Astar Education Institute

December 29, 2014TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:We write in response to complaint ID [redacted] After careful and thorough review we submit the following explanation:The relationship of Astar Education Institute and the complainant, [redacted] (aka [redacted] ) is strictly a contractual one [redacted] contracted for, and was paid $per month to host an international student placed with her by our placement staffThe details and terms of this arrangement are clearly laid out in the Host Family Contract, a legally binding document, singed by [redacted] on August 14, 2014, a complete copy of which is available upon requestAmong the provisions in this contract are:Item #I understand and agree to the importance of maintaining clear and open communication with the student and therefore will provide the student with clearly articulated household rules which will be communicated to the student upon arrival.Item #) understand and agree that as a family support system I will encourage the student to participate in school and community activities and that I will provide or arrange for transportation to and from such activities and that I will provide or arrange transportation to and from such activities.Item # I understand and agree that the student requires safe and efficient transportation to and from school and that it is my responsibility to provide such transportation ur arrange for that transportation.Item #16, I understand and agree that my home will endure the wear and tear resulting from a transitional residentAny extraordinary property damage caused by the student will be reported to Astar, but invoiced to, and paid for by the student.As is evident here, it is the hosting family’s responsibility to make clear to the student the cleanliness standards in the home [redacted] states that she was surprised at the state of the room upon her inspection after the student departedIt can be argued that if there was such a high degree of concern with the cleanliness of the room, that it should have been monitored regularlyPerhaps if this had been done, the issues could have been addressed or even prevented, earlier on.The contract also clearly states that the hosting family should bring the student to school and to activities [redacted] did not provide transportation, or even arrange it, for this studentAs a result the student was forced to pay for taxicabs to and from school, and activitiesThe student and her parents felt that this cost should be deducted from [redacted] ’s demand.It is the case, that after consideration, the student and the student’s Family consented to pay [redacted] $over and above what had already been paid as hosting feesIt must be noted that Astar, as it states in the contract, is not responsible for reimbursement to host families under any circumstances.Astar feels it appropriate to note, however, that [redacted] does not provide any evidentiary proof that the damage in question was caused by the student; that is, there were no ‘before’ pictures offered by which any subsequent and alleged damage could be assessed.Of course, cleaning, for which [redacted] has submitted a $claim, after a transitional resident departs, is always the responsibility of the home owner.We remain unclear as to whether conversations between Astar staff and [redacted] actually took place as recounted by her, Astar has been placing international students in homes as their business for over ten years, and all staff members are well aware that extraordinary damages to a home, caused by the student, are paid for exclusively by the student/student's family, as the contract states.Thank you for your attention to this matter and for the opportunity to respond to this complaintIf there are any further questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact me.Sincerely, DrCandice Q Assistant Director Astar Education Institute

[To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the responseIf no reason is received your complaint will be closed Administratively Resolved] Complaint: [redacted] I am rejecting this response because: 1- I sent to Astar pictures of the interior and exterior of my house including pictures of the bedroom to be occupied by [redacted] as they request the images before the student moves in, so YES they knew everything was perfect and I had no damages in my house2-Mr P [redacted] from Astar upon seeing the pictures of the damages suggested that I should have called the police and placed a vandalism complaint report (thats how bad my house was) 3- [redacted] High School can be contacted to verify that the foster family is not under any obligation to provide transportation to school when theres a school bus, which we did haveThe few times [redacted] didnt take the bus was because she was not able to wake up in time because she insisted on staying up to and in the morning on social networksBesides that, I also took her to several Mall outings and friends houses etc on weekends which was not my obligation4-The agency knew she was a problematic student as Mr P [redacted] mentioned she had problems in all of the houses she passed and did damages on the houses as wellI also I have seen the pictures of children from one of the houses where she lived, placed on her [redacted] ...Do the parents even know? Is she ever capable of following rules and respecting the family where she is living, or, as Mr P [redacted] said she is " too sophisticated" ...to follow any rules5-If the foreign student is here to learn about american culture, how and what this student is learning is to vandalize people's houses and get away with that being AIDED by Astar6- I DID mention several times to her and to agency about her dirty room, and even sent to Astar a picture of the filthy room during the time she was still living hereI tried sending all the batches of pictures to Revdex.com but it crashed the system, so please advice if necessary,and I will send7- [redacted] texted me saying that her parents had already paid the agency (about over one month ago) dollars to Astar for the damages to my houseShe wanted to know if I received the payment from Astar , which I did not8-As a matter of principle I wont accept the $ Astar is offeringthey placed a bad element in my house, which I drove all over Connecticut to get uniforms in Waterbury CT, from airport in NY and to outings per each weekendIf they are in the US they have to abide by our code of ethics and business conduct and not lie and try to outsmart people out of whats righteously theirs Regards, [redacted]

