Michelle in MO Posted August 19, 2008 Share Posted August 19, 2008 My oldest daughter just got a letter in the mail today from an organization called People to People International, for a Student Ambassador Program. Has anyone heard of this? Is it for real? I called the number at the bottom of the letter, and they said a student either gets nominated by their teacher, or else it's based on college-entrance exam scores. The trip she's been invited on is for the summer of 2009, called the Traditions of Europe. They visit England, Ireland, Wales, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands for 19 days. It sounds good, it looks good, it's educational, and apparently some h.s. or possible college credit is earned. But---is it for real? Has anyone on these boards ever had a son or daughter who has been invited to one of these things and done it? If so, could you give me your advice, please? Thank you so much! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riada Posted August 19, 2008 Share Posted August 19, 2008 My friend's daughter was invited to go. The information you got sounds accurate. The only draw back to it is that you have to pay for the trip. So you are responsible for doing fundraisers to raise enough money for her to go. In a later letter they will tell you exactly how much it is. For my friend's daughter they had to raise $5,800. They got about half through community fundraisers and the other half they came up with themselves. I can say that she had a spectacular time (she was in sixth grade). She learned a lot and seen things she otherwise would not have been able to experience. Congratulations to your daughter for being nominated by someone. That in itself is an honor! Best wishes for her trip should you decide to accept. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle in MO Posted August 19, 2008 Author Share Posted August 19, 2008 was your friend's daughter given any h.s. or college credit for her trip? Overall, did your friend and her daughter feel that the trip was indeed worthwhile? I was just wondering if this was some really expensive way to flatter parents and their students. I tend to be a bit suspicious, and I wouldn't want to jump for it unless it was really worthwhile. Thanks for any and all information! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted August 19, 2008 Share Posted August 19, 2008 I know there was a thread about PtP a while back--you might want to search sometime in the July posts, I think. My niece went to Australia with PtP in July. It was a great trip, but yeah, it seems like it's just a nice tour, with no credit or anything extra special about it. Just going overseas with a group of young folks sure seems like fun. Expensive, interesting, fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle in MO Posted August 19, 2008 Author Share Posted August 19, 2008 I know there was a thread about PtP a while back--you might want to search sometime in the July posts, I think. My niece went to Australia with PtP in July. It was a great trip, but yeah, it seems like it's just a nice tour, with no credit or anything extra special about it. Just going overseas with a group of young folks sure seems like fun. Expensive, interesting, fun. I did a search under "People to People" and "Student Ambassadors"; the search just yielded this thread and one other, which wasn't the discussion I was thinking of. I think that parent had very similar questions to mine---is this for real? is it real credit? or, just another way to get parents' money? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colleen Posted August 19, 2008 Share Posted August 19, 2008 Yes, People-to-People is indeed a "real" organization. I don't think it's that unusual to be nominated, to be honest, so I didn't see it as anything particularly special in that sense. A few of my best friends and I went on a trip in 1986, after our junior year in high school. There were about 15-20 students on the trip, all of us from the Seattle-Tacoma region, and two chaperones who were local teachers. We had several orientation meetings beforehand where we were provided with information about our trip in general and destinations in particular. We began by spending a few days in Washington, DC, where we stayed at the GWU campus, toured the Capitol, met with various politicos, etc. We then spent nearly a month in Europe, traveling to Germany, Austria, Italy, Hungary, and Yugoslavia. Our itinerary included a wide variety of cultural and political outings ~ a briefing at the UN in Vienna; an evening cruise on the Danube; attending an opera; touring museums; etc. We stayed in hotels, for the most part, and also had two short homestays. I earned most of the money for the trip through my high school job. I know a young woman here locally went on a trip recently and did fundraisers. It wasn't inexpensive, but when one considers all that's included, I think it was reasonable. I honestly don't know if it's credit-worthy; I didn't think to look into that at the time. I'm sure it looked good on my college admissions paperwork, though. As much as I enjoyed that trip, I have mixed feelings about it. I do think People-to-People is a good organization, but I wouldn't be real keen on just sending my boys off with a group of unknowns ~ particularly at a young age. I'm amazed when I hear of students as young as 12 going on these trips. I think back in my day, this was just for high school students and that's as it should be, imo. Also, my friends and I were party girls and that was without question a highlight of our trip, if you get my drift. When I think back to it, the chaperones weren't real present. They were really nice women who were probably far too trusting. I have a lot of memories of the rich cultural and educational experiences and am particularly glad that I was able to travel in Eastern Europe in that era. I also have a lot of memories of clubbing in Belgrade, drinking plum brandy shots on the Croatian beaches, enjoying the Hofbrauhaus in