Hershey's

[vr4chick]

What are the living conditions like in these condos/apartments? 4 bedroom? Utilities included? Good location?

Around here, in the middle of nowhere, a 4 bedroom apartment with utilities, worry-free and included transportation, etc for four individuals could easily cost over $1200-$1600/mo. A one bedroom apartment alone costs around $600-$750.

If this is an issue over making these deductions mandatory, I don't think Hershey's is to blame for this. This is more likely about government regulations made to ensure non-immigrant workers live healthily and safely while they complete their exchange program.

Thank me if I'm right, grill me if I'm wrong.

Hershey is a nice, clean and pretty city. They should stop complaining. Look at the homeless in this country.

[AgentOblivious]

Hershey is a nice, clean and pretty city. They should stop complaining. Look at the homeless in this country.

I bet you'd be pissed too if you paid $4000 for what you thought would be a learning opportunity related to your field of study, with a chance to see the sights, and ended up being Hershey's discount factory worker...it doesn't matter what the apartments were like.

[green-lantern]

I bet you'd be pissed too if you paid $4000 for what you thought would be a learning opportunity related to your field of study, with a chance to see the sights, and ended up being Hershey's discount factory worker...it doesn't matter what the apartments were like.

Sounds like a learning experience to me. lol

[AgentOblivious]

Sounds like a learning experience to me. lol

Ya, but is that what you want foreign up-and-comers to think of your country?

[stealthify]

I bet you'd be pissed too if you paid $4000 for what you thought would be a learning opportunity related to your field of study, with a chance to see the sights, and ended up being Hershey's discount factory worker...it doesn't matter what the apartments were like.

You're kidding me, right?

Sure, lifting boxes and moving them from point A to point B is crappy work. Though, from how they described it in the video, it looked far from a sweatshop. The working condition in Hershey's plant looked MUCH better than the factories in the third-world countries where these students are likely from.

As I said, I don't know exactly what these students were promised other than a chance to live in the United States for a solid 3-months, with a place to stay, a stable job, and most of the amenities needed to live reasonably comfortable. The work may not be the highlight of their stay, but nothing is preventing them from going out and enjoying what the U.S. has to offer during their off-hours. This includes experiencing and participating in the culture and sights they came here for in the first place.

[UTRacerX9]

My friend from Brazil just entered his last year of school for engineering there, and has a paid internship there. He didn't come to America to get a job that was related to his field, he came just to come here, see the sights, and be able to work to pay for the trip. He never had any illusions that he would be getting a job in line with his academic resume at Disney, he worked as a ticket attendant and on several of the rides.

Somehow, I highly doubt that Disney or Hershey, or any other companies here would come out and say that the jobs they are looking to be filled will be matched up with the students career path.

[green-lantern]

Ya, but is that what you want foreign up-and-comers to think of your country?

Not sure about up and comers and I might actually agree with you to a point but I guess I just don't care a whole lot. No offense to the OP and the guy he knows but it seems like another waa waa waa I had to actually work crybaby crap I have come to really get sick of hearing about. I've dug ditches behind backhoes, theses pussies don't know hard labor. If anything the vacation they thought they were going to get was misrepresented. Life is a bitch and expensive, hard work and educated decisions is how you make something of yourself. I'm sure it wasn't what they thought, I hope the packing of chocolate didn't ruin her surgical career.

[AgentOblivious]

Well I found the company that set them up with Hershey:Students for the Work and Travel Program offered by CETUSA - Council for Educational Travel, USA

If you decide to participate on the CETUSA Work and Travel Program, you are in for an adventure! The Work and Travel Program offers you a chance to spend your summer vacation in the U.S. while working for an American company. You will experience firsthand what life is like for a typical American young adult. You will gain valuable work and life experience, expand your resume, improve your English, have opportunity to travel in the U.S., make great memories and form lasting relationships. No matter where you end up in the U.S., your Work and Travel Program is sure to be a summer you will never forget!

Pretty sad when the Chinese kids are complaining...

[thor'svr4]

I've worked in a factory for 4 years now. What they described sounds fairly normal. If I only work 40hrs/week ill take home ~1200 per month. Minus rent, gas, insurance, food I would be very lucky to have 400 left over. IF I only worked 40hrs/week these people would be making more money than me. Lucky for me I work ~72hrs/week.

The only part of this video that really stood out was when the girl mentioned that she has to move 50kg (110lb) boxes. That is extremely heavy assuming its something that they do continuously through-out the day.

I think we need more info. No one mentioned if stuff like food was included in the deductions. Or if they were informed of the hourly rate/deductions before they came to America to work.

One thing I dont understand is why someone who's a Med major would ever apply to Hershey? She had to know it would have nothing at all to do with her major. So why would someone come from a third world country to work in America at a factory only to go back to third world country? Its not like it would even look good on a future resume...

[93STLTH]

A couple of those girls made me want to pack some Hershey fudge.