remember the *People to People* Ambassador program?

[mafibisha]

Maybe this is old news but just got my weekly email from Sherman's Travel with their weekly deals, and this one of the deals. Of course I thought of this board

$1899+: Cuba: 8-Night People-to-People Program w/Air
http://click.deals.shermanstravel.c..._term=USA Today&utm_campaign=Top 25 USA Today

Many of us thought the People to People program was basically a travel agency vs something *special for a chosen few kids, as ALL students were being *chosen* to participate .... as long as they had thousands of $$ to pay for it.
(the destination is another thread LOL)

Again, this may be old news as I haven't been on the boards as much lately.

HTH someone.

 

[MomToOne]

One of my daughter's continuous complaints this year was that she was the ONLY kid in her class not chosen for People-to-People and going on a trip this summer. I tried to explain to her that it was only because her teacher's knew there was no way in heck I'd pay to send her on such a trip so there was no point in "nominating" her, but she didn't get it.

I took her to China on a family trip with her cousins and Aunts instead. She got a far better deal!!

 

[taylor3297]

Maybe this is old news but just got my weekly email from Sherman's Travel with their weekly deals, and this one of the deals. Of course I thought of this board

$1899+: Cuba: 8-Night People-to-People Program w/Air
http://click.deals.shermanstravel.c..._term=USA Today&utm_campaign=Top 25 USA Today

Many of us thought the People to People program was basically a travel agency vs something *special for a chosen few kids, as ALL students were being *chosen* to participate .... as long as they had thousands of $$ to pay for it.
(the destination is another thread LOL)

Again, this may be old news as I haven't been on the boards as much lately.

HTH someone.

We received an invitation for my dd yesterday from People to People. Not sure what it is all about.

 

[ellenec]

I have been a leader with the student programs for 15 years. I think the one the poster is referring to is one for professional adults. It is not a student program. If you have any questions, I would be glad to try to answer them for you

 

[Granny square]

Scamming adults or scamming kids. Not a lot of difference.

They probably will publish your poetry or put your name in a special "who's who" book too!

 

[mafibisha]

We received an invitation for my dd yesterday from People to People. Not sure what it is all about.

It's essentially a (very expensive) travel agency using students to sell travel packages.

I have been a leader with the student programs for 15 years. I think the one the poster is referring to is one for professional adults. It is not a student program. If you have any questions, I would be glad to try to answer them for you

I don't think so.... while I am a professional, and an adult,
the link I posted came to me as part of an advertising, mass email (like Travelzoo deals) for Sherman's Travel Top 25 Deals, part of USA Today . com. It is sent to countless subscribers, thousands (millions?) of people.

I'm sure they're not all professionals and / or adults.

Here's the link to the Sherman's Travel / USA Today deal email; hope it goes through...

http://co110w.col110.mail.live.com/...mid=228ff254-e169-11e1-b4f3-00215ad6e776&fv=1

*Buyer Beware* !

 

[ceecee]

We have been getting at least 2 a year since DD was in 5th grade. Her friend actually went and had a fabulous time but it was pricey, around $5000 I think. It was a long time ago and they only went to Alaska for 21 days.

 

[4shinystars]

My DD, now 21, went to The British Isles when she was 12 (yes, 12!)in 2003 with PTP, and she still talks about it to this day. Yes, it's $$, no it may not be as exclusive as you'd like, but for my daughter it was everything she dreamed of and more. She learned how to raise her own money, speak in front of strangers, travel without family, be more outgoing, and learned a great deal about the history and culture of England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. She met local adults, people her age, politicians, and more that she never would have met if it was just a vacation trip. In fact her goal is still to live in the UK some day.
She was the only person from her school that went (another dropped out (after getting over $1k from local businesses) and therefore would not donate to my DD. She worked her tail off. We traveled an hour each way to meetings for months beforehand. It was a major sacrifice for us, and we are barely middle class at best. Would we do it again? Maybe. Our younger DD unfortunately got the short end of the stick as she wasn't offered the countries she wanted, and we were in financial difficulties. To this day I regret she wasn't able to do PTP, but she is going to France and England next year with French language and global history students from school-I'm glad she will be able to learn more about WW2 which is a major point of the trip.
Just wanted to show there are some PTP ambassadors that did get something out of their experience.

 

[4shinystars]

Also, just got an email from People to People and they are NOT affiliated with that tour agency at all. The ad stated a people-to-people trip, but did not say they were People to People ambassadors.

This Cuba trip has nothing to do with the legitimate People to People program.

