People to People Student Ambassador Program

[allison443]

As for the question of standout factor...how many kids do you know that can put "student ambassador" to (fill in the country, there are itineraries all around the world) on their application?

Plus, I have spoken to a number of parents that have sent their children before...everyone of them were astounded by the change in their children when they came home. They were more confident, more comfortable in new situations, more comfortable inpublic speaking situations, more independenat and reliable. I do not see those as negatives. Those are skills/qualities that will benefit them all throughout their lives.

Please tell me that applicants do not put "student ambassador to (insert country here)" on their college applications based on a three week PTP trip.
I know people that attended and all the kids got a lot out of it. It can be a great experience. As I posted, I sent my high school DD to Spain for three weeks this past summer with an educational program where she earned college credits. I think any kind of trip abroad is a great experience for kids. I just think that people who are looking at PTP need to know all the facts.

I also don't agree with the fundraising letters suggested by PTP, but I guess others disagree.

 

[allison443]

Here is more info about the whos and whens...http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People_to_People_Student_Ambassador_Program

I clicked on your link and I noticed that at the top of the article it says "The neutrality of this article is disputed." There is plenty of other information out there if people want to look into it though.

 

[hentob]

Please tell me that applicants do not put "student ambassador to (insert country here)" on their college applications based on a three week PTP trip.

Yikes

My mommy was able to pay the travel agency for a vacation and I am going to put it on my college application

Oh dear.

As for the question of standout factor...how many kids do you know that can put "student ambassador" to (fill in the country, there are itineraries all around the world) on their application?]

Um, as many kids that can pay the travel agency

...my understanding is that the have modified how it is done and P2P contributed to charities that were supported by the family with the deceased child being nominated as an apology.

There have been many deceased children that have been nominated And, what about the pets? And what about the previous poster whose daughter was recently nominated by her fictitious screen name

They haven’t changed a darn thing.

My heart aches for the children that actually think they have been nominated for something

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

DD's friend has gone for the last 3 years. The trip is just that a trip. Her mother has paid a lot of money, but she wanted the trip. She received no educational value from the trips. Yes maybe social skills and she grew up because you have to. The chaperone's are sometimes only 1-2 years older than you. Not one school in our area gives credit for the trip even though the program states it will. The guidance counselor told her NOT to put it on college applications unless it states that is was something you do for pleasure. Every single girl in DD's school got an invite this year, and every student in DS's grade got one also.

 

[allison443]

The guidance counselor told her NOT to put it on college applications unless it states that is was something you do for pleasure.

Especially if the trip is taken in middle school..most college applications I have seen ask only for your high school activities. They don't care what you did before high school.

 

[KrnB]

Yikes

My mommy was able to pay the travel agency for a vacation and I am going to put it on my college application

Oh dear.



Um, as many kids that can pay the travel agency



There have been many deceased children that have been nominated And, what about the pets? And what about the previous poster whose daughter was recently nominated by her fictitious screen name

They haven’t changed a darn thing.

My heart aches for the children that actually think they have been nominated for something

Now, listen. This makes me angry. There's no need to be a jerk about this. Many people have had a fantastic experience with this organization, and I happen to be one of them.

I went to the USSR in 1991 on what was an amazing and extremely educational trip. It opened my teenaged eyes to a world I read about but didn't really grasp, a world that didn't revolve around me and my school or even the American culture I knew. That's a pretty darn valuable lesson to learn at 15.

And guess what, the "ambassadorship" and college credits I earned for the presentation I put together based on my experience ARE something I put on my college application, right along with my AP credits and the freshmen English credits I earned my senior year. The experience, combined with the other activities I did in school, was something that showed college administrators that I wasn't just a kid with good grades, I pushed myself to succeed and experience more. This is why I was given an Apprenticeship scholarship, a full ride scholarship and an opportunity to serve as an apprentice with campus faculty and staff.

If you don't like some of the practices of this organization, that's fine. You can certainly state that given the OP asked. But don't rip on the people who decided the cost was worth the experience you get from it.

 

[hentob]

They don't care what you did before high school.

And they don't care if you went on a trip that pets were invited to attend

Honestly, if you are thinking of putting P2P on an application, please save yourself the shame. It is like putting on Who's Who as an accolade

 

[KrnB]

DD's friend has gone for the last 3 years. The trip is just that a trip. Her mother has paid a lot of money, but she wanted the trip. She received no educational value from the trips. Yes maybe social skills and she grew up because you have to. The chaperone's are sometimes only 1-2 years older than you. Not one school in our area gives credit for the trip even though the program states it will. The guidance counselor told her NOT to put it on college applications unless it states that is was something you do for pleasure. Every single girl in DD's school got an invite this year, and every student in DS's grade got one also.

