People to People please share your child's experience

[Magic Mom]

The "invitation" angle is a maketing ploy. They want people to think their child was specially selected for this phenomenal opportunity because of their superior academic and leadership qualities. It's really just an expensive teen travel tour. DS got an invitation too.

 

[KathyTX]

Yep, overpriced travel agency selling trips masquerading as some sort of academic "honor", and talking about "student ambassadors" and listing lots of former presidents.

DS just got one today, for a trip to Australia, New Zealand and Fiji.

They sell the trips in meetings akin to time share high pressure sales meetings, making you feel like it was an honor for your child to be chosen, when their "search" really consists of any means they can manage to put a mailing list of kids together.

Do a web search before handing over any money... buyer beware!

 

[MichelleVW]

Yep, overpriced travel agency selling trips masquerading as some sort of academic "honor", and talking about "student ambassadors" and listing lots of former presidents.

DS just got one today, for a trip to Australia, New Zealand and Fiji.

They sell the trips in meetings akin to time share high pressure sales meetings, making you feel like it was an honor for your child to be chosen, when their "search" really consists of any means they can manage to put a mailing list of kids together.

Do a web search before handing over any money... buyer beware!

It's not like they hold you at the door and don't let you leave until you sign. They tell you up front how much it costs, and I didn't find it high pressure at all. It was an awesome experience for my DD and I don't regret sending her on both her trips at all.

I do know that her teacher did nominate her, and I do know this teacher did not nominate everyone. She also had to do an interview before she went. It probably didn't matter since they wanted my money anyway, but the interview was a good experience for future job interviews and also interviews she has had for groups she wanted to join in college.

Like I said before, I know from previous experience that it is an amazing program and if you have the money, I say go for it!

 

[TEENEE]

It's not like they hold you at the door and don't let you leave until you sign. They tell you up front how much it costs, and I didn't find it high pressure at all. It was an awesome experience for my DD and I don't regret sending her on both her trips at all.

I do know that her teacher did nominate her, and I do know this teacher did not nominate everyone. She also had to do an interview before she went. It probably didn't matter since they wanted my money anyway, but the interview was a good experience for future job interviews and also interviews she has had for groups she wanted to join in college.

Like I said before, I know from previous experience that it is an amazing program and if you have the money, I say go for it!

I agree with every word.

 

[AndreaDM]

My middle daughter who was in detention every other week in Jr High and High School was "nominated" and "invited" for these trips numerous times. It's a travel agency, and for what the trips cost, our entire family could have have taken the trip, yes, even to Europe, etc. with my keen eye for travel deals. I am so turned off every time I get a letter in the mail from a student asking for money for one of these trips (our pastor's daughter did this and sent these letters to every one in church). We fund our own trips and I certainly won't fund other people's, even if it is an "honor" to go.

 

[MichelleVW]

My middle daughter who was in detention every other week in Jr High and High School was "nominated" and "invited" for these trips numerous times. It's a travel agency, and for what the trips cost, our entire family could have have taken the trip, yes, even to Europe, etc. with my keen eye for travel deals. I am so turned off every time I get a letter in the mail from a student asking for money for one of these trips (our pastor's daughter did this and sent these letters to every one in church). We fund our own trips and I certainly won't fund other people's, even if it is an "honor" to go.

Yes, but a trip with 40 other teenagers is way more fun for a teenager than a trip with the family. Like I said....if you have the money, send them. My girls are military brats and have been to many different countries visiting their dad, but nothing beats the experiences that DD19 had on her P2P trips.

So far on these threads I always see two sides...One side that has sent their kids and never regretted it for a second, and one side that has never sent their kids and call it a scam. Where are the people that have sent their kids and thought it was horrible? Not, you know someone who's kid didn't have a good time...your own child has gone and you think it's a bad deal. Where are those people??

 

[barkley]

Yep, overpriced travel agency selling trips masquerading as some sort of academic "honor", and talking about "student ambassadors" and listing lots of former presidents.

