People to People Student Ambassador Program

[NYPDwife]

My DD (10) received a letter inviting her to become a SA in Australia during the summer of 2010. It would be a 20 day trip with 5/6 graders. I'm wondering if anyone here has ever sent their child on one of these? It says it's a once in a lifetime opportunity and I would love for her to experience it. My problem is the cost. I don't have $7k to send her but I've heard that you can sponsor the trip. If anyone has ever done this, can you help me with the names of some sponsors? Thanks ever so much!!!!

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

There are people on the boards that have participated so I'm sure you'll get some answers. Bottom line though, it appears to be a glorified travel agency for kids. And "sponsors" means that you send a letter to your family and friends asking for money to send your kid on vacation.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

If you don't have the money, I would not consider it.

 

[Jennasis]

It's nothing more than a travel agency. you could plan a trip yourself for WAY less. I will stop short of calling it an outright SCAM, but it isn't anything particularly special. It's just a travel agency. There have been numerous topics on this here. i bet if you searched for them you'd fins a whole bunch.

The trip itself is not bad...just way too expensive for what it is....a vacation (that they want you to find other people to pay for...woops...I mean "sponsor").

 

[NYPDwife]

Someone said something about companies sponsoring. I'm not sure if it's a glorified travel company but you never know.

 

[NYPDwife]

If you don't have the money, I would not consider it.

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.

 

[Jennasis]

Someone said something about companies sponsoring. I'm not sure if it's a glorified travel company but you never know.

Yes...it is. Well, maybe not "glorified". Just a regular ol' travel agency!
It doesn't "look good" on a college application because all the college's know the "program" is total bunk.

Corporate sponsorship means they want you/your kid to send letters to local companies asking them for money to send your kid on vacation.

I wonder if that'd work for my next trip to WDW?

 

[The Mystery Machine]

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.

No. I have a dd in college. They don't care about you going on a trip. There are kids in college that travel the world and it still doesn't matter.

 

[KAMLEM]

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?

It's not a unique opportunity and the colleges know that.

 

[NYPDwife]

No. I have a dd in college. They don't care about you going on a trip. There are kids in college that travel the world and it still doesn't matter.

It's not just about traveling the world, but immersing with other students of a different culture. Besides, it's not just a family trip, but a trip with other educators and leaders and you're there to learn.

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

You can certainly consider it but it really is just a travel agency. They don't do anything really special like speaking to other children their age or doing service work in another country. They are touring. Look into it some more. My Dsis initially signed up my DN but then backed out when she started looking into it some more. And as far as getting the offer letter, my DSD received one and not only had she moved out of our district a couple of years earlier, she had failed a grade and was barely squeaking by the current grade she was in. It truly isn't an "honor" to receive one of those letter.

Heck, we received a letter for my other DSD's son that she gave up for adoption about 10 years ago. He hasn't lived in my home since he was 4 weeks old.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

It's not just about traveling the world, but immersing with other students of a different culture. Besides, it's not just a family trip, but a trip with other educators and leaders and you're there to learn.

I am not saying it is not a great learning experience. I am saying that if I did not have the money, my child would not be going for a 7000 trip.
That is outrageous.

 

[java]

My son has been getting this "opportunity" for years. I felt it was an overpriced Teen Travel program. jmho

 

[clovergirl5]

dd13 did this the fall of 2008 to Washington D.C. She had alot of fun and learned alot. She enjoyed taking this trip with many peers of her own age and grade. It is expensive. We ended up making it into a family vacation with her going with PTP and us going on our own. We were able to visit her every morning at her hotel before she left for the day.

If you had any concerns about the program, I would suggest calling them directly. They also have a website available too and the last I checked, message boards for alumni, Im sure you would be able to get on there and ask ?'s. Its been awhile, but the last time I was there, there was a few leaders who have been on many trips with PTP that you could ask ?'s too. You can also ask to speak to previous parents whose children were in the program.

We were/are very proud when dd was nominated for this program as only 1 other was from her grade. Congrats to your dd and if she goes, Im sure she will have a great time.

fyi...like pp said, there is a thread covering this topic that was pretty recent.

 

[Jennasis]

It's not just about traveling the world, but immersing with other students of a different culture. Besides, it's not just a family trip, but a trip with other educators and leaders and you're there to learn.

Sure a trip to Australia would be an awesome experience. But on YOUR dime, and even if your kid goes, you shouldn't put it on your college application.

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

It's not just about traveling the world, but immersing with other students of a different culture. Besides, it's not just a family trip, but a trip with other educators and leaders and you're there to learn.

The other educators and leaders in my DN's case turned out to be 29 yo with more body piercings and tattoos then my DSis could stomach (and she is not opposed to tats). She was the oldest educator/leader. All the others were younger. Really, check into it. If you're still convinced it's a great program then start asking your friends and relatives to pay for it. It's your choice, not ours.

 

[clovergirl5]

Forgot to add that h.s. credit is given for a certain amount of hours. I forget what class, I would have to look it up. Another thing you can find out by talking to them directly or via their website/message board. Again, congrats!

 

[mjkacmom]

It's not a unique opportunity and the colleges know that.

Lots of teachers refuse to even recommend students for this reason.

 

[clovergirl5]

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.

COOL! Do what you want to do op. Alot of people here who know of the program, I don't think has dealt with them directly and have gone on a trip with them. They don't know all the info and what the whole thing entails. That is just my observance. Your best bet would be going to their site and asking people specifically who have been leadership ambassadors. Like I said, dd was one and she loved it. And it is expensive, but if you can do it, nobody can judge you for that. Do what you think is best

 

[Pumbaa_]

google it, do your research Based on what I have read, I would send a 10 yo halfway around the world with this group