You are here
Gateway Students Catch a Break
When Gateway21 announced that it was bankrupt, there was talk of students already studying abroad having to return home due to Gateway stopping payments to overseas schools. Some students appear to have caught a break:
A Canadian language school chain said Friday it will not charge tuition to Japanese customers hung out to dry by the bankruptcy of school broker Gateway21 Co.
Subject to the benefit are about 160 students already studying English and French at 13 member schools in the British Columbia-based Languages Canada Association.
The Japanese students had paid Gateway21 the equivalent of 500,000 Canadian dollars in tuition, but none of it has been sent to the Canadian association due to the financial plight of the Japanese broker, association officials said.
Most of the 160 students paid the company to arrange three-month study abroad programs for them at the Canadian schools. Some of them wre paid up through August 2009.
A lot of students are of course wondering where that half a million dollars actually went.
Comments
on an interview on TV last week, a former employee of the company talked about things such as:
-A couple of villas paid for by the company for the President's exclusive use.
-Expensive overseas trips taken by the President for business purposes but apparently very little business was done. All travel was first class at expensive hotels.
-Meetings held outside the office at expensive restaurants. The tab was of course picked up by the company.
-The President had a chauffer driven car for his use at anytime.
The guy also mentioned that the President couldn't speak English despite the fact he was supposed to be drumming up business for the company on his overseas 'business' trips.
Anyway, this was the kind of stuff mentioned in the interview last week.
Just another company president on a power trip, pissin away money like it grows on trees. Yah, shit goes down everywhere, but holy $hit it seems like scandals/corruption in the business world happens as often here as suicide bombings occur in the Middle East!
Japan is actually in the top 20 most transparent nations in thw world. The reason why you hear about corruption here is because the powers that be highlight it.
Just so you think I'm not making it up, lets pick another developed country...
Uh, I can't think of one, so Britain will have to do.
Here's links to show that Britain too, has corruption issues..
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/sep/24/11
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/sc20061003a1.html
Saying stuff like Japan is especially corrupt just makes you sound like yet another bigoted and ill informed foreigner. Or is that your intention?
Bankruptcy and corruption are different things. If you don't believe me check your dictionary, (you lazy, fat, smelly gaijin, lol).
Hey you, know it all, talking about corruption in Japan, whether it exists or not in the UK, is not bigoted, nor does in suggest one is misinformed.
Next thing you will be saying, it is racist to point out the problems with racism in Japan, because there is racism everywhere, and therefore the subject is taboo, and must be ignored.
Japan has major issues with corruption, particularly on the political front, and discussion about is healthy and normal.
Criticism of Japan is not criticising your existence in Japan.
A lot of nutters doing time in Japan, overly sensitive (since, especially when they are “teaching” English, they know they are essentially frittering away and wasting time) interpret criticism of Japan as being personal criticism. It really is quite a whacko macko phenomenon.
unlike you, I won't be predicting what YOU'll be saying next. What gets me, besides your hilariously pointless 'anonymity', is that people who come here, as guests, are extremely rude to their hosts, in a way that would definitely get Japanese people a smack in the mouth, if they behaved the same way, in oh, I don't know.... Canada?
As our Lord said, "physician, heal thyself" (Luke 4:23)
You got my intention completely wrong, as, even though you obviously fancy yourself as someone with sixth sense, telling me what I'll be saying next, you are not very perceptive at all, even with the acknowledged 5. I find it incredibly rude to diss your hosts, especially when you're a guest, and doubly especially, when they could accuse you of much worse.
Alot of nutters ARE doing time in Japan, aren't they, fellow poster?
.....DOH!!!!
I don’t know what you are talking about. I’m not anonymous. My name is Rumpole.
Why would people be extremely rude to their “hosts”?
In Canada, if you go out of your way to people in boxes, on shelves, as a consequence of their race, you run the risk of getting a smack in the mouth.
A “guest”? Curious language, I must say.
Most foreign nationals in Japan, particularly in the eikaiwa world, are not “guests” – they are legal workers, who are supposed to be afforded the full protection and rights of workers, as defined by Japanese labour law.
The bottom line is, the reason that many people “diss” the Japanese is because the Japanese ask for it, with all their xenophobic bullshit, two faced crap, and double standards.
Meantime, please continue being polite, and kissing Japanese ass. Thousands have before you, and thousands more will, but most wake up sooner or later, and realise an ass is full of shit, and is thus not worth kissing.
"The bottom line is, the reason that many people “diss” the Japanese is because the Japanese ask for it, with all their xenophobic bullshit, two faced crap, and double standards"
Back off guys. This is obviously a dude who knows his stuff. Fuck. Glad I didn't get into a piss fight with this quality act.
