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EF (Education First)

Engaged employer

Fantastic coworkers, culture and students are a blast...but the company could care less about their employees - Administrative Within Academic Department EF (Education First) Employee Review

3.0
25 Sept 2014
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

-My only reason for staying so long was how much I loved my coworkers and how much it would let them(and the students) down if I left(since it takes months to hire a replacement). I cannot insist more about how much the entire staff is a family and I was truly dedicated to my position. Everyone was well traveled and interested in learning about new cultures so we all connected easily. -Working for the school is a blast since you get to lead and participate in all of the activities. It was so much fun to get to rediscover San Francisco and share the amazing secrets of the city with students. -I have places to stay all over the world now. Really got to bond with so many awesome international folks. - In my role I did a lot of networking in the professional community and I am forever grateful for it. -The staff is very good at what they do, from the teachers to the admins to the housing and academic departments! The former School Director was one of the best bosses I have ever worked for!

Cons

The company makes absolutely no attempt to invest in their employees! No training(although learning for myself is one of my biggest professional accomplishments to date) Horribly underpaid before even taking all of the overtime into consideration. No PTO unless you are a full time salaried employee Being asked to lie to students because the company didn't have it together was awful esp when it came to housing.

Explore other reviews about EF (Education First)

5.0
27 Feb 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

- Opportunity for quick advancement - Trainings for new managers - Culture of innovation and entrepreneurship - Global connections; opportunities to travel - Fast-paced work environment - Friendly, supportive teams

Cons

- Low pay (industry) - Burnout / overworked during peak seasons

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EF (Education First) Response
3mo
Thank you for sharing your experience! We’re glad to hear you’ve found opportunities for early career development, leadership training, and global connection during your time at EF. Creating a vibrant culture where colleagues can learn from one another and grow quickly is something we care deeply about. We also appreciate your perspective on compensation and workload during busy seasons. Supporting our colleagues’ limitless potential while helping them make a real impact through their work is important to us, and feedback like yours helps us continue to reflect on how we support our teams.
4.0
2 June 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

You get to choose your tour and recruit the students you want to bring. The paid chaperone ratio is 6:1, so it is very manageable. The tours are great and the local experts are wonderful.

Cons

Company support is variable. There is high turnover and new consultants are very sales motivated and don't always get the nuances of your school or community group. I have had some WONDERFUL concusltants, but they have always been promoted before I get to work with them again.

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