In spending time today with a young adolescent man and a young woman at Oakley School over lunch it became apparent that who they came into contact during treatment in wilderness and boarding school made all the difference in their minds as to the quality of care. The pieces of the treatment plan may not be immediately recalled, but the staff that made “the difference” did, and in a monumental way. That is what the internet cannot communicate to the family is the quality of the staff member in the program that “makes the difference”.

Likewise in meeting with a client at Odyssey House, it made sense why he made so much progress within a 6 month period of time, despite the amount of trauma he experienced before coming to treatment. Clearly, he made “a connection” with a particular staff member who “made sense” of his world for him and “changed” his mind, substituting the thought stoppers for rationale thoughts. Albert Ellis immediately came to my mind, and one of his quotes: ““The best years of your life are the ones in which you decide your problems are your own. You do not blame them on your mother, the ecology, or the president. You realize that you control your own destiny.” It’s time to take control of your life, and not blame others, isn’t it? www.drburdick.com

Consider what you know of the international landscape. Much of the study abroad options for US citizens revolve around Western Europe locations, such as UK, France, Italy. How about the Czech Republic? In traveling through Europe this winter, it is clear that amazing opportunity to immerse in a culture that is as rich as Paris, as intellectual as London, as cultured as Italy is vibrantly present in Prague.

So, you ask — how can Prague introduce me to European culture?

From the people to historical sites, Prague has a unique presence, unlike other major European cities. A safe city with a culture of family values, Prague provides opportunity to learn from history and politics. From IB programs to language courses, to undergrad and graduate university studies of Franze Kafka, and international marketing and accounting, the Czech Republic has opportunities to share, and we can guide you to them! Affordable, yes. Unforgettable? Guaranteed.

I received an email today from a program in US where I placed a young lady. It was the second placement from quite a structured therapeutic setting to a more traditional boarding school in Utah that ‘knows’ emotional growth. The combination has worked for this young lady and her parents couldn’t be more pleased. An excerpt: “It is starting to get cold in Utah. We have had a little snow, but not enough to stay on the ground. [She] is, as always, a rock star. She’s doing great academically and I often see her around campus hanging out with her friends. She mentioned to me that she has applied to a couple colleges all ready. I’m glad that she is so on top of it.”

Another one just came through just now: “[Our son] is doing so well he is enrolled full time at university of southern Maine. All his credits transferred from Vermont. He is sponsoring several guys and is very active in the community.”

Proof that proper educational consulting is indeed effective.

www.drburdick.com

WEBA Switzerland!

Fashion? How about Paris?

Idle hands….

This year’s WEBA conference in Locarno Switzerland was in a word — exceptional. Amazing opportunities for families who care to invest in their children’s education in ways unthought of even 10 years ago. Hotelier schools and advanced boarding schools in Switzerland, Fashion schools in Paris, Wilderness Programs in the US, Culture & Language programs for adults in Italy, summer programs in Switzerland — if you can THINK it, it’s available. John F Kennedy International School caught our eye this year in providing a family with a ‘harder to fit’ profile in need of a scholarship with opportunities to learn, skiing and lots of outdoor activities. 90 Children, 20 nationalities, provide a large family feel. MOD’ART International Fashion in Paris is another with a bent on design and management, particularly useful for the over 18 English speaker who need applied study and internship in France. G’staad International in Switzerland is exceptional for the right family of a young lady or man who needs an extraordinary boarding experience. All and all, we have new opportunities with partners throughout Europe.

Best from our new office here in Amsterdam, where, yes, we are finding youth with “too much time” on their hands, just like youth in the US. We are providing opportunities in bringing the best of US programs to the Netherlands and Western Europe through aftercare. Aftercare services include curriculum, coaching, skill building, and communication. We are teamed up with the best therapists here in the EU and in the US. We don’t market ‘troubled youth’, ‘exceptional youth’, rather, we are skilled in helping youth who lack a concrete, creative approach to their own development. They learn to ‘pull their own wagon’, so to speak, and motivate to excel beyond their own expectations.

Sincerely,

Dr Burdick — International Expert in Consulting for education and treatment