Exit Plan: Do you have one?

Copyright Notice: If you are not reading this at All Education Matters, and unless I've explicitly given an individual or entity permission to publish my work, this post has been illegally appropriated. Please read original content here.

I have launched a new series about living abroad on AEM, and will have a piece published again in USAToday on that subject next week. (Incidentally, if you are interested in reading more policy-related work by me, USAToday recently published an article I wrote about the ways in which the U.S. Government could ease the burden of student loan debt. I am also working more behind the scenes to try and influence legislation that will bring relief to student loan debtors, and I look forward to my forthcoming trip to D.C. to talk to policymakers about the indentured educated class). As for the pieces about living abroad, the series will highlight individuals who have decided to leave the country for more opportunities abroad. These pieces are intended to help struggling Americans, with high levels of debt and various degrees, realize that they too can find fulfilling opportunities outside of the United States. If you would like to share your story about living abroad, or if you are thinking about leaving the country, please do not hesitate to reach out to me (ccrynjohannsen@gmail.com).

So, with that in mind, do you have an exit plan? (And I'm not talking about suicide). What if things continue to worsen in the U.S., what is your plan B or plan C or plan D  or . . .  ? I have my own plans, and am glad that I'm more flexible about where I live. Indeed, I go where the work is. However, that does not mean that I simply settle. In fact, I am tired of settling, and I am sure many of you feel that way as well. My increased flexibility came from a difficult, yet exciting, decision to leave the country for Korea in 2010.

Tell me, what are your exit plans, and how are your organizing your life to get where you want to be? Is it leaving the country? Is it moving back in with family? I want to know!

Related Links

"Living Abroad in China," AEM, May 8, 2011

"Living Abroad: Returning to Korea," AEM, May 4, 2011

"Living Abroad," AEM, May 3, 2011

"Random Thoughts on Plagiarism," AEM, May 11, 2011

© 2009-2011 C. Cryn Johannsen. Simple template. Powered by Blogger.

Nelnet News

Copyright Notice: If you are not reading this at All Education Matters, and unless I've explicitly given an individual or entity permission to publish my work, this post has been illegally appropriated. Please read original content here.


Suit against Nelnet thrown out in Eight Circuit

The Eighth Circuit threw out a suit that was filed by a whistleblower against Nelnet, Inc. The whistleblower, Rudy Vigil, was a former loan advisor for the company. Vigil argued that Nelnet committed various acts of fraud, violating the rules and regulations under FFELP and therefore made the company liable under the False Claims Act (FCA).

Not all suits have had a favorable outcome for the company, however. Most notably, in November of 2010, Nelnet, along with other lenders, settled a suit brought against them by Dr. Jon Oberg. Oberg, a former researcher for the Department of Education, discovered that the company was illegally collecting millions of dollars in federal loan subsidies, and therefore stealing funds from taxpayers. Reporter Sam Dillon of the NYT detailed the allegations made by Oberg in May of 2007.  As Dillon reported, these "vast overpayments" continued for three more years, even though Oberg brought it to the attention of his supervisors. Oberg won and Nelnet settled for $55 million. The case revealed that the department allowed student lenders to draw cash directly from the treasury. Yet since the case was settled out of court, the public will not learn the details of the scandal. Of course, this is a common tactic for high-profile companies, as it allows them to resolve litigation problems quietly. 

© 2009-2011 C. Cryn Johannsen. Simple template. Powered by Blogger.

Related Links


Richard Piersol, "Nelnet, Citigroup, JP Morgan Chase accused in lawsuit," originally posted October 19, 2009 in the Lincoln Journal Star


Tim Lacy, "Modern-Day Hero: Jon Oberg, Former G-Man In The U.S. Dept. of Education," originally posted on History and Education: Present and Past, May 7, 2007.

Mitt Romney is talking about student loan debt

Copyright Notice: If you are not reading this at All Education Matters, and unless I've explicitly given an individual or entity permission to publish my work, this post has been illegally appropriated. Please read original content here.