DS just got one today, for a trip to Australia, New Zealand and Fiji.

They sell the trips in meetings akin to time share high pressure sales meetings, making you feel like it was an honor for your child to be chosen, when their "search" really consists of any means they can manage to put a mailing list of kids together.

Do a web search before handing over any money... buyer beware!

what i find offensivie is the "target marketing" this company and similar others will encourage teachers (particularly those who want to take advantage of the travel perks offered to educators) to base their "nominations" on. academics and leadership is clearly not the overriding criteria in selecting one student over another

 

[MrsPete]

I know several students who've done it, and without exception they've said it was wonderful. But then, how many people do you know who've been to Europe or Austrialia and HAVE NOT said the same thing?

When my daughter was "accepted" -- funny how she was accepted into this "prestigious" thing without even knowing about it -- I told her no. For the price, the whole family could almost take a similar trip!

 

[barkley]

Yes, but a trip with 40 other teenagers is way more fun for a teenager than a trip with the family. Like I said....if you have the money, send them. My girls are military brats and have been to many different countries visiting their dad, but nothing beats the experiences that DD19 had on her P2P trips.

So far on these threads I always see two sides...One side that has sent their kids and never regretted it for a second, and one side that has never sent their kids and call it a scam. Where are the people that have sent their kids and thought it was horrible? Not, you know someone who's kid didn't have a good time...your own child has gone and you think it's a bad deal. Where are those people??

look at the consumer affairs website, there are the archived news reports where parents of actual participants are interviewed.

there are also articles that talk of issues last summer where kids went missing, and ptp's official response to the parents was that they should'nt be expected to keep tabs on kids at all times-that 4 delegation leaders can't be expected to be able to know about the whereabouts of the 40 kids under their care at all times. there's the case of an 11 year old whose mom was only told by ptp that her dd had her foot run over by a small car, did not break anything and was just given otc meds. it was'nt until the child returned home bruised all over that the mom found out from the child that she was hit full force (her whole body) by a car and rushed to an e/r.

i tend to think the ptp trip experiences are like the ones that were offered at my high school-some of which friends participated in. they LOVED them, and as far as their parents knew, everything went fine and according to plan. and for the most part they did-but there were situations that came up that they did'nt share with their parents, because they (1) did'nt want to get in trouble over it, (2) did'nt want their parents to reconsider letting them go on a subsequent trip. in some cases it was due to some of the teacher chaperones (who supervised minimaly, were only doing it to have the travel opportunities themselves), and in some cases it was teens being teens and taking advantage of the situation. suffice it to say that some of these former participants would never consider sending their own kids.

 

[MichelleVW]

look at the consumer affairs website, there are the archived news reports where parents of actual participants are interviewed.

there are also articles that talk of issues last summer where kids went missing, and ptp's official response to the parents was that they should'nt be expected to keep tabs on kids at all times-that 4 delegation leaders can't be expected to be able to know about the whereabouts of the 40 kids under their care at all times. there's the case of an 11 year old whose mom was only told by ptp that her dd had her foot run over by a small car, did not break anything and was just given otc meds. it was'nt until the child returned home bruised all over that the mom found out from the child that she was hit full force (her whole body) by a car and rushed to an e/r.

i tend to think the ptp trip experiences are like the ones that were offered at my high school-some of which friends participated in. they LOVED them, and as far as their parents knew, everything went fine and according to plan. and for the most part they did-but there were situations that came up that they did'nt share with their parents, because they (1) did'nt want to get in trouble over it, (2) did'nt want their parents to reconsider letting them go on a subsequent trip. in some cases it was due to some of the teacher chaperones (who supervised minimaly, were only doing it to have the travel opportunities themselves), and in some cases it was teens being teens and taking advantage of the situation. suffice it to say that some of these former participants would never consider sending their own kids.

It's just like anything....you can find bad reviews about everything. According to reviews on the internet, Beaches Negril is a drug infested cesspool. According to my family it's a wonderful, clean, safe vacation spot.

