Channel 9 in Cincinnati reported this week (watch the video) about a King’s Island Amusement Park staffing agreement with Worldwide International Student Exchange (WISE).  WISE promises kids around the world a trip to America, a job, and nice living quarters. For this WISE collects $3000 from the kids.

But when they arrived in Ohio, according to the Channel 9 report, they found the living conditions unacceptable, transportation unavailable, and recourse unattainable; If they spoke up, they risked losing their visa and possible deportation.

Without proper safeguards, the current guest worker/visa program could be abused and, for the young people coming to America, a form of indentured servitude. What do you think?  Have you met or interacted with kids at Kings Island or other public venues?  What obligation to the kids does the hiring organization have?  Could this kind of hiring program lead to situations in which young people, far from home and unable to speak English effectively, are being forced to work in order to pay back the cost of coming to America?

Let’s hear from you.