March 27, I received your letter dated March 25, today, I am surprised [redacted] does not receive the second check I mailed out March 6, after [redacted] told me she did not receive the first check we mailed to her on Feb13, [redacted] , when [redacted] told me she did not receive the $check we cut and mailed out on Feb13, I called our bank and did stop payment (see the bank stop payment confirmation)I called [redacted] and asked her does she have an account with [redacted] , [redacted] ***, [redacted] or [redacted] ***Those banks have branches in ManassasIf she has an account with those banks I prefer she gives me her account numberI can deposit the $to her account [redacted] told me she does not have an account with those banksSo, I verified her mailing address with her and mailed the new check to her on March I told her check is mailed out; she shall receive it around March If she received the check, please give me a callAround March 11, I did a follow up call [redacted] did not pick up the callI left a message and asked her call me back or send an email if she receives the checkShe did not callI thought she received the check [redacted] , I feel something is wrong in this caseWe mail out 50+ host family fees each monthSome time, a few payments will lost in the mailBut two checks to the same family are lost in a row that kind of thing never happens [redacted] , the $is the compensation money we got from the studentWe want to pass the money to [redacted] Since mailing to [redacted] ’s address is so unreliable, I will cut a $check payable to [redacted] and mail it to your officeCould you help me to mail the check to [redacted] Astar Education Institute

[To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the responseIf no reason is received your complaint will be closed Administratively Resolved]
Complaint: ***
I am rejecting this response because:
From: *** *** ***Date: Wed, Mar 18, at 5:PMSubject: Re: You have a new message from the Revdex.com of Metro Washington DC & Eastern Pennsylvania in regards to your complaint #***.To: [email protected], ***@myRevdex.com.org
Dear ** ***,There was no option to reply from the opened linkThe business Astar Institute, did not send me the check as promisedEvery time I call, it is either in the mail, or cancelled and placed once again in the mail, and every time I have to email my address to them again and againThank you
Regards,
*** ***

March 27, 2015
I received your letter dated March 25, 2015 today, I am surprised [redacted] does not receive the second check I mailed out March 6, 2015 after [redacted] told me she did not receive the first check we mailed to her on Feb. 13, 2015.
[redacted], when [redacted] told me she did not receive the $350 check we cut and mailed out on Feb. 13, I called our bank and did stop payment (see the bank stop payment confirmation).
I called [redacted] and asked her does she have an account with [redacted], [redacted], [redacted] or [redacted]. Those banks have branches in Manassas. If she has an account with those banks I prefer she gives me her account number. I can deposit the $350 to her account. [redacted] told me she does not have an account with those banks. So, I verified her mailing address with her and mailed the new check to her on March 6. I told her check is mailed out; she shall receive it around March 10. If she received the check, please give me a call.
Around March 11, I did a follow up call. [redacted] did not pick up the call. I left a message and asked her call me back or send an email if she receives the check. She did not call. I thought she received the check.
[redacted], I feel something is wrong in this case. We mail out 50+ host family fees each month. Some time, a few payments will lost in the mail. But two checks to the same family are lost in a row that kind of thing never happens.
[redacted], the $350 is the compensation money we got from the student. We want to pass the money to [redacted]. Since mailing to [redacted]’s address is so unreliable, I will cut a $350 check payable to [redacted] and mail it to your office. Could you help me to mail the check to [redacted].
Astar Education Institute

December 29, 2014TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:We write in response to complaint ID [redacted]. After careful and thorough review we submit the following explanation:The relationship of Astar Education Institute and the complainant, [redacted] (aka [redacted]) is strictly a...

