EF language abroad, Rome Italy

Ratings
Overall
1
Instruction: 1
Support: 1
Fun: 1
Housing: 1
Value: 1
Review

Advisor was always available, until I signed my 17 yr old daughter up. After that, I could not reach her by phone, email or even by scheduling a phone appointment online. She completely “ghosted” me and my husband. I called EF 800 number to talk to someone else and they would not talk to me, only transfer me to our advisor which would go straight to her voicemail.
Host family was horrible to my daughter. And since the advisor wouldn’t answer my calls, there was nothing I could do, short of moving her into an Airbnb. My daughter was getting badly bitten by mosquitoes every night in her bedroom. Host wouldn’t allow my daughter to close the window or use a small fan. Host threatened my daughter she’d charge her for electricity because my daughter would use a flat iron to straighten her hair. My daughters bedroom door didn’t lock, nor did the bath door, host would walk in without knocking. Host would dictate when my daughter could shower, which would throw her schedule off. Host would talk about my daughter to the other EF student in Spanish and complain that my daughter is messy and doesn’t help. Host yelled at my daughter for 2 drops of water on the hard floor that dripped from her leaving the shower to her bedroom. My daughter was uncomfortable and in tears nightly, and again the advisor was not responding to me at all. EF enrollment form said they would give free weekend activity if you referred a friend who booked, we provided all the proof, but never received anything. My daughter said she is learning more Spanish in Italy, because her host family speaks Spanish. The teachers at the campus; some are okay but giving instructions in Italian to a student that speaks 0 Italian isn’t helpful. My daughter who is a high honor straight A student, was frustrated and confused most the time. Don’t waste your money on EF Language Abroad. The advisor who I was in un-lucky to end up with should be fired. Her initials are M.M and her last name rhymes with tarr.

Would you recommend this program?
No, I would not
Year Completed
2023
Private Note to Provider (optional)
Your advisors communication was horrible. Madelyn Marr did not answer my calls emails and would not even honor the phone appointments I booked. My daughter referred one friend who booked language abroad in Korea with EF and the advisor never honored the free weekend activity that was promised on the enrollment form. My daughters host was a nightmare and Madelyn did nothing. I did share photos of my daughter in Rome on social media and had about 4 mothers inquire about the program, interested in sending their daughters. I wish the experience would have went better to where I recommend EF. But because of advisor Madelyn Marr’s horrible communication and lack of empathy and un-willingness to provide help and support. I will not recommend EF and will vehemently discourage anyone from the program. I will also be writing negative reviews online wherever possible and have already written a negative BBB review.