I didn't get credit from the trip itself, I got credits by submitting a journal from the trip and a video taped presentation about the trip describing the things we saw and the history and culture.

The chaperones on my trip were all teachers that were in their late thirties and forties.

 

[hentob]

Now, listen. This makes me angry. There's no need to be a jerk about this.

Jerk? Ouch.

Sorry to offend, but I will badger this awful travel agency every chance I get. They make me angry when they use deceitful practices to recruit parents and children to use their services and turn them a profit. They LIE and make it seem like you are being honored by being nominated, when in fact you are not being honored at all

I am glad that you had a fun trip with them, though! Good for you By the way—What college did you go to that accepted their “credits”?

 

[allison443]

I didn't get credit from the trip itself, I got credits by submitting a journal from the trip and a video taped presentation about the trip describing the things we saw and the history and culture.

I'm glad you had a great experience. As I said I know others who have, as well. What school did you get the credits from? Was it associated with PTP or did you seek it out on your own? Were they like CLEP (life experience) credits or did they give you a transcript listing an actual course (like Soviet history/culture or something). I'm just curious because I know kids who went and they didn't get college credits. Thank you.

 

[KrnB]

I'm glad you had a great experience. As I said I know others who have, as well. What school did you get the credits from? Was it associated with PTP or did you seek it out on your own? Were they like CLEP (life experience) credits or did they give you a transcript listing an actual course (like Soviet history/culture or something). I'm just curious because I know kids who went and they didn't get college credits. Thank you.

The credits were from Eastern Washington University. It wasn't directly tied to P2P, although we did receive the details about the course in the information packet. It is worth noting that I did this 17 years ago, so I would assume a lot has changed since then.

The course was History 299C, Comparative Cultures and Societies, a part of their International Field Studies Program. The course was for 3-5 credits depending on the amount of work you did - the journal, the presentation, an essay, etc.

I did get a transcript for it documenting that I received 5 credits and a 3.2 GPA for that quarter. The transcript noted that it was the USSR, but the information about the course was generic. I would assume this program also covered study-abroad programs.

 

[allison443]

The credits were from Eastern Washington University. It wasn't directly tied to P2P, although we did receive the details about the course in the information packet. It is worth noting that I did this 17 years ago, so I would assume a lot has changed since then.

The course was History 299C, Comparative Cultures and Societies, a part of their International Field Studies Program. The course was for 3-5 credits depending on the amount of work you did - the journal, the presentation, an essay, etc.

I did get a transcript for it documenting that I received 5 credits and a 3.2 GPA for that quarter. The transcript noted that it was the USSR, but the information about the course was generic. I would assume this program also covered study-abroad programs.

Thank you for the info! Very interesting! I think it is very helpful to enter college with some credits-it makes for more flexibility and options

 

[hentob]

The credits were from Eastern Washington University. It wasn't directly tied to P2P....

Oh. Ok.

That is worth repeating just so readers aren't mislead into thinking the travel agency (People to People) that provided you with fun trip (for a hefty price) gave you the opportunity to earn college credits.

Again, I am sure the vacation was a blast But, you have to see the point of us that believe it is wrong to use propaganda and deceit to get families to fall for the whole "Your child is so smart and special, they have been chosen to join us on this exclusive (not!) trip" garbage

 

[KrnB]

Jerk? Ouch.

Sorry to offend, but I will badger this awful travel agency every chance I get. They make me angry when they use deceitful practices to recruit parents and children to use their services and turn them a profit. They LIE and make it seem like you are being honored by being nominated, when in fact you are not being honored at all

I am glad that you had a fun trip with them, though! Good for you By the way—What college did you go to that accepted their “credits”?

Then rip the agency. Don't rip the people who participated in it - my parents and I deserve better than that, as do all the other parents and students. How they got my name never meant squat to me. Even after the "nomination," there was still an extensive application and interview process, which in itself was a good experience, as both are real world experiences.

And yes, I did get college credits from a real university - Eastern Washington U - and applied them to a real degree at another real university, not just some mail order degree certificate as I'm sure you are assuming.

 

[hentob]

Then rip the agency. Don't rip the people who participated in it - my parents and I deserve better than that, as do all the other parents and students.

Deserve better than what? I really don't know how I "ripped" you or your parents By stating it is silly to list “Student Ambassador” on a college application just because you were able to afford a trip with a travel agency that preys on families?

Don’t you agree that is silly to do?

Sorry if I offended you. Please extend my apologies to your parents as well.

 

[Katy Belle]

My son has received the nomination letter. He had a friend who went- who sent us a letter asking us to donate $ so he could go. We did donate, felt uncomfortable not. BUT we are living overseas and have taken our kids to about 11 different countries. We did not ask any of our friends to donate $ to help us do that.