Munich...and so on. But there were "good" kids on the trip, too, and your daughter would probably be one of those.:) Let me know if you have more questions! It's fun to think back to that time. ETA: I do think what distinguishes this trip from other possibilities is the "inside" connections we were able to make through P-to-P. I was (am) very interested in foreign affairs and politics and the trip allowed me to learn more about that in ways standard tours coudn't have offered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riada Posted August 19, 2008 Share Posted August 19, 2008 was your friend's daughter given any h.s. or college credit for her trip? Overall, did your friend and her daughter feel that the trip was indeed worthwhile? I was just wondering if this was some really expensive way to flatter parents and their students. I tend to be a bit suspicious, and I wouldn't want to jump for it unless it was really worthwhile. Thanks for any and all information! She did not receive any credits for her trip. It is more of a touring trip. They did have an instance with some of the kids sneaking out of hotel rooms and running around. I believe that my friend and her daughter were both excited that she went so that she was able to experience overseas. They otherwise would never have been able to offer that to her. The part they didn't enjoy was the fundraising. They gave them deadlines, for example they had to have 10% raised by November, 50% by March, etc. They were getting pretty stressed over not meeting the requirements for fundraising. It was up to them to publish things in the local newspapers to help gain funds. That part seemed like a pretty big hassle. The local school (participated in sports there) nominates 6 students each year and out of the 6 she was the only child to make the trip in 5 years. In my opinion, from watching them go through this, I would say that if you are highly dedicated to this and are willing to put forth a lot of time and money for the trip then it could be an exciting experience for your daughter. If you are only half hearted about it and thinking it will be all educationally based then it most likely will not meet your expectations. Keep us posted on how things turn out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle in MO Posted August 20, 2008 Author Share Posted August 20, 2008 information was very helpful indeed! As much as I enjoyed that trip, I have mixed feelings about it. I do think People-to-People is a good organization, but I wouldn't be real keen on just sending my boys off with a group of unknowns ~ particularly at a young age. This would be one of my concerns---who would be chaperoning the trip? I don't think dd would get into trouble, but she might not really be up to going away that far from home, kwim? For her, traveling that far away with a group of kids she didn't really know would be a big step. The college admissions benefit would be a great plus, though--- I'm sure it looked good on my college admissions paperwork, though. I think this aspect of a trip like that would indeed be fascinating: ETA: I do think what distinguishes this trip from other possibilities is the "inside" connections we were able to make through P-to-P. I was (am) very interested in foreign affairs and politics and the trip allowed me to learn more about that in ways standard tours coudn't have offered. I don't know if I would care for fundraising, either--- The part they didn't enjoy was the fundraising. They gave them deadlines, for example they had to have 10% raised by November, 50% by March, etc. They were getting pretty stressed over not meeting the requirements for fundraising. It was up to them to publish things in the local newspapers to help gain funds. That part seemed like a pretty big hassle. The local school (participated in sports there) nominates 6 students each year and out of the 6 she was the only child to make the trip in 5 years. In my opinion, from watching them go through this, I would say that if you are highly dedicated to this and are willing to put forth a lot of time and money for the trip then it could be an exciting experience for your daughter. If you are only half hearted about it and thinking it will be all educationally based then it most likely will not meet your expectations. Dh and I could try to help her pay for it, and she could work, too, but I'm sure that part of the reason for the fundraising, and your comments seem to concur, is the PR aspect of things for the organization itself. Not exactly my cup of tea. I'm surprised that your friend's daughter was the only child to make the trip in five years! Well, you've all given me a lot to mull over. At first it sounds exciting and flattering, but I think my preference would be for a trip that included perhaps some h.s. credits attached to the experience. Thank you both! I'll keep you posted if we decide to do this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colleen Posted August 20, 2008 Share Posted August 20, 2008 I don't think dd would get into trouble, but she might not really be up to going away that far from home, kwim? For her, traveling that far away with a group of kids she didn't really know would be a big step. Yes, that's something to consider. In my case, I was very independent, but with my own guys...I don't know. I guess after all the time homeschooling together, I see a family study trip as being an exciting alternative, kwim? There are advantages to both, of course. I'm sure that part of the reason for the fundraising, and your comments seem to concur, is the PR aspect of things for the organization itself. Not exactly my cup of tea. Oh, I wouldn't be into that, either. There was no public fundraising involved when I went; none of us did that. Things very well may have changed in the 20+ years since I went (golly, I feel old:tongue_smilie:), but I don't know that fundraising is a requirement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcconnellboys Posted August 20, 2008 Share Posted August 20, 