I attended the Expressive Arts Institute professional program, in which a certificate as an Expressive Arts Facilitator would be given. The cost was $1400 in some change also included was an application fee. I later found out that I would have to find my own housing and there wasn't a group discount. Okay, so I made my reservations. This program was suppose to be 3 days for 3 weeks each separately done between months. Which meant, I would have to take a day off from work before and after my 3 days.
When I arrived for my first day we are given a brunch and it is explained what we would be doing. We meet other people and for limited opening there seemed to be almost 25 people. That is quite a bit of people. I became very disappointed to learn would have to provide for our own meals breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Now, I didn't mind dinner, but for the amount of money I was paying I would think it would be included. The workshop went over without a hitch and I went back home excited. Upon my return for the 2nd weekend, I learned that it was during Boat Week, the hotels had shot up from $65 a night to $200 night. I was mortified. None of the instructors wanted to help us. Finally, a placed for $89-99 was found for us but by then most had made reservations and the travel to and from the bridge was costly as well.
The 2nd weekend was like the first, no breakfast and no lunch. We would get lectures on being on time and yet be told to eat on campus. Campus meals were $5 and horrible! I could not believe all the traveling and running around I was doing. Also, copies of the actual work we were doing was never given to any of us. I was starting to feel dismayed over the money I spent. How could this be so unorganized. We finally pleaded for our last and final weekend for water. We were told water could not be provided.
I have attended one day conferences where a continental breakfast and lunch was provided, lodging where the conference was being held, with a group rate was given. Not here. For $1400 we got nothing but information and techniques. Then was told that the certificate given to me didn't really mean anything and I am still waiting for my so called CEU'S! We were told to do paper and work throughout the summer. They are crazy! Even the place where we did our workshop was dirty! It was terrible.
This is a horrible program that cost way too much. I was robbed for my hard earned money. For 25 people they earned $35,000. I wonder what they did with all of it because it sure didn't come to us. They cheated us and put us in a trance to make us "think" we were getting a real certificate but all we got was a bunch of mess and lies. I have never heard of anyone not being able to get there CEU's because of a damn website. Either you are able to do so or you're not.
Salve Regina should remove this program because it makes them look very bad.
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