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Student Ambassador program??

O

ownsmany

TUG Member
Joined
Sep 3, 2006
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The Great State of Pennsylvania
Has anyone participated in the people to people, student ambassador programs? My daughter got an invitation.

She is 14 years old, and I am afraid of sending her to Europe without someone we know.

I know it would probably be a great experience for her.

Insight??
 
Which program? Who did she get the invite from? Was it one of those "anonymous" letters saying "Congratulations, you've been nominated to participate......now give us your money". Sorry, if I sound cynical, but over the years both of my dds have received many of these type of invitations.
 
I went to Denmark one summer when I was 15, as a student ambassador. It was a fabulous experience. There was a group of about 15-20 of us that went together. We did have a chaparone, but we only really saw him our last week, when we went touring together. The rest of the time, we were living with our host families. I recall that there was some sort of screening of the families involved, but that was really something my parents paid more attention to than I did. I do not know if it was a people to people exchange.

Last year, my then 13 year old niece went on a trip to Washington DC with the people to people program. It was for a week, I believe. My sister did a lot of research and came to the conclusion that it was a very reputable organization and a very well run program. Elizabeth went and learned a lot from her experience. The children were well supervised and there were no problems during her trip.
 
I don't doubt that many, if not most, of these programs are well run and worth while. My problem with them was the way they were presented to my dds. The "nomination" was a farce, they were obviously just on some mailing list. And the costs weren't cheap. So, as Arlene stated, do your homework and research the program before you decide.
 
Both my kids play sports and they have both recieved "invatations" over the past few years. We found out the level of the sports programs are low and not competative enough for my kids. However, a friend of my daughter went for a soccer program with People to People to Amsterdam this past summer and she had a great time. Personally, they make it sound "special" but they will take anyone if you have the $$!
 
People to People is a great program

ownsmany said:
Has anyone participated in the people to people, student ambassador programs? My daughter got an invitation.

She is 14 years old, and I am afraid of sending her to Europe without someone we know.

I know it would probably be a great experience for her.

Insight??
Click to expand...

The People to People program is completely legit. Invitations only go to top students and the trips are great bargains. Our daughter got invited her freshman year and we went, admittedly reluctantly, to the presentation with her stating we were wasting time and she didn't want to do it.

After the past participants spoke, we saw the films and they described the 3 week trip to 5 countries in Europe she was first at the table to sign up! She celebrated her 13th birthday (the minimum age to go - she was lucky they allowed it) by calling us and saying she had just been swimming in the Mediterranean. It was a tough 23 days for us - our only daughter in Europe with 40 other teens not long after 9/11 - but we got through it and she came home a changed person. Suddenly shes telling me about the Louvre and types of architecture and how crazy the drivers are in Paris and Germany.

The next year she was automatically invited as an alumni and this time it was Australia and New Zealand - a 26 day trip. We have photos of her mountain climbing, deep sea diving (she got her PATA certification before she left), piloting some type of glider and holding a koala bear ("He was scratching").

Then the next year the trip was back in Europe with Greece, Italy (she wanted to see that and didn't get there the first trip), Spain and France. By this time we were used to the long trips, we had our contacts down and again she enjoyed every minute of it.

To go the student needs recommendations from three teachers and has to have good grades. The experience is PRICELESS and the cost was extremely reasonable for the length of the trips and all the things they got to see - much of it not available to "standard" travelers. Highly recommended you look into it if your child gets the invite.
 
Again, I'm sure the programs, including People to People, are legit. But I know several times when one or the other, of my dds received invites from them and even they couldn't figure out HOW. One of my dds was on the brink of failing almost all of her classes. So, personally, I would still take the invite with a grain of salt. Shutting up now.
 
there are strict requirements

Malibu Sky said:
Both my kids play sports and they have both recieved "invatations" over the past few years. We found out the level of the sports programs are low and not competative enough for my kids. However, a friend of my daughter went for a soccer program with People to People to Amsterdam this past summer and she had a great time. Personally, they make it sound "special" but they will take anyone if you have the $$!
Click to expand...