The chaperons on my DD's trips were excellent and I trusted them completely. After mandatory monthly meetings 10 months before the trip even started I felt comfortable in sending my child off with them. They did have medical emergencies on their trip and they were handled just fine.

Just because you can find bad reviews on the internet doesn't sway me from my first hand experience that it it is a wonderful experience and program.

Still waiting to here from a Dis parent that sent their child and regretted it.

 

[AndreaDM]

Yes, but a trip with 40 other teenagers is way more fun for a teenager than a trip with the family. Like I said....if you have the money, send them.

Absolutely! But, if one has to send letters to friends and family begging for money to go, they obviously DON'T have the money to go. And yes, a trip with other teens would be fun, but it would not happen at the expense of the rest of my family.

 

[MichelleVW]

Absolutely! But, if one has to send letters to friends and family begging for money to go, they obviously DON'T have the money to go. And yes, a trip with other teens would be fun, but it would not happen at the expense of the rest of my family.

I totally agree....which is why I sent my child both times with my own money. No one else in the family felt cheated either.

 

[dogluva]

Interesting...his teachers said they had submitted his name. I knew it wasn't a free program. Having been a travel agent for 27 years will help me to assess the value versus the actual cost.

My girls have gotten "invited" every year since they were 11. Their teachers never recommended them. They were girl scouts so I am thinking they were on some list.

I hate when people say their kids were recommended. All kids are.

 

[Mary*Poppins]

My girls have gotten "invited" every year since they were 11. Their teachers never recommended them. They were girl scouts so I am thinking they were on some list.

I hate when people say their kids were recommended. All kids are.

My son got an invitation last year too when he was ten, and I know his teachers didn't recommend him either!

 

[Pooh Crew]

Two of my four kids received "invitations" this week. Both are ten. My son said, "oh, that sounds fun!". And my daughter replied, "oh, please, Mom won't even let us ride the bus to school!". Yeah, I'm a little over protective. Mine won't be traveling to another country without me.

 

[yellowlabforever]

My sister went on the Washington DC trip with a friend of hers, and I think they had a great time. I got invited to the Austrailia trip last year, and I seriously thought about going on it (we went to the meeting). I felt the meeting to be informative, and non-high pressure, and in the end I decided not to go.

 

[aprilgail2]

DD received a letter to go to Australia next summer...umm, no she is 10!! Who in their right mind would send a 10 or 11 yo half way around the world on their own? Good grief.

My daughter got it when she turned ten too. She said she would like to go when she is older. My friends son went in 10th grade and had an awesome time! I would not send my child if I had to fund raise and ask other people to pay for my childs vacation though--if I can't pay for it she does not go.

 

[LJC1861]

I can't speak for People to People but I can speak for "Up With People" which is an AMAZING organization.
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Students ranging in age from 18-29 travel for 6 months to 1 year ( you choose) and visit one city each week doing community service, career development and a 2 hour musical show. Each 6 month tour does some time in the USA, a month in a third world country and some time in Europe or Asia. Each week they partner with various community organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Ronald Mc Donald House, Goodwill and many others to help in any way that they can. Ticket sales from the stage show go directly back to the community organizations.

Students are given numerous opportunities throughout the experience to learn as much as possible the area they are in by visiting schools, nursing homes, civic organizations, hospitals and many other places doing community service and something they call "community impact". Students stay with host families while on tour and this is one of the best parts of the experience....living with different families all over the world.

I traveled with Up With People in 1981 and the program has grown SO much since then. The community service aspect is so much richer now as it the opportunity to tailor the tour for each student's particular interests. Is the student interested in nursing or teaching? Then they can visit hospitals and schools everywhere they visit and do mini internships. There are opportunities to learn stage craft ( and no audition is required....you can be taught to sing and dance!), promotion and marketing, etc. while on tour.

Students are required to bring 3 pairs of work gloves and keep a journal while on tour. For me, my year was a life changing experience and 30 years later I still keep in touch with more than half of my 100 cast mates and some of my host families.

For more information check out www.upwithpeople.org

Linda