I am interning abroad in Barcelona with a company called Intrax and have run into a few problems concerning inconsistencies in their advertising on their website and what I have experienced first hand in their program while I have been in Barcelona for the past week. I am truly dissatisfied with this program and desire to get my money refunded because they falsely advertised on their site numerous times. As a result of this deception, I chose this company over others and staying home and interning in San Diego or Los Angeles, with a paid internship. I know you are don't give your student legal advice but I am finished taking your courses and could really use an opinion regarding what has happened to me. Please just tell me if you agree with what I am saying, it would mean a lot to me and I would honestly be indebted to you. I was told by the company's webpage that I would be living in a certain neighborhood of Barcelona, the Gracia district. This was a primary reason why I chose this company because they guaranteed residence in a certain safe part of town that was centrally located. After I had already booked tickets and planned to leave to Barcelona two days later, they sent me an email informing me where I would be living. This was not in Gracia neighborhood, or even close for that matter. Then they tell me we will have to move further our from the city center three weeks later after our arrival. That is the first inconsistency I noted and they falsely advertised where we would be living, possibly to attract customers. Second, I was told I would be interning for a company in Barcelona city. I later was told that my place of work was located in Sant Cugat del Valles, a town outside the city about 35 minutes by train. The second false advertisement noted. Since beginning my internship, I have commuted roughly 2 hours and 15-30 minutes total in a day. That is the second inconsistency I noted on their website. Without going into details, I am obviously left feeling very deceived and misled. I want a refund or I want to be accommodated as I expected. The company handles all disputes through arbitration. With this evidence, do you think it is possible that I could receive at least some of the money I put down through arbitration? Here are their terms and conditions: http://www.intraxinternshipsabroad.com/sites/default/files/2012%20Intrax%20Internships%20Abroad%20Terms%20and%20Conditions.pdf Any little piece of advice would be appreciated. I am confused as to what I should do and I am to go speak with my program coordinator later today about it to tell her my concerns.
Talking Points
Neighborhood Location: It is clearly advertised on the webite, even now, that we were to be residing in Gracia.
Eixample and Clot are not Gracia. False advertising.
One of the deciding factors of choosing this program was that I was going to live in Gracia, a neighborhood I loved last time I lived in Barcelona. I WAS ENTIRELY MISLED. I COULD HAVE USED ANOTHER PROGRAM THAT ENSURE MY RESIDENCE LOCATION. OR NOT GONE TO BARCELONA AT ALL BECAUSE I REALLY DID NOT WANT TO LIVE ELSEWHERE IN THE CITY. ESPECIALLY, IF I WERE TO COMMUTE TO SAN CUGAT, OUTSIDE OF BARCELONA.
Website clearly states that we will be located in a comfortable, convenient location. I am not comfortable nor is the location even remotely convenient for me. Nor will Clot.
We’ve personally visited and stayed at each accommodation, to ensure that you’ll enjoy your time abroad, both during your internship and in your new “home away from home”.
****If you had stayed at this place before, you would realize that it is not suitable for three people.
Eva, the program coordinator for Spain, misinformed about the commute time as well. I disembark at Hospital General, two stops later which adds more time. Additionally I have to walk about 1.5km each way to get to the office building. This adds another 20 minutes to my commute. Not to mention it is incredibly hot here so I arrive at the office dripping in sweat. IN TOTAL MY COMMUTE IS ABOUT AN HOUR AND FIVE TO AN HOUR AND TWENTY MINUTES EACH WAY. THIS IS NOT FAIR NOR CONVENIENT NOR COMFORTABLE. IF I WANTED TO COMMUTE THIS LONG TO A JOB, I WOULD HAVE SAVED MY MONEY AND LIVED AT HOME AND DRIVEN TO SAN DIEGO AND BACK EVERYDAY. THE COST IS NEARLY SIMILAR AFTER I SPEND $ ON THE METRO PASSES I HAVE TO USE 5 TIMES A WEEK.
I WAS UNDER THE ASSUPMTION THAT THE INTERNSHIP WOULD BE IN BARCELONA, NOT IN SAN CUGAT. THIS IS ALSO MISLEADING AND FALSE ADVERTISING.
Pictures of the apartment are misleading in size. 65 square meters is not enough space for three adults. The bedroom Allie and Kelly have to share is tiny.
I JUST FEEL LIKE I HAVE BEEN MISLED AND MISINFORMED ABOUT THIS PROGRAM SINCE THE BEGINNING. I AM UPSET BECAUSE I DO NOT LIKE TO BE DECEIVED WHETHER IT WAS INTENTIONAL OR NOT.
I FEEL THAT BECAUSE EVA WAS LEAVING THE COMPANY, SHE PUT IN A POOR EFFORT BECAUSE SHE WOULD NOT HAVE TO HEAR ABOUT THE RESULTS OF HER POOR PERFORMANCE ON THE JOB. THE OTHER ROOMATES AGREE AS WELL.
The website is rife with false advertising all over it. I reccommend it be changed because i don’t want someone to have to deal with the disappointment and misinformation that i had to experience.
I DO NOT WANT TO HANDLE THIS THROUGH ARBITRATION ALTHOUGH I FEEL CONFIDENT THAT I COULD WIN THIS CASE BASED OFF OF THE DECEITFUL ACTIONS WHICH YOUR COMPANY HAS PERPETUATED THROUGHOUT THIS SITUATION.
Hi, I’m a moderator for this topic and I wonder whether you’re still waiting for an answer. If you are, please let me know and I will do my best to find a professional to assist you right away. If not, feel free to let me know and I will cancel this question for you. Thank you!
If you can cancel it and I do not have to pay, then go ahead and do that. If I must still pay, then do not cancel.