People to People Ambassador program??

[aja319se]

My son got a letter for the People to People Student Ambassador program traveling to Europe in 2012. Does anyone have any feedback in regards to the program? From any research I've done it appears to be legitimate just expensive. I believe his would be 5k for 2 weeks, but that includes food, air, hotel, and activities.
It seems that the foundation is big on fundraising and that kind of concerns me. I've seen on this board in the past people being angry about being solicited to help fund a child's travel. I'd be perfectly ok letting him do some fundraising on his own, setting up booths and offering to do various tasks for friends, neighbors, and families. Any feedback would be super helpful!! Thanks

 

[msmayor]

It may indeed be a form of 'educational travel', but in no way, shape or form would I consider having a child of mine "fundraise" for it.

If a parent wants to commit that much $$ to a trip for their child, it should come out of their pocket 100%.

If a kid is fundraising for a cause to raise money for a charity, I have no problem giving. But so they can travel? No...

I also found it annoying that when my son's friend opted to do this program, he was encouraged to give up names of his friends who might be interested. Apparently they can save on their fees if their friends opt to go too. I didn't like getting bombarded with the mail, and felt that it was only a way to get more kids to sign up for their pricey trips.

 

[WhitGB]

My brother went many years ago to England, Scotland and Ireland. The program was expensive (and no he did not fundraise for it) but it was probably a turning point for him. He is ADHD and was not great in school. This program allowed him freedom to travel, meet new people (in the program) and with his host family. It was very well done and ran well out of the WI area.

I cannot give specifics since I was not the one traveling but I did go to the informational session with him and my parents and was impressed.

 

[AnjieNet]

I did the People to People Student Ambassador program way back in 1990 and it was an experience I will always cherish. I loved the orientation in DC and then the homestays we had in France and Czech were just amazing. We traveled to six different countries abroad. Switzerland was gorgeous, Barcelona was thrilling (they had started building the Olympic stadiums), Germany and Austria are unforgettable. How many 17 year olds can say they've done that? But they could have taken a couple of cathedrals off the tour though. I swear we saw a million of them.

They did promote fundraising but we never did anything like that. I had a job, took on some babysitting in my spare time and saved up what money I could. My parents paid a portion as well and my grandfather gave me a loan for what we couldn't come up with. I paid him back every penny over the next year. If your son wants to do little things on his own to raise money like mowing lawns, taking odd jobs, all the power to him.

If you and your son can find a way, I highly recommend the program. Just make sure he's responsible enough to handle drinking alcohol responsibly if you sign the waiver. Many kids in our group took their freedom in that regard just a bit too far on numerous occasions. My parents did NOT sign the waiver but no one kept me from drinking if I wanted to. I was just smart enough to do it in moderation. Who wants to be yacking on the bus all day?

 

[brymolmom]

Great experience? Sure thing. However, most every student would be opting for this if their families could afford it. That is the question here.

OP - if you can afford it and your son wants to do it - great! I'm sure he'll learn a lot and experience a lot. As for fundraising, for this type of thing - I know I would be leery of asking others to contribute for it (hey - unless you guys WANT to contribute to my next trip to the Mouse! lol). If he wants to EARN money for it - have him mow lawns or get a part-time job to earn some of the money to offset it.

I have heard of people doing this program and other similar and setting up a web site and asking family/friends to send money. I can't even imagine! I feel bad even asking people to support me when I do the Multiple Sclerosis Walk - and that is for an actual CAUSE!

Just tread carefully...or you might have a bunch of people coming and asking you for contributions for their next trip.

 

[lukenick1]

We got one too for my 10yr old . Who would send their kid so young? Not me!

 

[ceecee]

DD has gotten the letter every year since 4th grade. Now that she's older and it's England, Wales and Ireland....All places she wants to go, we will go to the info meeting. Her friend went to Alaska and it was $5000. If it's the same price we could go as a family, she probably won't go. Europe is on our to do soon list. My step-sister is English and lives in England it would be a lot cheaper to send to visit! 21 days is a LONG time too.

 

[wtrmlnlabs]

I went in 10th grade to Australia with it and LOVED it!!! It was an amazing experience. Of course that was a long time ago, it was $3000 then, plus my air travel to LA from PA. My mom sewed and she made these big stuffed bunnies and sold them to cover the cost for myself. We also went to the local Kiwanis and they donated a small amount to my trip. When I came back I did a presentation type thing to them about it. I personally don't see what's so bad about fundraising for it. Kids do it to go on senior trips around here all the time. If he's willing to work for it, great for him! It's a great experience and I'm so glad I did it!

 

[aja319se]

Thanks for the replies. I'm definitely down to let him earn money to go. Mow lawns, babysit, have a yard sale. It was that whole fundraising that made me leery. I would feel so akward asking for $$! If he'd rather get money for Christmas or his birthday then be it but to just ask for it?
I did see a few ideas that were pretty easy too and didn't require people to shell out $ such as- collect toners and old cell phones for $ or host a gold party where he could get part of the commission.

I'm happy to hear of people who have had a positive experience as well. From what I saw on the itinerary they really jam pack a lot of stuff in and there is no way my family of four could afford to go for $5k and try all of those experiences.

 

[PRaffen]

My DD went on this program (France, Greece) when she was a junior in high school.

