I was offered a job today to teach english at a school in Barcelona called “Good Seed International School.” I went through an application process of sending them my CV, passport picture, diploma, then had a follow-up email where I had a “written interview.” I was then offered a job via email, with the contract attached to print off, sign, then send via email.
The process seemed legit, but the school is asking for me to send a deposit of 650 euros through WESTERN UNION to make sure I’m serious about accepting the job. Their reasoning for the deposit makes complete sense to me since the school says it will pay for my plane ticket and is going to get me a work VISA and go through all those hoops (I’m from the U.S.), and if I just didn’t show up, they would be out some money.
However, I have not heard good things about Western Union—namely, once they send your money off, there isn’t a good way to track it, so it is ideal for scam artists. Does anyone know anything about this school (Good Seed International)? Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks!
I also should mention that the email told me I was one of 6 applicants chosen out of a field of 97, which I thought was weird, because while I believe that I am a very capable person, I do not have “official” teaching experience and also have no TEFL certification. However, they did attach an official-looking employee contract for me to sign….thoughts?
Got an address for the school? If I’m passing I could see how it looks (signs up outside whatever) if I’m close.
Also, I’d go with PayPal myself. I think they are insured up to $5,000 aint they? Might be safer and shouldn’t be a problem for the school if they are legit.
P.S. Have you spoken to anyone over the phone yet? Have they even heard you speak english? Smells a bit fishy to me
I have also been offered a job with Good Seen International School. And they have asked me for ?100Euros for a deposit for accommuncation etc. I too didnt like the idea of sending money Via western Union. I send them a long email with questions that i would like anwsered and that i would like to be contacte from the school and proff that this genuin. I have received a call from someone called Victor, but the line was no clear. I have asked him to email me contact details so that i can call him instead….....
I too was offered the one of 6 positions at Good Seed as well. I’m not to sure what the think of having to send them 650 Euro it seems like way too much. I asked if I could send them 300 Euro instead, as 650 Euro is alot of money to come up with in such short notice. I was told it is school standard and they are unable to change the set fee. This morning I sent them another e-mail letting them know I’m going to sign the contract but before I send it I have to have the DHL courier package at my door so that I can have some proof of the validity of everything. So either we will be working together or this is a scam. I will keep everyone posted on the replies I receive. If everyone else could keep me posted that would be fantastic!! Thanks
Address isnt exactly central. Outskirts in an industrial park it seems. Who knows. Seems a bit bizarre also that 3 new members post in the same thread the same thing on the day they joined. I’m confused. 😛
It just seemed as though it was this amazing opportunity that I couldn’t pass up, until I got the e-mail yesterday asking for money. I decided to attempt to do my research and I found this site. My guess is they have sent the contract to probably 97 people or even more with the hopes of getting 6 people to pay the 650 Euro each.
I received a reply from Victor and this is what it read:
“Your plight is quite understood, but i seriously assure you that you are in the right direction,its quite obvious that that there are some cunny guys out there…..but our institution is quite legit.
More information about the school will be sent to you shortly.
You are still free to decline the offer if you are not convinced about our legitimacy.
Got you. Still seems a bucketload of cash. Where you flying from? I’d proceed with caution if I were you - maybe even buy the flights myself then goto their offices and check it out.
I responded to “Victor” last night night, asking him about an alternative way to pay, and any proof he could send me that his institution is legit, and still no response, which is funny because they have been unusually quick about their responses to my last few emails…
I was also offered a job at good seed international yesterday afternoon. I was very excited, but concerned about the 650 Euro. I was given two numbers from the principle, Steffen Reykdal, to contact him while he was in the London office if I had any questions. I tried to reach him at both numbers, but I could not connect. I thought maybe he misprint the wrong numbers, so I sent him an email letting him know that I had some questions and would like him to call me. I recieved a call this morning from Steffen, but it was very hard to understand him. It did sound like he was at a school or something because there was a lot of background noise, but I am not sure. He answered a few of my questions regarding the school, but I still felt uneasy about the situation. Because of the commotion, he said that I should email him with any other questions. I really was happy about getting accepted for this position, but from hearing from all of you and putting the facts together - no website, no phone number, and having to pay this fee….I just don’t know. I sent Victor an email letting him know that I am concerned and need some proof that this is legit. Please let me know of any changes. Thanks!
FYI, it does cost about 650? to sponsor a work visa, and they’re claiming they do this. The fact that they’re located over by an industrial zone is not surprising either as that’s a great source of potential students for whom the school can charge a good rate.
So, why don’t you all pool your money together to come up with the 650?, then transfer that as a risk-mitigated experiment to see if these guys are legit?
Just got off the phone with State department, oversea schools, person in charge said said she would be very cautious….she has never heard of anyone asking for 650 euro up front. She said to be very careful, and that she gets phone calls like this all the time about schools in Korea, sometimes Spain, and other places. Alot of the time, they are scams and trying to get your money and then sometimes more…..She couldn’t believe that they were asking for 650 euro up front, she was shocked.
Maybe we should copy this forum and mail it to them so they know we are asking questions. Any ideas of how we can move forward or has anyone heard from Vicotor or Steffen?
I received an e-mail from Victor today with all of the so called school information. The information is wonderful but I believe not enough. He also sent me photos of the school, living quaters and staff. It looks absolutely beautiful but then again any scam is going to glamourize their situation so it looks appealing to you.
Here is the description I received.
“Good Seed International School was established in the year 2006 .The School provides sound education with a full range of extra-curricular activities to students aged 6 to 18/19 years and above from more than 15 countries.
At Good Seed International School , we provide a dynamic and balanced curriculum, based on the International School’s programmes. Unlike many international schools, we do not have one dominant nationality. The diversity in GSIS makes us a truly global international school. Drawing on the rich variety of cultures represented at the school. GSIS aims to develop in each student a global outlook, which seeks to understand and appreciate the attitudes and values of others.
GSIS’s purpose is to provide a first-class education for students aged between six and eighteen and above, fostering abilities both in the field of academic and general education. It is the school’s intention to educate the whole person in the hope of developing responsible world citizens of good character. The school ultimately aims to prepare students for both university education and future endeavours.”
This is what Victor just wrote me…Can you believe this!
“Hello
Note, the fact that a school has yet no website doesnt make the school a scam,we have read all you wrote about our school, beware,soon you will be called to defend all you wrote against us in the international court of Law, make sure you dont run away.