2008 Yes, we know a girl who went to St. Petersburg just over a year ago. Her family was very happy with the experience. My son has been invited to go to Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji. We're going to attend the presentation in September to learn more about cost, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheLisa Posted August 20, 2008 Share Posted August 20, 2008 DS was invited when he was about 11. We went to the informational meeting- the presentation was very convincing- it looked like a great trip. So DS was heartbroken (so was I!) when we decided he was too young to go overseas (the $5000 + fee was also a factor!). I went to the message boards for info, also wondering how a homeschooled kid got nominated (PTP would not tell me). One poster replied that her severely disabled child was nominated. Otherwise, I heard mostly positive comments, not the life-changing experience promised at the info meeting, but as someone here said- expensive, interesting, fun. I liked the educational and political aspects of the program. We just got a letter for next year, maybe I would consider it. I would worry more about the supervision- I think the younger kids had more restrictions, which was a selling point for me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna Posted August 20, 2008 Share Posted August 20, 2008 Both my girls got invites but we were of the impression that they invite everyone and those with money, sign up; we didn't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NCMom Posted August 20, 2008 Share Posted August 20, 2008 There is a lot of info about them out there. My daughter was "nominated" through the athletic side. I did the research a while back but seem to remember that what most annoyed me was that they try to appear as if they are a non-profit but are not and they basically bought my daughter's name...no "nomination" was involved. hth, Georgia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelbelle7 Posted August 20, 2008 Share Posted August 20, 2008 My oldest dd went to Australia with them in the summer of 2005. It was the trip of a lifetime for her! She had to raise her own funds, but there was no this % by this date type thing. That is probably something that a particular leader group has instituted. The thing that you have to remember with P2P is that it is *not* a Christian group. It is a group of high school students, primarily public schooled, who may not share your convictions or standard of behavior. My dd was not happy with the conduct of many of her group, but she was determined to enjoy her trip. There was much educational value. If she had still been in high school (she went right after she graduated), I could have given her credit for it. She also could have received college credit for it, but we didn't file the paperwork in time. (Life got real crazy and I totally forgot.) It's a fantastic program and they offer wonderful travelling opportunities. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFSinIL Posted August 20, 2008 Share Posted August 20, 2008 Neither of my two teens with honors classes, AP scores etc get nominated. My son with autism, who can not read and is a first grade level at a "special" school for disabled kids has been nominated TWICE!!!!! Makes me wonder where they get the names of the kids who are "nominated", as no one who knows Joe would assume for a moment that he could function on such a trip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jane in NC Posted August 20, 2008 Share Posted August 20, 2008 I did the research a while back but seem to remember that what most annoyed me was that they try to appear as if they are a non-profit but are not...Georgia This annoyed me as well. My neighbor's daughter did one of those multiple countries in fifteen days P-to-P trips when she was fourteen. In the months leading up to the trip, she mailed a canned letter to friends and family soliticiting contributions for her upcoming experience as an "ambassador" or whatever they call the student participants. What turned me off was that the language of the letter which suggested that the donation was a charitable contribution. It was not. I have a niece who taught in Namibia one summer who also sent out letters for fundraising. In her case, the money went to a 501-C. While I appreciate the tax deducation, there is another point here. P-to-P is a sight seeing trip. It is not the equivalent to some of the community service or missions projects that other kids do. Having said that, P-to-P is probably a fine thing for those who wish to have their kids travel with other American kids. My neighbor's daughter did not meet the locals, but she did visit some great sites. I would be interested in hearing about academic programs abroad in which any of your kids have participated. Jane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna Posted August 20, 2008 Share Posted August 20, 2008 My daughter was "nominated" through the athletic side. I did the research a while back but seem to remember that what most annoyed me was that they try to appear as if they are a non-profit but are not and they basically bought my daughter's name...no "nomination" was involved. When each of my girls received letters from them, the only way that I could see where they got my girls' names was possibly through their applications for college because, clearly, my kids didn't do anything publicly that was so significant to warrant any special recognition from an elite group. They seem to be a genuine group who enjoy taking kids on trips for those who can afford to pay but as for the invitations signifying nomination, honor or recognition-- I doubt it, I seriously doubt it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna Posted August 20, 2008 Share Posted August 20, 2008 I called the number at the bottom of the letter, and they said a student either gets nominated by their teacher, or else it's based on college-entrance exam scores. I just read this again. That cannot be true. My youngest dd received her letter from them within the last few months. I did not nominate her and she did not take any college entrance exam. