BMCC 2008 Switzerland Blog

Dean of Student Affairs…

Written by: Mark Villanueva

Dean Craig,

I was extremely disappointed to hear that the Carnival Cruise was canceled. I would be interested in knowing why the cruise was canceled. The financial expenses and time spent, now wasted, in planning for this trip is ruined and lost. I spent $670 for this trip. That does not include the week off work (not paid), the clothing I purchased, and the money borrowed from family to help finance this trip. I am also frustrated to hear this the week prior to the cruise. I had my summer planned and after such a wonderful study abroad to Switzerland, this is not only disappointing, it is malice.

My arrival back to New York from Switzerland was ruined with an e-mail and voice message of the cancellation. The study abroad to Switzerland was an important trip for me and every student. The learning experience and opportunity of this trip not only taught me how to run tours and be a vital strength in the travel industry, it also matured me as a person and gave me new inspiration to be a better person. I am also grateful to Dr. Elinor Garely, Prof. Sandra Blake- Neis, Elliott Williams, my fellow students, and the Travel and Tourism Club for making the Switzerland trip the best trip possible.

I am so frustrated and stressed to have come off this experience and have to deal with the cancellation of the cruise. Why were the students not contacted prior to the cancellation? We as BMCC students were not given an opportunity or reason to know why the cruise was in jeopardy to be cancelled. This is extremely inconvenient, inconsiderate, and unjustifiable for this to happen and makes me feel ashamed and disgraced to be a student of BMCC.

I look forward to hearing the explanation of the cancellation and being reimbursed in a timely fashion.

Thank you,

Mark Villanueva

.

Unforeseen Circumstances…Yea Right!

Written by: Sasha Munoz

Dean M. Craig,

Disappointment cannot even explain what the cancellation of the cruise has done to me. When I read the e-mail sent by Dean Craig stating that the Travel & Tourism trip scheduled for June 26, 2008, on Carnival Cruise Line had been canceled I was in disbelief. The financial expenses and time spent, never returnable, in planning for this trip is ruined and lost. I paid $670 for the cost of this trip. That does not include the week off work (not paid), the clothing I purchased, and the money obtained to help finance this trip. I honestly think it is absurd to make such a decision, without consulting any of the students, prior to our arrival from Switzerland. This is the most unprofessional situation that I have ever encountered with this school. Plans were made and my time was rearranged without my consent, which I find to be very disrespectful. Not only did BMCC lose credibility, but also any type of respect from me as a student towards this institution.

My arrival back to New York from Switzerland was ruined with an e-mail and voice message of the cancellation. The study abroad to Switzerland was an important trip for me and every student involved. The learning experience and opportunity of this trip not only taught me how to manage tours and be a vital strength in the travel industry, it also matured me as a person and gave me new inspiration to be a better person. I am also grateful to Dr. Elinor Garely, Prof. Sandra Blake- Neis, Elliott Williams, my fellow students, and the Travel and Tourism Club for making the Switzerland trip the best trip possible. If I could go back and have the opportunity to take this course all over, I would proudly do it all over again and I would only go if I had the same professors. It’s depressing to come back to such unprofessional drama, and unclear yet “unforeseen circumstances” as you stated in your email.

We as BMCC students were not given an opportunity or true explanation as to why the cruise was really canceled. This is extremely inconvenient, inconsiderate, and unjustifiable for this to happen. Also it makes me feel ashamed and disgraced to be a student of BMCC. And to think that when I arrived at JFK airport I had someone approach me in reference to attending BMCC because I wore the BMCC T-shirt so proudly, and I gave such positive feedback, ending the conversation with a ” See you in the fall at BMCC”. Well just so you know I take that back, and I must say BMCC is a disgrace to all students attempting to better themselves and their careers.

Unfortunately this was the way I had to be introduced to the Administrative Staff of BMCC.
Thanks,

Sasha Muñoz