People to People Student Ambassadors

AGDee · #1 10-05-2007, 08:42 AM

So, my daughter is very interested in this program and I haven't found anybody local who knows someone who has done it. So, I thought.. lots of people on Greek Chat who may know something about this, why not ask there? She'd be 14 when she went on the trip, would attend the European Discovery program. She's been a very responsible kid.. 4.0 GPA, marching band, Girl Scout, NJHS, church youth group. But, I'd really like to hear from somebody who has been on one of these trips or knows someone first hand who has.

Thanks in advance!

APhi Sailorgirl · #2 10-05-2007, 08:53 AM

I went through the interview process and received a spot; however, back 11 years ago, it was around going to be $5K for the trip. They say you can fundraise, but my parents weren't exactly comfortable with that. Ultimately I pulled out for financial reasons.

aopirose · #3 10-05-2007, 10:02 AM

A friend's daughter went this past summer and had an awesome time. She's a little older than your daughter as she is 16. My younger cousin was to go on the same trip but had a schedule conflict. She was able to defer until next summer. The cost is still in the $5000 ball park and like APhi Sailorgirl said, they tell you about fundraisers but no one that I know did that.

I can tell you that in another club to which I belong, we get sporadic requests from kids. We can't afford to foot their whole bill but sometimes we can give them a little something. All we ask in return is that they come and speak at a luncheon when they get back.

AGDee · #4 10-05-2007, 12:01 PM

I'm not worried about the cost so much because my mother passed away last month and I'm getting some inheritance. I was thinking about doing something special for each of my kids with some of the inheritance (in addition to putting away a big chunk for their college educations), and I think this would qualify. She had just hit me with the idea out of the blue and I had never heard of it so I've been researching.

aopirose · #5 10-05-2007, 12:32 PM

I am sorry about your mom.

This would be a wonderful opportunity for your daughter. She'll visit places and experience things that many only get to read about. How great iis that to have that firsthand knowledge. If you decide to move forward, the organizers hold monthly meetings to prepare. These meetings are for both kids and their parents so everybody is on the same page. I don't know anyone who has been dissatisfied with the program.

GeekyPenguin · #6 10-05-2007, 05:03 PM

A friend of mine in high school did the Australia program and absolutely loved it.

kathykd2005 · #7 10-05-2007, 07:28 PM

One of my students went on a trip this summer for People to People since I wrote her a recommendation this past year. She loved it and took tons of pictures. It is definitely worth it!!!

Sister Havana · #8 10-05-2007, 08:08 PM

One of my friends did the Eastern European trip the summer between freshman and sophomore year of high school. She had an amazing time.

Fleur de Lis · #9 10-06-2007, 12:30 AM

I went on the Australia/New Zealand trip with People to People the summer before 9th grade. It was an amazing experience! I fundraised every cent, and I think they did a good job of using the money wisely. We went to all kinds of locations, fed dolphins, stayed at a Maori village, snorkeled in the Great Barrier Reef - things you just don't do on a normal vacation. I think it's a great opportunity to have a little freedom in a very safe setting and start behaving like an adult. I will say if I could do it again, I may have waited a few years, since at 14 you're still concerned with cliques and boys - even the most mature of us.

I don't believe any credit comes out of the program, but it's a "resume-builder" until she has more experience. Also, recommendations from the leaders and building networking skills with the other students is a helpful tool for the future.

Your daughter sounds like a great candidate. The initial invite seems random, but they definitely interview you and make sure you're really mature enough to handle yourself in another continent without Mom and Dad. Good luck to your daughter!!

alum · #10 10-06-2007, 04:11 PM

People to People is a great, albeit expensive way to travel. It is not an EC-worthy activity and will NOT get your kid into prep school or college.

texas*princess · #11 10-06-2007, 04:51 PM

I'm not trying to belittle the program because it sounds like a lot of fun, but how can it be a "resume builder" if the trip sounds like a vacation in another country (e.g. feeding dolphins, snorkeling, etc).

Is there more to the trip than it being a vacation from Mom & Dad?

It sounds like it is a good way to get recommendation letters from the teacher-leaders, but most people have teachers, pastors, etc that would write those also?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fleur de Lis

I went on the Australia/New Zealand trip with People to People the summer before 9th grade. It was an amazing experience! I fundraised every cent, and I think they did a good job of using the money wisely. We went to all kinds of locations, fed dolphins, stayed at a Maori village, snorkeled in the Great Barrier Reef - things you just don't do on a normal vacation. I think it's a great opportunity to have a little freedom in a very safe setting and start behaving like an adult. I will say if I could do it again, I may have waited a few years, since at 14 you're still concerned with cliques and boys - even the most mature of us.

I don't believe any credit comes out of the program, but it's a "resume-builder" until she has more experience. Also, recommendations from the leaders and building networking skills with the other students is a helpful tool for the future.

AGDee · #12 10-07-2007, 12:21 AM

From some of the kids' blogs I've read who've been on the trips, they also do some sort of service project while there.

Fleur de Lis · #13 10-07-2007, 01:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by texas*princess

I'm not trying to belittle the program because it sounds like a lot of fun, but how can it be a "resume builder" if the trip sounds like a vacation in another country (e.g. feeding dolphins, snorkeling, etc).

Is there more to the trip than it being a vacation from Mom & Dad?

It sounds like it is a good way to get recommendation letters from the teacher-leaders, but most people have teachers, pastors, etc that would write those also?

Haha, this was over a decade ago, so I listed what I remembered! We did stay with families one night, and also met with a lot of local people, ate local cuisine, learned about the governments and economies, etc. The program may have changed as well, so definitely voice these concerns at the meeting! My parents were 100% behind the idea (although 0% behind the finances) and I had a wonderful experience, so that's why I gave my two cents.

alum · #14 10-07-2007, 02:39 AM

Now if my kids were talented enough to get accepted to Interlochen, they would be there in a heartbeat. THAT is an amazing program!

And I know it's irrelevant in your decision-making but Interlochen is a huge EC that definitely impresses the admissions officers.

AGDee · #15 10-07-2007, 09:39 AM

I think she will still go to Interlochen another year.. for either clarinet or creative writing. She was accepted last year but I couldn't afford it. I think it is more impressive if she does the high school program and this year, she'd just be intermediate.