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NCMom Posted August 20, 2008 Share Posted August 20, 2008 I just read this again. That cannot be true. My youngest dd received her letter from them within the last few months. I did not nominate her and she did not take any college entrance exam. Agreed - mine was barely 12 (so no college entrance exams:001_huh:). They tried that teacher/coach stuff but since I am the teacher - didn't wash, lol. None of her coaches (current and previous) had every even heard off it so that line was an untruth as well. Seems like it's a great sightseeing/travel opportunity for some, but their business practices (and it is a business) are not ones I personally want to support. Georgia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle in MO Posted August 20, 2008 Author Share Posted August 20, 2008 I just read this again. That cannot be true. My youngest dd received her letter from them within the last few months. I did not nominate her and she did not take any college entrance exam. That's what I was told by the young gentleman I spoke with over the phone, but I think now that was just flattery. I'm really not sure where they got her name, because I didn't nominate her, either, although she did take a college entrance exam. I would rather they they spoke more up-front, stating something like, "We get a large database of student names, and your daughter was on the list." I may attend the organizational/informative meeting scheduled for the latter part of September, but I honestly think my oldest would be better served by an educational opportunity closer to home, or perhaps a summer of work. Thanks for all of your answers, though. It sounds like a wonderful opportunity for some kids, but I think the fundraising aspect alone would frustrate me, let alone dd. I think I would be the worst fundraiser/salesperson in the world! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna Posted August 20, 2008 Share Posted August 20, 2008 That's what I was told by the young gentleman I spoke with over the phone, but I think now that was just flattery. And I totally believe you. It was what they told you that I cannot believe. I agree, I also think it was flattery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelbelle7 Posted August 20, 2008 Share Posted August 20, 2008 I just read this again. That cannot be true. My youngest dd received her letter from them within the last few months. I did not nominate her and she did not take any college entrance exam. It may be possible that there is someone who regularly travels/chaperones with P2P who requested an invite for your dd. We have an aquaintance from a church we used to attend who has chaperoned with P2P for years. We had no idea that she did this, had never even heard of P2P. She sent an invite request for our dd to P2P because she thought that dd would enjoy the opportunity. This lady also homeschools her kids and we run into her here and there. While this may not cover all P2P's bases about where/how they gather their names, it might answer your question in a way you hadn't thought of before. Personally, I don't know why it really matters so much where/how P2P got your dc's names. They are offering an opportunity to you. You can choose to participate or not. I'd say to give them the benefit of the doubt if you are at all interested, go to their informational meeting and then determine for yourself what's best for your family/dc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colleen Posted August 20, 2008 Share Posted August 20, 2008 Personally, I don't know why it really matters so much where/how P2P got your dc's names. They are offering an opportunity to you. You can choose to participate or not. I agree. I think some people in this conversation are unnecessarily suspicious. Many of the questions and concerns raised here can be answered via the very slightest bit of research, including a cursory glance through the People to People website. Re business structure, People to People International, which was established by Dwight Eisenhower, is a non-profit. One aspect of the organization is the People to People Student Ambassador Program, which is managed by a public, for-profit entity. Btw, Michelle, I learned now that program is academically accredited and as such, students in grades 9 to 12 may earn academic credit for their participation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle in MO Posted August 20, 2008 Author Share Posted August 20, 2008 Personally, I don't know why it really matters so much where/how P2P got your dc's names. They are offering an opportunity to you. You can choose to participate or not. I'd say to give them the benefit of the doubt if you are at all interested, go to their informational meeting and then determine for yourself what's best for your family/dc. The informational meeting costs nothing and doesn't require any commitment. When I looked on their website, it looked like a bona fide opportunity. Colleen, thanks for letting me know that it is really accredited. That would make a big difference with me! I guess the bottom line is: would this be a good opportunity for my oldest? At this point, she's still somewhat quiet and retiring, so that's a big reason why I'm not sure it's the best fit for her. On the other hand, an opportunity for foreign travel doesn't come by your door every day. I will check into it further. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest risajs Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 Below is a letter I sent to the families of all delegates traveling to Europe with my son. Dear Parents of Delegates, I had a phone conversation with Wanda Lashbrook from the P2P national office. My conversation with her was so upsetting that I am still trembling and felt I had to share this information with you all as I would want someone to share it with me. Please note first of all, that the reason I sent my son on this trip was that he had such a wonderful experience on his first People to People trip two years ago to Australia. Justin is a Scholastic and Citizenship Honor Roll student, and, nonetheless, a newly turned 14 year old boy. On July 4th, at the BBQ and dance, Justin and another delegate were able to leave the event and go to an unsupervised location, making a decision which was in violation of their Ambassador Pledge. This I will not deny. As a result, Justin has lost his free time for the remainder of trip, was forced to write numerous letters of apology, and will have to shadow a leader the remainder of their time in Europe. I have no problem with there being reasonable consequences to my child's behavior. However, the fact that two children were able to separate from the group and to remain unsupervised for an undetermined amount of time is very disturbing. Even more disturbing is that I just learned from Ms. Lashbrook that P2P believes I should not expect them to know the whereabouts of children under their care at all times during trips to foreign countries and when confronted with such an occurrence will vehemently deny any wrong doing on the part of P2P or delegate leaders. While at a planned event my son and another child went missing for a period of time. However, since their absence went completely unnoticed, it is unclear exactly how much time passed. It is about this incident, which the leaders learned of over a week later, that I was contacted by Kristi and felt compelled to contact the P2P organization. Ultimately I was put into contact with Ms. Lashbrook who is responsible for writing the policy concerning delegate behavior and discipline. During my conversation with Ms. Lashbrook I voiced to her my concerns that my son and another delegate could disappear from the group and remain unaccounted for an unknown period of time (there is only the children's report of the time away). I told her that I was appalled that my child would be unaccounted for over any amount of time in an unsecured location overseas. In response to my concerns, at first Ms. Lashbrook actually suggested that the supervision was indeed adequate. However, confronted with the fact that this took place at a P2P sponsored event with children from 2 different delegations, it was difficult to deny that the children, by definition, were obviously not supervised closely enough. Ultimately, Ms. Lashbrook made the following comments that will prevent me from ever sending my son on another trip, my daughter on a trip, or nominating any other child (these statements were written down at the time of the conversation and while they are not direct quotes, they are VERY close paraphrases): Statement 1: It is impossible for 4 leaders to watch 40 children at all times. Statement 2: The children are free to go to the bathrooms on their own so he could have easily snuck off without a supervisor realizing he was gone. Statement 3: The delegates are required to sign a contract stating that they understand the behavior policy of P2P and thus any misbehavior by the children on the trip are their fault, and not the responsibility of the delegation leaders. Statement 4: Given my son violated a P2P rule, my parenting skills are to question, not their ability to supervise children. If I were told any of these statements ahead of time, I would have never sent my son overseas with this group. I would never send my 14 year old son to a foreign country without the expectation that the leaders would be able to keep constant track of my child with the exception perhaps of when they are to be sleeping in their rooms at night. I was assured at a pre-trip meeting and at the airport in a public statement by the delegation leaders that the delegates would NOT even be able to go to the bathrooms on their own without being accompanied by another delegate. I do not deny that my 14 year old son made a poor decision. However, he has never engaged in this behavior under my or anyone else’s supervision. He is a 14 year old (legally a minor), so signing a contract does not release the leaders from responsibility and liability for actions the delegates may engage in while under their care. If all it took was a contract to regulate the behavior of an unsupervised minor, adolescence would be a very easy period of time for parents and I would not have needed to pay People to People for adult supervision during this trip. Ms. Lashbrook's comments suggest that parents should not expect that delegation leaders will always supervise their children at unsecured locations in foreign countries. In fact, they rely on the pledge by children for their protection, not the supervision of adults. I would have never sent my son on a trip overseas if I knew that P2P did not take responsibility for their supervision at all times. After all, how long does it take for a child to experience harm if they are on their own in a foreign country? What amount of time is acceptable for P2P to not provide for the protection and supervision of my child? I thought you all should remain informed consumers and to have this information before making any future P2P plans for your children. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orthodox6 Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 I received these invites occasionally as a student, and again a couple of times during my professional life. I figured it was like those invitations to pay my own money to be printed up in the assorted "Who's Who in Whatever Field" volumes. A(n adult) friend of mine went to China last year on the P2P program (invited through her profession), and enjoyed herself tremendously. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orthodox6 Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 I have just read Risajs' post. Yowcks ! ! ! End of story for P2P, in my book ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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