

When contacted by ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau, Wave Training categorically denied that there is any collusion with Kirsten in providing "false hopes" or advertisement as the students alleged.

Gail Porter, Interim General Manager of Wave Training Limited explained in a letter that "there is not, and never has been any collusion between Wave and Kirsten in an attempt to cover up the 'wrong information'.”

Porter also explained that the students signed an agreement that outlines the responsibilities and obligations of each party.

“All learners were issued with details of the course and requirements in their visa letters and have signed a Learners' Agreement. This agreement in brief sets out the level of tuition fees payable to Wave and the expected behaviors of each student. Copies of the agreements were supplied to Kirsten and some students signed the Learners Agreement before leaving the Philippines,” said Porter.

Porter also added: ‘We are not privy to the exact detail of Kirsten’s communication with each individual student. When examples of false information have been brought to our attention we have immediately responded to agents to address this."

The company likewise clarified that it did not shirk from its responsibilities to the students in making them aware of the fees they needed to pay, particularly tuition fees.

‘We at Wave did our utmost to ensure that all students were aware, even before they left the Philippines, that there would be tuition fees to pay to the college and indeed what the payments would be. These overseas tuition fees charged by Wave are between £2000 - £6000 per year, less than fees charged by other colleges/universities,” said Porter.

Because of the complaints against Kirsten received by Wave, the college is not dealing with Kirsten in the future.

“Notice was previously served to Kirsten of our intention to discontinue working with them following the enrolment of the final batch of students by email and by letter earlier in 2011,” stated Porter.

Angry students

The students are still angry because they believe they have been duped.

John, on behalf of fellow students at Birmingham, has a message for Kirsten: “Tigilan na niya ang panloloko niya. Kasi sa puntong ito bisto na siya. Siya na ang sinungaling, siya pa yung mayabang”.

Amelig is appealing to Filipino students to delay their plans to study and work in the UK, and wait for the UK economy to improve.

“It’s too expensive here at naka-student visa ka lang. First thing, you don’t have work. Kahit mga British citizen hirap kumuha ng 35 hours of work sa sarili nilang bansa, so how much more ang foreigners,” she said. - ABS CBN: