It can be very risky to send your children there
It is with deep alarm that I share my daughter’s experience with WEP in Varese, Italy, an organization that, despite presenting itself as a safe option for student programs abroad, demonstrated a severe lack of responsibility and preparedness to handle critical situations. Although my daughter ended the program happy and with a nice host family, the first half of her stay was traumatic, not so much because of the families she lived with, but because of the organization’s negligent response to the problems that arose.
First, my daughter was placed in a family with an extremely aggressive, unsafe, and violent environment. Despite presenting clear evidence of this situation, WEP ignored our concerns for a month and a half, forcing her to endure it and insinuating that she was the one with adaptation problems. Finally, they moved her to another family, but this time, the father began behaving inappropriately, attempting to seduce her. While I understand that the host families’ actions may be beyond the organization’s direct control, what was truly alarming was WEP’s response to these facts.
WEP consistently chose to blame my daughter, unjustly arguing that she was the one who could not integrate and had adaptation issues, placing her in a position of extreme vulnerability. My daughter had to face moments of anguish and loneliness, with no real support from the organization (they only do what they have to do for their own safety, but nothing more). Evidently, as is natural in a context of absolute solitude, in another country with such a different culture, my daughter became emotionally overwhelmed, which, combined with the organization’s absolute absence and indifference, forced me to visit her. After my departure, it was thanks to a friend of mine, who lives in the same place, that my daughter could find help, guidance, and emotional support to resolve the situation.
Evidently, my daughter received a reprimand for breaking the rules, which led me to send a written inquiry asking how we should proceed in the face of such omission, indifference, and insensitivity from the coordinator and the responsible parties regarding the situations and concerns we had reported. Obviously, I NEVER received a response.
The situation is clear: they have strict and determined rules for students and parents, but they do not offer solutions because they cannot deviate from their protocols, which are what matter. These protocols are surely drafted by lawyers to exempt them from any responsibility and protect themselves, sacrificing the emotional well-being of young people.
My daughter questioned the coordinator about her absence and lack of objectivity and analysis, which placed her in such a vulnerable situation by holding her responsible for things not working, and I must acknowledge that at least the coordinator’s attitude changed, but not the situation. This is precisely what led me to realize that these unchangeable protection protocols are what truly matter, despite the students
It is very easy to operate through a rigid procedural manual—anyone can do it—and that is why the people working there do not require the slightest knowledge of pedagogy or adolescent psychology, which is inadmissible and alarming, especially when working with teenagers. They only follow a manual, and that is why, when faced with serious situations like those my daughter experienced, they are not trained to respond adequately, nor beyond what their manual dictates, even if it harms the students.
This is not a complaint, but a serious warning to other parents. If you are lucky enough to end up with a good family, you will likely have no issues, but if not, WEP is not prepared to guarantee the safety and emotional well-being of the youth who trust them. If you are considering this organization for your children, please ensure they have the emotional tools, self-esteem, and personal security to face difficult situations, because with WEP, they will be alone and highly exposed, as the blame will always fall on the students and never on the organization or the families, even with evidence. Apologizing does not repair damages; it is better to be honest when selling your programs.