People to People Student Ambassador program

Top 69. Sep 13, 2005 11:34 PM

» cmacphail - Re: info on grades

In response to info on grades posted by mom1016:

They make the application and interview out to be a big deal, but based on what I saw, your daughter will be accepted unless she has serious immaturity or behavioral problems. They do not care about her grades.

-- posted by cmacphail

Top 70. Sep 14, 2005 10:37 AM

» stargazer2 - PTP alumnus here

I don't usually hang out here, but Googled People to People because I just got a letter. I am familiar with the organization, having traveled with them to the then-Soviet Union just after my senior year of high school.

My daughter just got invited on a fifth-grade trip to Canada, and I'm delighted. As I said above, I went on one of these, as did my sister. Both of us had wonderful, positive experiences. Yes, you have to pay or find funding (you can dfundraisersrs or ask for sponsorships or scholarships from various organizations). I'm positively sending my daughter if there's any way. She flies to see her father and other family all the time, so I'm not scared about sending her on a plane or anything--well, no more scared than I was before 9/11, okay?

I do recommend this program if your child is reasonably responsible and well-behaved, which I think really is what the screening process is about. You don't want kids who are going to run off and get lost, take advantage of local reduced drinking ages, or throw wild parties that might result in a group getting kicked out of a hotel or something.

My overall take on it is that while it probably is run like a business (that is, there ARE people making money off the deal) it's also a terrific opportunity, and a good reflection on the child selected--somebody does have to think they're responsible enough to recommend them.

I hope this helps clarify things just a little. If thiemailsm emails me about any responses, I'll try to come back to clarify more.

-- posted by stargazer2

Top 71. Sep 14, 2005 12:43 PM

» chrissy58 - Re: Re: info on grades

In response to Re: info on grades posted by xteressax:

Interesting article! Thanks for posting link. As I said in early posts -- Ambassador Inc. IS a profit-making publically traded company that licenses the P2P name for the nonprofit organization. The information meeting is like going to a time share sales presentation. (But hey, my daughter went on this year's Australia/New Zealand trip and I enjoy my time share from time to time.) It is what it is. And admittedly, they run a great travel program. But,anyone can go on their website right now, nominate their kid, and go through the "selection" process -- however effective that is. Basically, if you can come up with $5200-$5600, you can go on the trip. As a two income family, we were fortunate to send our daughter. Australia and New Zealand -- we lived precariously through her adventures. And, if she wants to go again, she has to WORK to come up with some of it. I would never ask anyone for a donation -- knowing that this company makes $15 million annually. Also, teachers lead these tours and the ones that went on my daughter's trip worked hard for their free travel. Frankly, this company is making a lot off of the hard work and reputation of teachers. In addition to free travel, they should be getting a stipend for all the work and responsibility that goes along with being a leader on one of these trips.

Ambassadors runs a top notch travel program. They work in homestay with a local family, they meet local politicians, they stay in unusual places, they work in a community service aspect before the kids go and while they are traveling. It is a great experience -- it just comes with a high price tag.

-- posted by chrissy58

Top 72. Sep 15, 2005 9:16 AM

» balla_baby_6969 - Re: well

In response to well posted by well_maybe:

My name is Heather. And I know that you have to pay money to go, but I don't know how much. Cause I got one of those the other day to go to England, France, Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany, and Switzerland. And I have been doing some research. And you do have to pay money and pay to go to school there.

-- posted by balla_baby_6969

Top 73. Sep 15, 2005 9:23 AM

» balla_baby_6969 - Anyone Else Have The Europe one

I am Heather Smith, I am almost 16, and I got one these just the other day, and so did some of my friends. It is to go to England, France, Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany, and Switzerland in 2006 for 20 days. And I really don't have any information on that. So if you have any information on the program I am going to. Please e-mail me at
sweet_thing_20005_330@hotmail.com
Thank you. And if you e-mail me and I get information I will e-mail you back.

-- posted by balla_baby_6969

Top 74. Sep 15, 2005 4:52 PM

» Lois08 - People to People Student Ambassador

I am really wondering if this thing is fake. I am wondering that because they said 30-40 students out of Metro Atlanta are selected to go. I attend North Atlanta(second best about to be the best when we beat out Grady) and some of the people running around with those letters waving them are students who skip class ETC. Also, they give these letters to be people who are nowhere near smart? So why would they let these students out of the country to go and represent America? Is that the perception that they want people to have on America? Ignorance? Is this fake? Do they really care who they give the letter to? As long as they have the money?

-- posted by Lois08

Top 75. Sep 15, 2005 5:01 PM

» Lois08 - okay

By reading more messages, this program seems real. Do know, that you should get a passport in advance and also your money is do by May something of 2006. I was selected to go to Australia. I wonder how much that cost. Fundraising ideas: church, car washes, bake sales, candy sale, donations.
I think its best not to get a loan. Its spending money you don't have and then you will have to begin to pay it back, but there will be interest. You should tell your parents. I was sort of afraid of telling my dad, but he was excited. Start early, like NOW. I hope everyone makes it, even if i cant go. Go look up shots that are requiredHepatitiss and Hepatitis B) all doses. Make sure your state flies out. Make sure you don't have to travel to another state to fly out, or if you do figure it out. Be careful.

-- posted by Lois08

Top 76. Sep 15, 2005 5:22 PM

» Lois08 - yeah

Okay, I was selected to go to Australia only. The duration of my trip is 18 days. How much would that cost? Also, this said this can help you earn highschool or college credit. So will we go to school? I wanted to select foreign language but that is too simple for me so I selected political science because I love that field of study(however i will have to come back and do it America for a credit) Than I selected Art and Literature because I love to write? I that a great choice. I thought abut choosing a sport because you should always be well rounded but none of the sports that were listed interested me.

-- posted by Lois08

Top 77. Sep 15, 2005 5:32 PM

» Lois08 - okay

Is there going to be in a host family? Are we going to be staying in someone else's house. Also are kids from Australia selected to go to England, Spain, Australia etc.? Also, if we go there, will someone have to come and stay in my house with my family?

-- posted by Lois08