People to People Student Ambassador Program

[golfgal]

So you mean to tell me that if your child was given an opportunity to be a student ambassador, and something like this would look great on a college application, that you wouldn't give the whole sponsor thing a try? I'm not trying to go with her, I'm not trying to take a free trip to WDW, I'm trying to see if there's a possibility where my child could experience something that a lot of children don't. She works hard in school, she even got a scholarship to a private school this year and I don't see why I can't consider it.

The only thing a college admission officer is going to say about having a PtoP trip on her application is "why on earth did her parents waste the money on this"? It isn't going to do ANYTHING to help a kid get into college. PtoP is a TRAVEL AGENCY. The kids aren't "ambassadors" to anything. It is a marketing scheme and nothing more.

 

[kacaju]

we just recieved one of these letter. Funny thing, it was addressed to my dh and myself. Inside they listed no name, it just said *your daughter was nominated* We have 3 daughters....it went right in the trash..

 

[barkley]

The only thing a college admission officer is going to say about having a PtoP trip on her application is "why on earth did her parents waste the money on this"? It isn't going to do ANYTHING to help a kid get into college. PtoP is a TRAVEL AGENCY. The kids aren't "ambassadors" to anything. It is a marketing scheme and nothing more.

the educational credits they offer are questionable as well.

the only two places they list as offering credit is a college ptp owns, and eastern washington university (where my husband is currently a student). if you go to the ewu website the courses are offered to anyone-ptp or not, but it's clear in the information that while ewu offers credit (and not cheaply i might add, b/c unless you're a washington state resident you're going to be paying non resident tuition which is hecka high, and there are mandatory fees and supplies that are required) that is considered transferable-it's likely only going to be accepted (if another university will) as elective units, AND as a non highschool grad. there are minimum gpa/sat requirements to apply in addition to supporting documentation and a reccomendation/justification letter for being allowed to enroll from the student's highschool principal (so it's not just something a kid can easily sign up for). the college ptp owns says on it's website that they don't guarantee any other college will accept their units-and further, as far as high school units go (if a kid opts for this route) they will provide a transcript for a high school but if they accept it or not for credit is up to the school and district (and their classes don't look cheap either).

oh-and neither my dd's highschool nor any college i ever attended would have accepted course units that are only graded as 'pass' or 'no pass' which is what ptp's school grades on for their 'student ambassador' coursework (the only pass/fail courses my universities ever offered were continuing education units-and those were for professionals who already had a degree or certification so we got credit 'hours' not traditional credit 'units').

 

[momof5boys]

Sorry I didn't have time to read all the posts. Here is my take on it. Most of my kids have received at least 1 of these offers. Starting with my 15yo when he was your daughters age. He had been in student council which is how I think they got his name. Others had been in a bowling league and they had been invited to bowl in other countries through people to people.
I know of 2 coworkers that have sent their children and they had a good experience. I decided that I would not allow any of my kids to travel at such a young age(coworker kids were 16 when they went to China) I figure the invites will keep coming(and they have). Right now the only one I would consider to allow to go would be my 15yo but I would probably make sure I have the money to pay for it myself. Said coworkers actually footed most of their kids costs as most businesses wouldn't donate.
Just know this is NOT a once in a lifetime opportunity, she will be invited again now that they have her name. Perhaps you would like to wait until she is older. The trips always seem to be to Australia, China and Europe as far as I can tell(since I've received at least 10 invites in the past 6 years) and thay have several a year(coworkers kids were going to China, same itenerary just 2 weeks apart!)
Good luck with your decision!

 

[MichelleVW]

i'm not surprised by your dn's experience. as i've posted before on this topic-we live very near ptp's headquarters, and ptp runs classified ads in the local newspapers on what seems like a constant basis. they solicit 'leaders', and a variety of other titled positions that indicate those hired will travel with students-but what is extreemly telling is they run in the classified sections titled 'unskilled labor', and 'telemarketing'. the only qualifications i've seen expressed in their employment ads is a highschool diploma and the ability to pass a drug screening

.

That's so different that the experience I had on my DD's trips. The leaders were all well respected high school teachers from the local area.

 

[agnes!]

Sorry I didn't have time to read all the posts. Here is my take on it. Most of my kids have received at least 1 of these offers. Starting with my 15yo when he was your daughters age. He had been in student council which is how I think they got his name. Others had been in a bowling league and they had been invited to bowl in other countries through people to people.
I know of 2 coworkers that have sent their children and they had a good experience. I decided that I would not allow any of my kids to travel at such a young age(coworker kids were 16 when they went to China) I figure the invites will keep coming(and they have). Right now the only one I would consider to allow to go would be my 15yo but I would probably make sure I have the money to pay for it myself. Said coworkers actually footed most of their kids costs as most businesses wouldn't donate.
Just know this is NOT a once in a lifetime opportunity, she will be invited again now that they have her name. Perhaps you would like to wait until she is older. The trips always seem to be to Australia, China and Europe as far as I can tell(since I've received at least 10 invites in the past 6 years) and thay have several a year(coworkers kids were going to China, same itenerary just 2 weeks apart!)
Good luck with your decision!

Started getting letters last year. This year we've been getting letters for DD to go to Japan...Why Japan? I don't know.

agnes!