I have mixed feelings about the program. During my DD's trip, I felt her chaperones did not do a proper job. DD's home stay was awful. (After I wrote People to People of her experience in the home, the family was removed from the program. They should never have been approved to be a host family in the first place. Very poor investigating on PtoP part)

On the other hand, I felt it was great in teaching DD independence. She came home with more self-confidence and a renewed appreciation of home and family. The trip (almost three weeks) was about 5 days too long. All the kids were more than ready to come home earlier.

If your child does this, really get to know the chaperones, how they will treat the children, what their expectations will be, etc. and find out how thoroughly the host families were veted.

 

[Cooky]

.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

OP,

It is legitmate in the respect that you pay your money and your child gets a nice trip to wherever. But you should realize it is in no way a special academic honor to get an "invitation". People have posted numerous times on who they know who have received invitations and they were not high achieving scholars.

The company at one time was associated with Dwight Eisenhower and promoting cultural exchange and education, but now it is just a travel agency. The letters are just how they advertise.

This pretty much sums it up for us. I wouldn't call it a scam - I think they deliver what they say they will - but it is basically a for-profit student-centered travel agency. Nothing wrong with that, but you should know what you are getting into.

We know people who have gone on some of the trips, and they have had a great time. DD has gotten the letters for a few years, but I am not sending her to Europe without a parent (or trusted friend or teacher that we know personally) at 12 years old.

It can be a great experience for kids who are ready to be away from home for that long, but I do have some concerns about the level of chaperoning. For our family, we have chosen to take both kids to Europe when DD8 is a little older. The Austria trip would be about $6500 for just DD12.

One word of caution - friends have told us that the info meeting is pretty high pressure - they show DVDs of all the great experiences before any costs are discussed, so the kids are very excited about the trip before their parents know the bottom line.

 

[dzorn]

just googled it this morning. No way would I send my child. The student child ratio was way to high an when I read about the parents suing because their son died on a trip after requesting medical care that was not given.

For those that went as younger individuals remember programs change and not always for the better.

Denise in MI

 

[McIntoshMango]

It is a scam of a travel company with questionable chaperoning. I also can't imagine sending an ADHD child to be covered by strangers!!

And begging money for a luxury trip in this day and age is beyond tacky.

 

[tjctoy]

My son participated in the P2P Japan trip five years ago and I have nothing but positve things to say about the program. For my son this was like a senior trip and we asked family members to help us cover the costs as well as we spent a year doing fund raisers. The expense is high the reward for the child priceless.

It has been 5 years since my sons trip and if you ask him he would talk your ear off about the trip. I see most people replying have no idea what the program is all about.

My son received Social Studies credit for the trip which let him take other classes he wanted to take in high school. The trip report was also used for his senior project which was a big help.

All the chaperones have been well trained and most are teacher. The students go thru a year long training program, which was very informative and really taught the students about the culture they would see. My son has mantained these friendships he made thru P2P.

Take the time to go to a meeting and ask questions, meet people who went on a trip and see what they have to say.

The program is and was fantastic.

Tom

 

[snoopyluvsdis]

I just got a letter today from my nephew asking for a contribution for a trip through Discovery Student Adventures. Its an 8 day trip to Costa Rica with a cost of $3700. All I can say is holy cow! We won't be contributing. he is 12 BTW.

 

[okeydokey]

They issue invitations to just about anyone so they can make money. If a family member asked me to help pay for a child's vacation, I would laugh at them.

My family is going to the beach next month, maybe I should ask other people to pay for the trip.

 

[McIntoshMango]

There are many things that I have not dine in my life that I know are scams. When companies use marketing to young People with lies "your teacher recommended you" etc., it is the first indicator. When they explain how to solicit funds for an overpriced tour that is another red flag. There have been many problems with underage drinking. Some may have a fun trip. Statistically speaking it would be extraordinary if not. That doesn't make it a good program.

 

[ceecee]

Our letter doesn't state anything about academics or a teacher recommending her. DD and several of her friends get them every year. I only know one of her friends who went and she had a great time. I would never ask anyone to fund the trip if that is what the fundraising is....I am concerned about the drinking. Where do they get that and what is the adult to stident ratio?

 

[AnjieNet]

Our letter doesn't state anything about academics or a teacher recommending her. DD and several of her friends get them every year. I only know one of her friends who went and she had a great time. I would never ask anyone to fund the trip if that is what the fundraising is....I am concerned about the drinking. Where do they get that and what is the adult to stident ratio?

I'm sure it's all different now since I went 20 years ago, but we had several free nights, many during homestays, where we were able to go out and do whatever. The legal drinking age is/was 16 so access to alcohol for those who wanted it was very easy to come by, usually just by walking into a pub or offered by the host at dinner. And there wasn't always an adult sponsor around to see that those who were drinking were allowed to do so by their parents. I admit to having a few drinks even knowing that my parents did not approve and sign the liquor waiver. I told them about it afterwards. While they weren't thrilled they were happy enough that I acted responsibly and didn't get out of hand. And truthfully, if I'd wanted alcohol here in the US, it would have been easily come by as well. I think it boils down to how much you trust your child to do what's in his/her best interests. I was always trustworthy for the most part and acted that way abroad though several of my fellow travelers did not. You know your child best.

As to the ratio, I'm not sure if there's a set ratio but we had three combined groups traveling together. Our group was 6 students to one adult, another group was around 14 students to 2 adults and another 10ish students to one adult. But things could have and probably have changed in 20 years.