Here's how Mitt Romney is trying to attract the youth vote.

Big News: U.S. Government Joins Suit Against Education Management Corp. (EDMC)

Copyright Notice: If you are not reading this at All Education Matters, and unless I've explicitly given an individual or entity permission to publish my work, this post has been illegally appropriated. Please read original content here.

According to a recent news report, the U.S. Justice Department has come out in support of a whistleblower, and joined a suit against Education Management Corp. (EDMC). In yet another example of how entangled the student lending industry is with Wall Street and global markets, 40% of the company is owned by Goldman Sachs. The report is noteworthy because this is the first time the Justice Department has gotten involved with a case against a for-profit company.

The board of directors for the Pittsburgh-based company includes John R. McKernan, Jr. MrKernan was the 71st governor of Maine, and was also a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. He is married to Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME). Between 2005 and 2010, Snowe received $13,500 in campaign donations from Goldman Sachs.

EDMC responded to the suit, arguing that the case is "unwarranted and without merit." EDMC is the second-largest, for-profit operator in the United States.

Living Abroad in China

Copyright Notice: If you are not reading this at All Education Matters, and unless I've explicitly given an individual or entity permission to publish my work, this post has been illegally appropriated. Please read original content here.


Since many of you have expressed an interest in knowing what it was like for me to live and work abroad, AEM has launched a new series entitled, "Living Abroad." These pieces are about American expats who have lived or are living abroad. I am also exploring options of moving abroad again in a year or year and a half, and will be writing about that possibility (primarily here), as well as sharing my own experience of living and working in Korea. If you are interested in sharing your story with my readers, please don't hesitate to send me an email (ccrynjohannsen@gmail.com). Those of you who have yet to leave the country are also welcome to submit pieces. This series is part of a public service to let indentured educated citizens know that there are other options, and that they can find fulfilling opportunities beyond U.S. borders. 


Johannsen: Where have you lived abroad?

Respondent: China, just outside of Beijing.

Johannsen: Why did you choose to go abroad?

Respondent: Many reasons . . . [I left] for the cultural experience, and to expose myself to new things. [I also wanted to meet new] people and to travel.  Also, to a lesser extent, work was not so easy to come by. I was not thrilled with the job I had in the U.S. [I wanted] CHANGE!

Johannsen: Where are you living now?

Respondent: I'm back in America, not too far from New Haven, Connecticut.


Johannsen: If someone were to come to you and express an interest in living abroad, what tips would you give them about the process?

Respondent: Do your research, [if you're thinking about teaching abroad] google school names, check to see if they are on any black lists or forums.  Ask the school to provide the email addresses of at least three current teachers.  Verify that these three + people are legit.  Ask them questions.

Johannsen: That's a great point. There are a lot of expat forums that provide you with good information about good and bad schools. For instance, Dave's ESL Cafe was a place I spent a lot of time reading before leaving for South Korea. I still rely upon it, now that I am thinking about and actively looking for another job abroad. Of course, it's important to keep in mind that when people are angry and unhappy about work conditions (and I think a lot of those complaints are justified), they are going to be the ones complaining on the Internet. However, Dave's offers different perspectives. That's why I think your advice is great. You should obtain the names of current teachers at the school that is offering to hire you, and ask them lots of questions.

Finally, do you think it's important for people your age - millennials - to be thinking of careers outside of the U.S.? If so, why?

Respondent: It can be a (temporary) solution to poor job prospects in America, and that is if someone exhausts all possibilities stateside (which seems to be more and more [common], and happening to more and more people). Perhaps spending a year in a foreign country can also allow the person to continue a job search stateside.  Nothing comes up?  Renew the contract and keep searching and networking.

Johannsen: Is there anything else that you'd like to add?

Respondent: Prospective employers should value foreign work experience more.  It clearly shows that a person has the ability to adapt quickly and has a great deal of flexibility. People do indeed gain valuable skills outside of the country.

Related Links


"Living Abroad: Returning to Korea," AEM (4 May 2011)

"Living Abroad," AEM (3 May 2011)