To: President Donald Trump, The New York State House, The New York State Senate, and Governor Andrew Cuomo
We demand Accountability on Student Programs Overseas
We want policy, oversight, accountability , sanction, transparency and a registry of incidences. Programs are not forthcoming with information so students and parents are not making informed decisions.
Why is this important?
Imagine dropping off your child to go overseas on an opportunity of a lifetime?
Imagine how you would feel if your child never comes home.
My son Ravi Thackurdeen died a 100% preventable death on a school sponsored surprised trip to the beach while on study abroad, two days prior to coming home on April 29, 2012. There was no beach trip not on the very stringent itinerary, however this was the 3rd year it had been done. Duke University and Organization for Tropical Studies took the students to a beach not advised for swimming due to its rip currents and the severe turbulence .caused by the four rivers that pour into it; one of them being the largest in Costa Rica. Duke/OTS took no safety devices, no communication devices, no lifeguards. The leaders and everyone watched for 40 minutes as my son was in the struggle for his life till he won't under. They then left the beach...they told us he was missing. The program continues and they tell me they are not responsible.
Imagine how you would feel if your child never comes home.
My son Ravi Thackurdeen died a 100% preventable death on a school sponsored surprised trip to the beach while on study abroad, two days prior to coming home on April 29, 2012. There was no beach trip not on the very stringent itinerary, however this was the 3rd year it had been done. Duke University and Organization for Tropical Studies took the students to a beach not advised for swimming due to its rip currents and the severe turbulence .caused by the four rivers that pour into it; one of them being the largest in Costa Rica. Duke/OTS took no safety devices, no communication devices, no lifeguards. The leaders and everyone watched for 40 minutes as my son was in the struggle for his life till he won't under. They then left the beach...they told us he was missing. The program continues and they tell me they are not responsible.