People to People Student Ambassadors

[AGDee]

So, we went to the meeting. We drove separately from her friend (who had actually gotten the invite letter) and got there first. Her friend clearly believes the whole "selective invitation" stuff and asked us how we got in without her. I told her that we had registered for the meeting online and Shannon just had to fill out a thing with her address on it when we got there. Shannon sat next to her friend during the presentation and said that her friend kept pointing out that she wouldn't be there if it weren't for her. This same friend (they've been friends since preschool) has quit every activity she starts and asks my daughter for answers on homework all the time, which has been driving my daughter crazy lately. So, now she's questioning whether she would want to travel somewhere like this with this friend. She said "I could totally see her asking me what things were all the time when I'd be trying to listen to a guide to learn about it myself and I wouldn't end up learning anything!"

Anyway... so they want $400 with the application and they want to start interviews in 2 weeks. They schedule the interview after they process the application. I told her that if her dad could put up the initial $400, we could do it, but my mom's estate isn't liquidated yet and I don't know when it will be.. probably not in time for the interviews. Additionally, the interviews are scheduled for 3 Saturdays in row. She has band competitions all 3 Saturdays (including states, if her band makes it, which is questionable.) I told her that my philosophy is that if things are meant to work out, they will, so if she is meant to go this year, then the money would come through in time and we'd figure out a way to schedule an interview around band competitions. I also told her that she could always do one of these trips next year and go to Interlochen this year instead.

So, things are pending 1) Her own decision whether to travel with this friend or not, 2) finances, 3) scheduling an interview and 4) the decision of Interlochen vs. Europe.

She was looking at the application and asked me what she thought she put down for what is special about her. I asked her what she thought and she had a lot of good answers (wanting to make a difference in the world, being thoughtful and her ambition). I told her that she impresses me with how goal directed and self motivated she is and that I don't worry about her that much when it comes to things like drugs and alcohol because she knows.. (and she finished my sentence with) "It would totally screw up my life plan". 13.. and has a life plan. Now that's what I'm talking about!

Thanks for all your testimonials! It did help a lot to "know" some people who've done this program.

[Fleur de Lis]

Originally Posted by AGDee

Shannon sat next to her friend during the presentation and said that her friend kept pointing out that she wouldn't be there if it weren't for her. This same friend (they've been friends since preschool) has quit every activity she starts and asks my daughter for answers on homework all the time, which has been driving my daughter crazy lately.

I wonder if you could write her a "no rec".

Your daughter sounds very mature, and I hope she has a great summer, wherever she ends up!

[AGDee]

At lunch today, her friend brought up again that my daughter wouldn't be able to go if this friend hadn't invited her to the information meeting. My daughter finally got fed up and told her about the dead cat who was invited. Of course, her friend didn't believe her but was referred to Wikipedia for the truth! LOL My daughter is leaning toward P2P for this summer anyway. I told her, if it's meant to be, then the interview schedule will work out, the finances will come through, etc. She's going to go ahead and apply.

[Fleur de Lis]

Congratulations to your daughter!

[srmom]

fleur de lis, my son also did the Australia/New Zealand trip before 9th grade over a decade ago. I wonder if ya'll were there together? THAT would be a small world!!

He also did the pre med honors symposium thing too in the summer between junior and senior year. I don't know how much he got out of it (he is now an econ/engl major) but he had a good time and met some neat kids.

My other kids haven't had the luxury of being a 1st child ha ha!

My poor third son got sent to "math camp" - the Duke summer program - not quite Australia!! He did have fun though.

[CuriousWildcat]

I went on the European Odyssey Tour and it was AMAZING! I learned a LOT of history while I was there and it was definitely a once in a lifetime opportunity! I hope everything works out for you and your daughter. Did you speak with the leaders about a possible alternative interview time? I can't remember if they had those or not.

My most memorable times include: repelling down a castle wall in Italy, staying with a family in france, ridding the Metro in Greece to some go carts we saw on our way to Athens, the Parthenon, Venice, getting stuck in the bathroom of a convent in Pompeii, climbing mount Vesuvius.

I really hope your daughter gets to go!
Make sure you tell her if she goes to keep a VERY detailed journal! We had to keep one as an assignment, and so I kind of slacked off on it. Now that I am not right in the moment I regret it because I don't have as clear memories of certain things.

[AGDee]

Originally Posted by CuriousWildcat

I went on the European Odyssey Tour and it was AMAZING! I learned a LOT of history while I was there and it was definitely a once in a lifetime opportunity! I hope everything works out for you and your daughter. Did you speak with the leaders about a possible alternative interview time? I can't remember if they had those or not.

My most memorable times include: repelling down a castle wall in Italy, staying with a family in france, ridding the Metro in Greece to some go carts we saw on our way to Athens, the Parthenon, Venice, getting stuck in the bathroom of a convent in Pompeii, climbing mount Vesuvius.

I really hope your daughter gets to go!
Make sure you tell her if she goes to keep a VERY detailed journal! We had to keep one as an assignment, and so I kind of slacked off on it. Now that I am not right in the moment I regret it because I don't have as clear memories of certain things.

She's going on the European Discovery tour and did manage to get an interview on a night when she didn't have any activities and has been accepted. She's very excited! She wants to be a journalist so I think she'll be good about keeping a journal, but I'll be sure to nudge her about it.

[CuriousWildcat]

Yay! Congratulations to you and your daughter! (I know my dad was just as excited as I was!)

If you have any questions/concerns/just want to talk about it or anything feel free to PM me!

[AGDee]

She leaves this morning! France, Switzerland, Austria and Italy. She'll be back on July 16th. I've been calm, cool and collected up until this morning when I woke up before my alarm went off and am finding myself a bit nervous now. She is VERY excited!

[RU OX Alum]

Originally Posted by AGDee

She leaves this morning! France, Switzerland, Austria and Italy. She'll be back on July 16th. I've been calm, cool and collected up until this morning when I woke up before my alarm went off and am finding myself a bit nervous now. She is VERY excited!

she'll love it and you will be fine