Actually they do require top grades and teacher recommendations or the student will be turned away. As one discovered on the trip if they misbehave they will be sent home - no second chances! This is a very tightly run organization and the prices, while no means cheap, are very reasonable. My daughter got her 23 day trip that included 4 countries in July for under $5000. My neighbor's son took a school trip to only Italy over Easter - 10 days - and paid $4500. No comparison in value.
 
I'm happy to see so many responses so quickly.

I understand Luannes reservations on it. I had concerns as well about the invite - but more concerned about the program, then how they got her name.

That said, my DD has been a straight A student her entire life, so I think she well could have been recommended. But who knows.

I'm glad to see so many positives about the program. It sounds like a great learning experience for her. I'm going to bring her cousin with us to the meeting. I'd like for the 2 of them to go together on the trip if possible. Both are excellent students and I would feel more comfortable if DD knew someone.

I'm anxious to hear more about the program. Our info meeting is in early Jan.
I guess I better start saving now - huh? Hope the dates aren't the same as our Hawaii trip. I'd like DD to have the experience of doing the people to people if possible.

Looking forward to hearing more from tuggers as well.
 
Great experiences - thanks for sharing.

timeos2 said:
The People to People program is completely legit. Invitations only go to top students and the trips are great bargains. Our daughter got invited her freshman year and we went, admittedly reluctantly, to the presentation with her stating we were wasting time and she didn't want to do it.

After the past participants spoke, we saw the films and they described the 3 week trip to 5 countries in Europe she was first at the table to sign up! She celebrated her 13th birthday (the minimum age to go - she was lucky they allowed it) by calling us and saying she had just been swimming in the Mediterranean. It was a tough 23 days for us - our only daughter in Europe with 40 other teens not long after 9/11 - but we got through it and she came home a changed person. Suddenly shes telling me about the Louvre and types of architecture and how crazy the drivers are in Paris and Germany.

The next year she was automatically invited as an alumni and this time it was Australia and New Zealand - a 26 day trip. We have photos of her mountain climbing, deep sea diving (she got her PATA certification before she left), piloting some type of glider and holding a koala bear ("He was scratching").

Then the next year the trip was back in Europe with Greece, Italy (she wanted to see that and didn't get there the first trip), Spain and France. By this time we were used to the long trips, we had our contacts down and again she enjoyed every minute of it.

To go the student needs recommendations from three teachers and has to have good grades. The experience is PRICELESS and the cost was extremely reasonable for the length of the trips and all the things they got to see - much of it not available to "standard" travelers. Highly recommended you look into it if your child gets the invite.
Click to expand...
 
I recently learned about this program through a friend who highly recommended it -- she goes as a teacher and absolutely loves it.
 
Okay, okay, maybe I'm just jealous. If we had the money to be spending to send our dd on something like this three times, I think dh and I would be going first. ;)
 
This is so funny...I just got an invite to join People to People....not my child, but me. It was addressed to: "Parents of: (my name)" I guess the school messed up when they were giving out names, or the "People to People" people (lol) messed up and pulled the moms' names instead of the kids'.

Just goes to show you that the invite isn't very exclusive...!!
 
3kids4me said:
This is so funny...I just got an invite to join People to People....not my child, but me. It was addressed to: "Parents of: (my name)" I guess the school messed up when they were giving out names, or the "People to People" people (lol) messed up and pulled the moms' names instead of the kids'.

Just goes to show you that the invite isn't very exclusive...!!
Click to expand...

You mean you're not a straight A student, and couldn't get three teacher recommendations!!!! :doh:
 
We knew there was something amiss when my oldest DD got invited because of her "outstanding leadership skills." That really DID have me laughing!
 