I'm...truly impressed.
P.S. Been in Japan a long time, seen about half dozen fights, J vs West and I've NEVER seen a westerner win, so it perhaps it is best that all the negativity and nastiness stays in places like this, because it can be pretty embarrassing watching fellow foreigners have a glass of beer, get all pissy with a local, and fight like girls, before being relieved of their front teeth. Yup, here is the best place, for folks like youse.
That's quite a hit the Canadian schools are taking. Actually a double hit, as it looks like they got significant proportion of their students from Gateway and will have to find another agent.
jon
If you are not predicting what I am doing next, Anon, you are telling me how I behave around my Japanese hosts. You are completely deluded.
All these 'rights' etc. that you think you can just walk in and demand might be one reason you're not getting the most out of your J-Experience, which you're clearly not, otherwise you wouldn't be on these threads. With 'rights' come 'responsibilities', so if you want to pay higher rates of taxes, social insurance, have a boss who never lets you go home before cock crow, good luck, in demanding your rights!
Next comment please. You'll probably start off with some stunninglassly crass and misguided assertion, as usual, like "the trouble with you Sterile Lithuanian gypsies...is that you always complain about the quality of cotton...." which should provide me with a chuckle again, cheers
On the bright side, the Japanese students by whom these schools did right, will carry back a very good word for Canada.
Japan has major problems with regards to corruption. Japan has major problems with regards to racism. Discussion about both topics is healthy, normal, and encouraged, unless of course, you are Rumpole, who knows everything, and thinks that the mere mention of the subject, means you are an ignorant bigot.
Enjoy your "hosts" you stupid, insipid, boring little dickhead. At least you don't have to do over-time. What do you want? A gold medal? Pfft!
Yep, make sure you never “diss” them Japanese, cause if you get in a fight, you will get your head punched in, and this clever old timer bar fly has seen it happen 6 times, so hey, be warned. The key is to accept that you are a “guest”, and put up with everything and anything that you encounter, courtesy of your hosts. Remember, this is Japan, and not your country, and additionally, remember at all times the importance of keeping your front teeth (them Japanese will smack them out) - any negative impact on your capacity to be an English regurgitating parrot in an Eikaiwa factory must be avoided – good, crisp, clean pronunciation is so much more difficult without your front teeth.
as a hotbed of corruption and racism seems very blinkered. Are YOU racist, or just plain stupid? Loads of countries, including your own have such problems. What a stupid, odious creep you are. Does it make you feel good about your pathetic life, you no mark?
Did you even read the post, idiot? So, if you live in Japan, and you are concerned about corruption and racism in Japan, if we follow your way, we are only allowed to talk about the subjects on a non-nation specific global scale?
You goody two shoes politically correct dumb ass !!!
There are issues of corruption and racism that are actually highly specific to Japan, and the more it is talked about, and possible solutions are debated and discussed, the better, for all concerned.
Well, since fascists exist in every country, and there are fascist elements to so many existing governments, I still can’t believe that people still talk about Nazi Germany. Talk about ignorant. I hate bigots.
Just the other day, I was listening to a Japanese historian talk about Japanese atrocities during the Second World War, and how and why those shockingly cruel acts occurred, and the lessons that should be learned, and preventative measures that have, can, and should still be taken to prevent the same happening again.
She was linking the subject to various cultural attributes that still exist in Japan today, although not on the same scale.
I just about smacked her in the teeth.
How dare she? What an ignoramus ! Doesn’t she know what is happening in Iran?
How dare she single out her very own Japan for open discussion and debate relative to such a topic. How dare she even raise the topic of Japan’s deep and dark history! The rotten, low life bitch!
Seriously, I was flabbergasted.
I called her a moron, and then went back to my cage, to serve up my English burgers, because I am all about international friendliness and co-operation, for a peaceful future, and am a specialist in humanitarian studies. Hear no evil, speak no evil, see no evil. Yup, that’s me.
I like to talk about hobbies, and pizzas, in the most part (and I get paid for it), and so should that sour faced, bitter bitch.
that you are neither racist nor stupid. Japanese people need to address it, not you - you want to sort out another countries' problems - sign up for Iraq!
Personally, I think you could address your own (mental and self image) problems, first, you arrogant blowhard! Stop projecting them.
I think Martin Luther King should have kept his arrogant blowhard mouth shut, and should have eaten humble pie, since the problems he tried to address were not unique to the USA. And let's face it, him and his lot always had the option to stop the bitching, and go back to Mother Land Africa.
For those living in Japan, and who have an great interest in Japan, but are not naturalised Japanese, well,keep your opinions to yourself, shut your cake holes, and let the Japanese deal with it, in their own way.