contractual one. [redacted] contracted for, and was paid $1000 per month to host an international student placed with her by our placement staff. The details and terms of this arrangement are clearly laid out in the Host Family Contract, a legally binding document, singed by [redacted] on August 14, 2014, a complete copy of which is available upon request. Among the provisions in this contract are:Item #10. I understand and agree to the importance of maintaining clear and open communication with the student and therefore will provide the student with clearly articulated household rules which will be communicated to the student upon arrival.Item #) 1. 1 understand and agree that as a family support system I will encourage the student to participate in school and community activities and that I will provide or arrange for transportation to and from such activities and that I will provide or arrange transportation to and from such activities.Item #12  I understand and agree that the student requires safe and efficient transportation to and from school and that it is my responsibility to provide such transportation ur arrange for that transportation.Item #16, I understand and agree that my home will endure the normal wear and tear resulting from a transitional resident. Any extraordinary property damage caused by the student will be reported to Astar, but invoiced to, and paid for by the student.As is evident here, it is the hosting family’s responsibility to make clear to the student the cleanliness standards in the home. [redacted] states that she was surprised at the state of the room upon her inspection after the student departed. It can be argued that if there was such a high degree of concern with the cleanliness of the room, that it should have been monitored regularly. Perhaps if this had been done, the issues could have been addressed or even prevented, earlier on.The contract also clearly states that the hosting family should bring the student to school and to activities. [redacted] did not provide transportation, or even arrange it, for this student. As a result the student was forced to pay for taxicabs to and from school, and activities. The student and her parents felt that this cost should be deducted from [redacted]’s demand.It is the case, that after consideration, the student and the student’s Family consented to pay [redacted] $300 over and above what had already been paid as hosting fees. It must be noted that Astar, as it states in the contract, is not responsible for reimbursement to host families under any circumstances.Astar feels it appropriate to note, however, that [redacted] does not provide any evidentiary proof that the damage in question was caused by the student; that is, there were no ‘before’ pictures offered by which any subsequent and alleged damage could be assessed.Of course, cleaning, for which [redacted] has submitted a $150 claim, after a transitional resident departs, is always the responsibility of the home owner.We remain unclear as to whether conversations between Astar staff and [redacted] actually took place as recounted by her, Astar has been placing international students in homes as their business for over ten years, and all staff members are well aware that extraordinary damages to a home, caused by the student, are paid for exclusively by the student/student's family, as the contract states.Thank you for your attention to this matter and for the opportunity to respond to this complaint. If there are any further questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact me.Sincerely,
Dr. Candice Q
Assistant Director
Astar Education Institute

[To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the response. If no reason is received your complaint will be closed Administratively Resolved]
 Complaint: [redacted]
I am rejecting this response because:
1- I sent to Astar pictures of the interior and exterior of my house including pictures of the bedroom to be occupied by [redacted] as they request the images before the student moves in, so YES  they knew everything was perfect and  I had no damages in my house.
2-Mr P[redacted] from Astar upon seeing the pictures of  the  damages  suggested that I should have called the police and placed a vandalism complaint report (thats how  bad my house was)
3-  [redacted] High  School can be contacted to verify  that the foster family is not under any obligation to provide transportation  to school when  theres a school bus, which we did  have. The few times [redacted] didnt take  the bus was  because she was not able to wake up in time because she insisted on staying up to  2 and 4 in the morning on social networks. Besides that, I also took her to several Mall outings and friends houses etc on weekends which was not my obligation.
4-The agency knew she was a problematic student as Mr P[redacted] mentioned she had problems in all of the houses she passed  and did damages on the houses as well. I also I have seen the pictures of children from one of the houses  where she lived, placed on her [redacted]...Do the parents even know? Is she ever capable of following rules and respecting the family where she is living, or, as Mr P[redacted] said she is " too sophisticated" ...to follow any rules.
5-If the foreign student  is here to  learn about  american culture, how and what this student is learning is to vandalize people's  houses and get  away with that being  AIDED  by Astar.
6- I DID mention several times to her and to agency about  her dirty room, and even  sent to Astar a picture of the filthy room during the time she was still living here. I tried sending all the batches of pictures to Revdex.com but it crashed the system, so please  advice if necessary,and I will send.
7- [redacted] texted me  saying that her parents had already paid the agency (about over one month ago)  350 dollars to Astar for the damages to my house. She wanted to know if I received the payment from Astar , which I did not.
8-As a matter of principle I wont accept the $ 300.00 Astar is offering. they placed a bad element in my house, which I drove all over Connecticut to get uniforms in Waterbury CT, from  airport in NY and to 3 outings per each weekend. If they are in the US they have to abide by our code of ethics and business conduct and not lie and try to  outsmart people out of whats righteously theirs.
Regards,
[redacted]