Our kids learn tons on our trips. That is our goal. Our kids have tons of fun on our trips, another goal

I think the kids who go on these trips do have a great time. I do think they learn a bunch, as any of us do as we travel to different lands. Its just a personal choice, whether to fork out the $ for ONE of your kids to go or pay the same and take your whole family! I think for older kids, high school age, there is some benefit to doing a trip without mom and dad, but for Middle Schoolers... take them yourself!

Our friend who went had just completed 6th grade when he went. His counselors weren't the best. He had trouble exchanging $ and they didn't help him, so he was unable to buy souveniors, etc. Not that they should help him, but he was too young and inexperienced to know how to handle it himself. There were some issues on what the kids spent $ on...they supposedly all chipped in $ and bought the bus driver an expensive boom box, because he told them he needed one I'd be disappointed if my kid had these issues. Older kids, fine, 11 yr olds ... no way.

Once again, its a personal choice. I think most people who participate realize that anyone can go, that can pay the price. If they wish to put it on applications, fine. I'm sure the places that get the application know that anyone can go.

 

[Momsy]

PTP is actually Ambassadors Group / Programs a for profit traded on NASDAQ(EPAX). Ambassadors Group bought the rights to the PTP name from PTPI. People to People Organization was founded in 1961 by Joyce Hall (Not President Eisenhower) and became PTPI some years later. I doubt seriously that the President of the United States knows that PTPI uses his honorary chair to front a for profit.

Our beautiful boy, Tyler Hill, died on a PTP trip to Japan in June 2007. Another child died in New Zealand, yet Ambassadors Group/PTP et al continue to promote a solid safety record. The same teacher leader on the trip to New Zealand was also the 'delegation' (sic) leader in Japan. She said in her deposition that she intends to travel again with PTP next year.

There are no safety standards to protect your child when they travel abroad. Once you leave the border, there is no jurisdiction. For this reason we are lobbying for the T HILL BILL for Safety Standards. For more information see W W W .tylerhill. org

These students are not US Ambassadors. Neither PTPI or AGI are sponsors of the US Dept. of State. They are not delegates, they do not have a responsibility in the foreign country, rarely if ever do they meet a foreign diplomate. They are not ministers...they do not arrive with a message. They are simply...tourists. If you pay you can go.

College credit is not part of the initial fee. You must pay extra for high school or college credit beyond the trip fees, and no...not all high schools and colleges accept the credits.

Our son, Tyler Hill, had diabetes. According to the last report by his endocrinologist he was not 'excellent', he was not 'very good', he was not 'good' HE WAS EXTREMELY EXCELLENT! ...Never requiring professional medical help for extremely high or low blood sugars since functional insulin treatment 10 years ago. He was a spokesperson and poster child for diabetes. He was MVP in rugby. He was a hero at his high school for reporting a bomb threat. He was born on the anniversary of D-Day. Eisenhower was his personal hero. I feel like a SAP for believing in the "S"tudent "A"mbassador "P"rogram. Our beautiful boy is forever lost to us.

AGI dishonors him by blaming his death on diabetes complications. For a very good account of our reality... I DO RECOMMEND reading W W W . consumeraffairs.com/news04/2008/02/p2p_hill_ftc. html

AGI/PTP et al also dishonor him by turning his death into a statistically meaningless event...according to Peg Thomas, VP of AGI Student Ambassadors Programs. [You can see her video on the public relations page of W W W .tylerhill. org KXLY]

As for the 24 hour safety net center, when the teacher leader was watching the ER trauma doctor manually massage Tyler's heart after cardiac arrest, she phoned the 24X7 hotline to engage them to contact us. They told the teacher leader to do it herself.

We blame PTPI for duping us with a false promise of 'selectivity' signed by Mary Eisenhower and also Sir Edwin Bowden of the British Parliament (emeritus). We blame Student Ambassadors for giving us a false sense of safety when another student had died years before and others were injured. In the past 9 months, 3 lawsuits have been filed against the company(s). Ours, the Spiotta's and Wellman's for personal injury.

Did Ty have fun. Yes. We never saw him more excited or vibrant. We also never saw him alive again.

Having fun does not mean that the program is safe. Does it mean that they deliver on their promise of foreign dignitaries. NO. Does it mean this is a government sanctioned program Absolutely NOT! Ty's tour sometimes stayed 9 to a room with a common bath and ate fast food to cut costs so that the shareholders profits would be higher. All this for a trip in excess of $6 grand.

Am I angry. I am wounded. I will never recover. I will grieve my entire life. BUT I WILL STAND UP AND SPEAK OUT TO PREVENT THE TRAJEDY TO ANOTHER CHILD.

