Int'l Educational Agency Not Doing Its Job

[a786363567]

I'm an international student currently in 11th grade in a private school in Virginia. The agency was supposed to ensure my safety while giving me a holistic American high school experience, but I feel like being put under house arrest because they don't allow me to get a driver's license or a car, and I have to file a request for everything I do outside of the host family 7 days in advance and many times they refuse my requests (I did sign a contract but I didn't know transportation would be this much of an issue over here that I would need a car).

They say that they do it out of concerns for my safety but they are only trying to cover their own backs. I've offered to sign a waiver for driving but they said that it wouldn't help and they were looking into ways to let me drive, but five months have passed and when I ask for answers they always stall.
Also, the school is on the side of the agency and tries to cover its back.

Can I sue them for nationality discrimination and is there any other way?

 

[FlyingRon]

You've certainly assimilated the American teen's whiny self-entitlement. No it is not discrimination and no you can not sue anybody.

 

[CdwJava]

Do you have a valid driver's license in your home country?

Do you have the money to purchase, maintain, and insure a car?

Are you old enough to legally enter into a contract for insurance or to legally purchase a car? (In other words, are you 18 or older? ... I'm guessing not since you are in 11th grade.)

You do not have a RIGHT to have a car or any other transportation. Even American kids don't have the right to a car in 11th grade and often have to rely on friends, bikes, or even their feet to get to where they want to go. It's not "house arrest" because you do not want to get off your butt and walk, take public transit, or call a friend for a lift.

 

[a786363567]

The circumstances don't allow me to do things any other way.

Do you have a valid driver's license in your home country?

Do you have the money to purchase, maintain, and insure a car?

Are you old enough to legally enter into a contract for insurance or to legally purchase a car? (In other words, are you 18 or older? ... I'm guessing not since you are in 11th grade.)

You do not have a RIGHT to have a car or any other transportation. Even American kids don't have the right to a car in 11th grade and often have to rely on friends, bikes, or even their feet to get to where they want to go. It's not "house arrest" because you do not want to get off your butt and walk, take public transit, or call a friend for a lift.

Thanks for replying me!

I currently live in a very small town here in America, in a home with people who were strangers to me a year ago, so I don't think that I am a spoiled, self-entitled person. The circumstances don't allow me to do things any other way. There's no public transportation within 30 min of walking distance. I can't call any friends for lifts because the agency requires me to submit a request 7 days in advance for everything, and it does a background check on the person who will give me a ride and it takes 2 weeks. My school is an hour away for a school bus. I take a lot of leadership roles and other responsibilities at school so that's why I need a car. I am a very proactive person and back in my home country, I would get on public transit and go somewhere that's 3 hours out, but this circumstance does not even provide me the chance to accomplish anything.

So is there no way that I could deal with the school and the int'l agency to find a solution?

Thanks!

 

[cbg]

Does your contract/agreement entitle you to a car and/or the right to drive? Specifically? In so many words?

 

[a786363567]

Does your contract/agreement entitle you to a car and/or the right to drive? Specifically? In so many words?

The contract states that a student in this program is not allowed to obtain a learner's permit or a driver's license and is not allowed to drive any vehicle, but it doesn't say what the consequences of disobeying. I don't know if they have the authority to do so though?

 

[cbg]

Oh, you may rest assured that they have the authority. There's this little thing called liability. Also that as a minor, you cannot sign a binding waiver. Also that even a citizen of the US does not, at your age, have an entitlement to drive/a car.

Since not only does the agreement/contract not entitle you to a car/driver but expressly states that you may not, your original thesis - that the agency is not doing its job - is flawed. They are, in fact, doing exactly what they are supposed to do; adhering to the agreement.

 

[I'mTheFather]

It appears that Virginia would require you to hold a learner's permit for 9 months anyway, so that wouldn't do you much good.

 

[CdwJava]

Thanks for replying me!

I currently live in a very small town here in America, in a home with people who were strangers to me a year ago, so I don't think that I am a spoiled, self-entitled person.

My wife's family was host to foreign exchange students when she was younger, and we have assisted friends who have also been hosts. And we are also in a small town. So, I am familiar with the issue.

As for being self-centered, anyone can be - but, teenagers tend to be so by nature, so it's natural.

The circumstances don't allow me to do things any other way. There's no public transportation within 30 min of walking distance. I can't call any friends for lifts because the agency requires me to submit a request 7 days in advance for everything, and it does a background check on the person who will give me a ride and it takes 2 weeks.

What program are you here through? This is not how it's done through the programs I am familiar with. This is ... odd.

My school is an hour away for a school bus. I take a lot of leadership roles and other responsibilities at school so that's why I need a car. I am a very proactive person and back in my home country, I would get on public transit and go somewhere that's 3 hours out, but this circumstance does not even provide me the chance to accomplish anything.

That's fine. But, you still need to have a valid driver's license and MONEY to purchase and maintain a vehicle and insurance and you have not indicated that is the case.

So is there no way that I could deal with the school and the int'l agency to find a solution?

You can ask, beg, cajole, and even seek alternative options. It may be that there is no good solution.

And after reading the subsequent posts, it seems that you agreed to the terms when you accepted this exchange program. It's unfortunate, and I would hope that the host family would find a way to get you where you need to be, but they appear to be abiding by the terms of the agreement. And in the US liability is a HUUUUUGE issue, so there is probably no way you can get a license or a vehicle while you are here and still a minor.

 

[a786363567]

My wife's family was host to foreign exchange students when she was younger, and we have assisted friends who have also been hosts. And we are also in a small town. So, I am familiar with the issue.

As for being self-centered, anyone can be - but, teenagers tend to be so by nature, so it's natural.


What program are you here through? This is not how it's done through the programs I am familiar with. This is ... odd.


That's fine. But, you still need to have a valid driver's license and MONEY to purchase and maintain a vehicle and insurance and you have not indicated that is the case.


You can ask, beg, cajole, and even seek alternative options. It may be that there is no good solution.

And after reading the subsequent posts, it seems that you agreed to the terms when you accepted this exchange program. It's unfortunate, and I would hope that the host family would find a way to get you where you need to be, but they appear to be abiding by the terms of the agreement. And in the US liability is a HUUUUUGE issue, so there is probably no way you can get a license or a vehicle while you are here and still a minor.

OK... Thank you!

 

[OHRoadwarrior]

Your host parents are not required to aid you. Your organization likely has rules banning this, due to protecting your safety and the programs reputation. None of your rights are being violated. I know it sucks because a friend, who is now a lawyer in Germany, was in YFU and his parents became friends with the host parents and allowed him to obtain a DL and use their car while in the US, so he could attend school functions etc as part of his experience.