Summer Bummer

Foreign students working at Six Flags say they were misled about their job, salary and accommodations.

Comments (0) By Kristen Hinman Wednesday, Sep 6 2006

...continued from page 1

"At least this way they've got the kitchenette with a stove and all that," Gotway says of the New Jefferson Arms.

The inflated rent can't be helped, says Gotway, explaining that Pyramid requires a six-month lease. "Since they're only here three or four months, the other two or three still have to be covered."

Jennifer Silverberg

Shu-ting "Sandy" Chang: "It was the wrong decision to come here."

More About

Foreign students have also voiced concern about other parks in the Six Flags family. In 2002 Brazilian, Costa Rican and Spanish workers at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, New Jersey, told the Asbury Park Press the park didn't provide 40-hour weeks as promised. The same year, Polish students working at Six Flags New England in Springfield, Massachusetts, reported to the Hartford Courant that they were forced to work 60-hour weeks and live in overpriced dormitories.

Gotway says that Six Flags St. Louis treats its foreign workers very well, going as far as helping some students find alternate housing or even second jobs outside the park. She adds that one former employee made enough money at the two jobs that he was able to return to his country and buy his family a bakery.

"The opportunities," says Gotway, "are so different here than in their homeland."

Contact the author kristen.hinman@riverfronttimes.com