My son got an invitation a week or so ago. I glanced at it then threw it out because I thoght it was a hoax. Oh well....he would never had went.l
 
Another great People to People experience

My daughter went on a People to People trip during the summer of her sophmore year. The selectivity of the nomination process really depends on how diligent the teachers at the particular high school (or middle school) want to be and how seriously they take the process. My daughter had to provide recommendations and then was interviewed. She went to France, Switzerland, Germany and Austria and loved it. She went to the International Red Cross as well as the American Embassies in several places. In fact, after hearing an intern at one of the embassies, she decided to try to major in public policy - although that could certainly change as the years pass. She ended up being only one of two students who went from our high school - others were nominated but chose not to go. The strict rules about both behavior and dress may have turned off some of the kids - i.e. no short shorts or skirts, no t shirts, no tank tops, etc. They will not hesitate to send home students who drink, do drugs, etc. My daughter met students from other schools in our area that she would not have met otherwise. The kids switch roommates throughout the trip so they get to know each other well - only girls w/ girls and boys w/boys of course ! She has been on other summer programs but said that this was the best experience of all. It was not cheap but I have to say that it was worth it for her. It is definitely not a hoax and not everyone is invited to participate - unlike some of the stuff we have received unsolicited in the mail.
 
American parents tend to be more conservative than their foreign counterparts. That is not to say we are wrong or anything like that. That is what we are, plain and simple.

I had a few past students get involved in the student ambassadors program. They had to raise their own $$$ for expenses. There were never any negatives I heard. The students really enjoyed the experience. Just the other day one of my former students was interviewed about the program. She had nothing but positives to say about it. Hers was in the musical field. They were a group and went all over certain areas of Europe to entertain and also take in the culture of the countries visisted. It was a win-win situation.

JMHO, of course

frenchieinme :hi:
 
strange thing on hers, it asked about the sport she plays. She did play soccer, but by no means was a skilled athlete. She wasn't in it that long, too involved in other things.

Does this mean they will be playing sports while there gone, is it a sports thing too?

I'm hoping it's just a travel thing.
 
ownsmany said:
strange thing on hers, it asked about the sport she plays. She did play soccer, but by no means was a skilled athlete. She wasn't in it that long, too involved in other things.

Does this mean they will be playing sports while there gone, is it a sports thing too?

I'm hoping it's just a travel thing.
Click to expand...

There is another division of People to People that runs the sports ambassador program. My daughter too had got an invitation to that. Look at http://www.ptpi.org/programs/SportsAmb.aspx for more information.
At that time she was too young, so we did not consider it. But now that she is a freshman in high school, the student ambassador program looks worthwhile.

Neash
 
Our 16yr old daughter went last year and loved it

The first time we got the letter we threw it out-and then were rather embarrassed when a friend's mother mentioned that they had nominated her. They do ask each student to nominate at least three other students for future trips. I don't think it is as exclusive as they might like you to believe, but it is a legitimate organization, found by Dwight Eisenhower.

Our daughter went for just under three weeks to Europe. Her group had a group meeting every month from Jan. until they left in June. They did lots of bonding type activities and some learning exercises regarding the various countries before they left. While some of it seemed like busy work, it did provide a means of getting to know the other students before they left.

I thought it was a lot of money, but they did visit lots of places you wouldn't have the opportunity to visit on your own, and it was an educational experience. Their tour was a little different then most in that they didn't do any home stays, but stayed in hotels as a group for the entire trip.

She came home much more self-confident and comfortable in various situations.

They met someone from the Parliment in England, went rapelling off a castle in Wales, did kayaking and water activities at the UK Sailing Academy on the Isle of Wight in England, toured a chocolate factory in Belgium, learned about Irish traditions from a couple in Ireland, toured Anne Frank's home, took a couple of gondola rides, and climbed the Eiffle Tower, for a few of their activities.

For her, I would say it was money well spent. She is very interested in history, and this trip allowed her to see and do things she might never have done otherwise. As she is contemplating going away to college next year, and looking at schools that are a distance from home I feel much more comfortable knowing how she handled herself on this trip. She also has a better framework to judge whether she wants to go further away, or not.

The chaperones were wonderful. Our daughters have traveled on a lot of church youth group trips, and after comparing their experiences we feel the People-to-People group did a wonderful job making sure the standards were clearly defined and upheld through out the trip, and that they went out of their way to make sure the students were comfortable, fitting in, and safe at all times. Emilie's main chaperone actually emailed the parents periodically throughout the trip with brief up-dates. Since she only called home once, it was nice to get glimpses throughout her time away as to how the group was doing.

Depending on which trip it is, and what interests your child, I would highly recommend it--probably more at the high school level, rather than the middle school level, though.
 
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