Sarina Russo Institute

I would not recommend this school to anyone. 1. I sat exams where teachers did not care that other students were copying answers from one another ( people were literally getting up from their chairs to view other students answers ) 2. The course was promoted as being intense (9am -5pm) - this was not the case. Rarely did we ever complete a full day! 3. I passed subjects that I did not complete. 4. I overheard instructors talking about how students are paying huge fees and walking away with no skills... 5. I was sent to [name of business removed by administrator] to complete workplace experience, only to be bullied and isolated by staff there. The head chef was on holidays at the time, and I was left with ordinary staff that would make me do tedious tasks they didn't want to complete, and upon his return, they told him I wasn't listening to any of their instructions. This affected my results. I would have thought anyone in a leadership role would have been a professional and make his own mind up, but he took his staffs word on face value. The young 19 year old guy who I was partnered with, on this placement, took an instant disliking to me after a discussion about me paying for my qualification. He felt because I was Australian, I should have done an apprenticeship like everyone else has to, to work in the hospitality field. This is when I decided Sarina Russo schools was not worth the money I was paying and said I was leaving and going to spend my money on a holiday around Europe instead. Best decision ever! 6. I raised these concerns with the head of school, only to be dismissed. I wanted a refund due to the course not meeting the standards that were promoted to me in the initial sales pitch. They would only offer me another course in business. But why would I choose to waste my time any further at this dysfunctional school! 7. Forgot to mention- the kitchens they placed us in for their classes was falling to bits. There were poles everywhere throughout the kitchen holding the roof up. I felt that this school was an international student scam. I'd like to remind those reading this review that I'm Australian (Caucasian - not that this really matters ) but the number of international students who would fail and drop out was HIGH. I felt so sorry for these students (as they were coming from mostly Asia) They were really trying to make big effort, but did not have the support. One example being there were two chefs per 30 - 35 students. Every student had questions, and it was quite hard to get the instructors attention at times even though they really tried their best to attend to everyone's needs. People were paying money they probably saved up for many many years and it was quite sickening to think that this Australian business was ripping these international (and domestic) students off. DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY HERE.

I chose Sarina Russo to get Advanced Diploma in Hospitality and I graduated in 2007. I was not happy most of thing in Sarina Russo. Most of us are from oversea and our first language was not English, however, I found some of teachers' there often screamed at me quite loud in the food and beverage and cooking class. We know we have to learn new skill , but they did not have to scold us . Especially , I felt teachers more targeted and too strict to Asian students rather than Caucasian students , such as European and Australian. I felt I was not treated really equal. I wanted to teachers to just teach or tell us our mistakes in normal voice of tone , but not scolding in front of the other class mates. It was my bad memory of Sarina Russo. In some cultures , they feel really embarrassed that teacher scream at one person in front of many students. And they have job access centre in the college. I also got help from them to get job. However, when I asked to help in job access staff who introduced me the work place, she did not help me anything at all when I was suffering unpaid from the work place. She did not even provide me the information about " fair work" to claim my unpaid salary. I did not know there was those place to get help as I am from oversea. All Local staff in Sarina Russo must know those information . but they did not tell me anything at all. I had to give up my unpaid salary without knowing how to claim for it. I was not also happy with that some of trainers listening skill. I wanted to teacher to listen to student's question until they finish to talk what is their question is. Many of teacher there were always easy to distracted by the other students' who tried to cut in my conversation before I finished asking my question. And my question were never answered because of the it. Teacher should know how to control students who try to distract teacher or try to cut in who has not finishing asking their question. Tuition fee was quite huge for oversea students, however, I felt this school ripping lots of money from oversea students with bad manner , unkindness , unhelpfulness to students who is suffering from unpaid situation and inattentive listening skill. When some of my friends are looking for college to study hospitality , I would tell them what happened to me at this school.