This is Tyler Russell Hill's proud mom...whom he affectionately referred to as:

MOMSY

Every day I live....closer to where he is.

 

[Wonderlandmom]

Am I angry. I am wounded. I will never recover. I will grieve my entire life. BUT I WILL STAND UP AND SPEAK OUT TO PREVENT THE TRAJEDY TO ANOTHER CHILD.

This is Tyler Russell Hill's proud mom...whom he affectionately referred to as:

MOMSY

Every day I live....closer to where he is.

I remember reading about this. My heart and my prayers go out to you.

 

[Momsy]

As part of the settlement of my family's lawsuit against Ambassadors Group, docleaf, Sue Stahr, Pat Veum-Smith, Angela Hanson, Josh Aberle, et al., I have been asked to request that your company remove statements from your website that may characterize, impugn, threaten, defame or disparage the defendants. The following correctly states the current state of the matter between the parties and may be used in place of any removed comments:

Wrongful Death Lawsuit for Tyler R. Hill Against Ambassadors Group, docleaf, et al., Officially Settled

MOUND, Minn., Aug. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Allen and Sheryl Hill of Mound, Minn., today announced the official settlement of their civil action for wrongful death of their 16-year-old son, Tyler Hill; invasion of privacy; and fraud against Ambassadors Group Inc., People to People International, docleaf Ltd. and other individuals. The Hills signed the release on July 30. The terms of the settlement are confidential. Tyler died on a People to People Student Ambassador Trip to Japan on June 29, 2007. Since Tyler's death, the Hill's have been on a passionate mission to protect other traveling youth and have sought accountability, justice, restitution and reform.

REFORM: Traveling Youth's Standards of Safety Legislation

The Hill's mission for the safety of kids participating in travel programs is far from over. They seek reform through a bi-partisan federal law and the Traveling Youth's Standards of Safety (TY's SOS legislation), and have engaged Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Congressman Erik Paulsen (R-MN). The pursued legislation is to ensure safety measures, sanctions and penalties are in place to protect traveling youth. No safety standards, sanctions or penalties exist to protect children's health and safety rights while entrusted to third parties, especially during travel programs. Children have been denied health care, died, hurt, abandoned, raped and suffered severe illnesses, while traveling with some student travel programs. There is currently no oversight committee watch dogging the student travel industry.

Danielle Grijalva, director for the Committee for Safety of Foreign Exchange Students, applauds the Hill's advocacy for safety and sanctions during travel abroad programs. She said, "I receive numerous complaints about other travel agencies from children and their parents about supervisors being intoxicated, molestations, children being denied health care when they are sick, unsanitary living quarters and 'unaccounted for' children. Parents need to inform themselves of the safety record of agencies and supervisors they are entrusting their kids to." Grijalva recommends parents contact foreign police authorities to report abuse and then contact local, state and federal agencies to report child endangerment. Until laws are passed to impose sanctions and potential imprisonment, Grijalva believes that egregious stories like Tyler's will remain all too common.
About Tyler Hill

Tyler Hill was born on June 6, 1991, on the anniversary of D-Day, in Edina, Minn. A natural athlete and honor roll student, Tyler was a first year MVP for rugby, a tight end in football, a winger in hockey and an advanced scuba diver. He was a junior officer of the Mound Westonka High School DECA club, and he discovered and reported a bomb threat to school authorities and was recognized for his actions. Ty will be remembered for his big smile and tender heart. He passed away on June 29, 2007, while on a People to People Student Ambassadors trip to Tokyo, Japan, apparently from severe dehydration. For more of Tyler's story, visit Details About Tyler Hill’s Death During a People to People Student Ambassador Trip and the T Hill Bill for Safety Standards.

 

[JayhawkMomma]

Yes, I admit, there have been some unfortunate circumstances with their nomination process...my understanding is that the have modified how it is done and P2P contributed to charities that were supported by the family with the deceased child being nominated as an apology.

As for the question of standout factor...how many kids do you know that can put "student ambassador" to (fill in the country, there are itineraries all around the world) on their application?

Plus, I have spoken to a number of parents that have sent their children before...everyone of them were astounded by the change in their children when they came home. They were more confident, more comfortable in new situations, more comfortable inpublic speaking situations, more independenat and reliable. I do not see those as negatives. Those are skills/qualities that will benefit them all throughout their lives.

Here is more info about the whos and whens...http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People_to_People_Student_Ambassador_Program

Yeah, you can say they've improved their nomination process all you want to. All I know is that my cousin just got an invitation to go to Australia. He's 38 (yup, THIRTY EIGHT) years old. I don't think they've improved anything. It's an overpriced travel agency. Your child will probably enjoy the trip, what child wouldn't, but you can do better for less in my opinion.