 

[mafibisha]

The link I posted didn't work, so I copied and pasted the email. The USA Today info is at the bottom.

Sherman's Travel, like Travelzoo, chooses good deals from various sources / travel agencies, and present them in an email, again, just like Travelzoo.

The email in question is included in this email I received today.

With the name People to People - (NOT Shermans Travel / USA Today!) - they are obviously related; would People to People allow their 'name' to be used for anything other than their (expensive) travel agency? Think about it. And buyer, beware.




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Well there you go. I doubt anyone would dare to use the the People to People name and not be affiliated with the "ambassador" group.

As in all things, BUYER BEWARE!!!!

 

[RitaE]

People to People investigated by CBS News. The actually forged a recommendation from a State Senator

http://www.cbsnews.com/2100-500172_162-20078698.html

 

[mafibisha]

People to People investigated by CBS News. The actually forged a recommendation from a State Senator

http://www.cbsnews.com/2100-500172_162-20078698.html

Wow. I knew it wasn't *an honor* - many of us here did. But I missed that story on CBS News.

THANK YOU. You probably helped alot of families.

Sad, but good to know it's true:
"families of thousands of children traveling this summer may have little idea that their trip is not the honor they think it is"

 

[Granny square]

The lack of character shown by that organization is incredible. No way I'd let a dishonest company like that be entrusted with my kids. It is seriously messed up.

Add to that the begging for money they encourage.

 

[MichelleinMaine]

I had to laugh, DD got a P2P invite the other day- her first name and my maiden name. (I've been married and using that my husband's name for over 20 years.) Not sure how that came about.

 

[brymolmom]

My DD, now 21, went to The British Isles when she was 12 (yes, 12!)in 2003 with PTP, and she still talks about it to this day. Yes, it's $$, no it may not be as exclusive as you'd like, but for my daughter it was everything she dreamed of and more. She learned how to raise her own money, speak in front of strangers, travel without family, be more outgoing, and learned a great deal about the history and culture of England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. She met local adults, people her age, politicians, and more that she never would have met if it was just a vacation trip. In fact her goal is still to live in the UK some day.
She was the only person from her school that went (another dropped out (after getting over $1k from local businesses) and therefore would not donate to my DD. She worked her tail off. We traveled an hour each way to meetings for months beforehand. It was a major sacrifice for us, and we are barely middle class at best. Would we do it again? Maybe. Our younger DD unfortunately got the short end of the stick as she wasn't offered the countries she wanted, and we were in financial difficulties. To this day I regret she wasn't able to do PTP, but she is going to France and England next year with French language and global history students from school-I'm glad she will be able to learn more about WW2 which is a major point of the trip.
Just wanted to show there are some PTP ambassadors that did get something out of their experience.

I don't think anyone doubts that it can be a very valuable experience for anyone (child, adult, etc) to travel to a foreign country. I think what people are saying is that it is not what it is hyped to be - that your child is 'chosen' to participate for whatever reason. Ultimately the ones who truly make out is the travel company who gets all their $$!

And secondary is the practices of 'marketing' to get your trip funded from businesses, family and friends. If I want my child to get a foreign country experience - i will pay for it or likely have him/her work to pay for a lot of it themselves. This is where the true scandal comes into play in my mind - asking others to pay for a trip for you or your kids?? I don't get it and honestly don't get how anyone could even ask their friends or family to do so.

 

[RitaE]

I don't think anyone doubts that it can be a very valuable experience for anyone (child, adult, etc) to travel to a foreign country. I think what people are saying is that it is not what it is hyped to be - that your child is 'chosen' to participate for whatever reason. Ultimately the ones who truly make out is the travel company who gets all their $$!

And secondary is the practices of 'marketing' to get your trip funded from businesses, family and friends. If I want my child to get a foreign country experience - i will pay for it or likely have him/her work to pay for a lot of it themselves. This is where the true scandal comes into play in my mind - asking others to pay for a trip for you or your kids?? I don't get it and honestly don't get how anyone could even ask their friends or family to do so.

exactly. They are a travel company that licenses the name "People to People" from the Foundation run by Eisenhower's granddaughter. There's nothing inherently wrong with a travel company offering themed trips. Disney Travel offers themed trips through Disney Adventures. There are numerous other Student orientated camps and travel companies that offer similar programs.

I have adult children now and Ambassador Group Travel (which is the name of the travel agency who puts these together) has been immersed in smarminess since my oldest was in grade school with the stories of sending out mailings claiming dead children and people's cats have been "nominated for a great honor." They really seem to skirt on the edge of deception in order to attract parents and students into signing up with them.