Above all, talking about pizzas and hobbies is easier. You want an easier life, don't you? Plenty of talk about pizzas and hobbies in Japan, and wait, there is more, you get paid for it!
I'm really sorry.
I had no idea that I was addressing Virtual Japan's answer to Martin Luther King.
I take back everything I said. I just didn't fully understand the magnitude of your mission, and just thought you were a trouble causer.
I hope you reach the promised land. I might not make it there with you, but give my regards to Martin Luther King, Gd, and Jesus, next time they Reveal Divine things upon you.
I wish you the very best of luck, Brother/Sister Anonymous, in your Strivin's.
No, you thought you were just addressing another foreigner, who you would like to accept Japan “as is” without question, and who you would like to shut-up and do the pizza lessons, and never say boo about any of the aspects of Japan, that are not covered in cherry blossom petals.
I’m sorry too. I’m sorry for disturbing your floral oriental sushi dung fantasy.
I’m also sorry for addressing my fundamental rights as a human being by saying what I think, and that is that corruption and racism in Japan exists, and it is quite ok to specifically discuss it, rather than sweeping it under the carpet simply because you are not a pure blood Japanese person, or that is exists outside the boarders of Japan.
Dude, I hear you. You see a lot of that stuff over here. Some pretty damn weird kinky shit goes down behind closed doors in Japan, let me tell you.
Hey, been around Japan a long time, seen a lot.
Even seen that FOSD fantasy stuff around the traps, tucked away in a couple of bars, hidden away up lonely alley-ways.
Here is my advice. You come across that FOSD fantasy stuff, you keep your mouth shout, and you keep walkin.
Seen many a Westerner caring to comment, and get all dissy with the Japanese over it in the process, saying shit like “you filthy perverted bastard”, only to then fight like a baby, and get their teeth punched out on the sidewalk.
Shut your eyes to it. Better still, better you pretend, that FOSD stuff does not even exist. You just keep on walkin, like you never even saw it.
PS: Like I said, pssst, been round a long time, in the know. You got to take it easy here, and play it cool.
I saw a snack bar the other night called "Dirty Sanchez". I kept my mouth shut, and just kept on walking by, no comment made. I ain't going be another one of them Westerner's to get his teeth punched out, no way! Thanks for the tip.
What are you talking about?
Japanese men are all childish, arrogant, spoilt, noisy mommies boys!
I have never SEEN a Japanese man that looked like he could punch even my girlfriends teeth out!
Have you seen Japanese men fight? Its like when girls fight in bars back home- lots of posturing, name calling, and then a slap and scratching competition.
Hiya,
I'm looking for fresh young new fighting talent - you obviously know what it takes to be a hard case... don't posture, call names, scratch or slap.
"Japanese men are all childish, arrogant, spoilt, noisy mommies boys!"
Yeah, so were the Kray twins.
I talk tough on the internet, so that makes me tough in real life! Oh, hell yeah!
Let me share somethin’ with you sonny.
Been here a long time.
You might have heard of me, cause a lot of newbies call me “School”, as in, “Old School”.
Yep, proud to say, as far as Japan goes, I’m on old timer, an old hand from way back.
Know a few tricks. Seen a lot of stuff.
Seen a lot of people come and go.
Seen a lot of people think they know it all, only to be proved wrong.
Seen a lot of Westerners get in a scrap with the Japanese, only to get their teeth kicked in.
When you have been round as long as I have, you learn to play it cool, and you learn to understand, Japan has two sides.
What you see on the surface, and what exists underneath, are often very different.
You gotta play it cool here. Call it a matter of survival.
Dude, I hear you, it is a jungle out there in Japan. Stay safe. Watch your back. Oh yeah.
How sad for all those people who stay paltry year or two and never see any of that dangerous underside you are so familiar with here. Poor unfortunates they must be. Perhaps they hurry home due to boredom with barely a clue how much jolly good fighting they've missed out on.
jon
The old timers all know the score. You gotta be Old School, to know the real Japan.
You flip around a couple of years, shootin the breeze, you ain’t seen nothin!
There’s a lot of heavy stuff that goes down in Japan, and best not to even think about, let alone, talk about it.
You just keep your head low, pay no attention to it.
Enjoy what you can, and try to make somethin out of the rough and tumble that forms the unseen reality of Japan.
I seen a lot of stuff. Stuff that would make the blood of a newbie curdle. Nasty stuff. Bad stuff.
Walk, don’t talk, and above all, keep your cool.
design beauty site and also provided good content.
Mr Saruhashi, we don't care about your latest business venture. Please leave us alone.
It's a saddening plight for Japanese students. They don't deserve such. These kids are sacrificing time and money to get quality education and yet, some greedy arses are splurging on their money. Such a shame.
Add new comment