People to People Student Ambassadors

AGDee · #1 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 · #2 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 · #3 10-05-2007, 05:03 PM

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

VAgirl18 · #4 10-05-2007, 05:22 PM

Two friends of mine were a part of the program during multiple summers and they never had any regrets!!

James · #5 10-05-2007, 06:06 PM

Compare it to other tours though . .. I don't remember it being cheap. And I am not sure you get that much more than you would through another program . . or even a privately set up trip.

James · #6 10-05-2007, 06:10 PM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People_...ssador_Program

Quote:

People to People is not a very choosy organization and rely on academic listings to invite a student with no reason for nominating them other then being on the list the independent marketing company has purchased. The company represents the children as 'specially chosen' when in fact they were only a name on the mailing list. This has caused several children to be disappointed and about 40 complaints to Consumer Affairs.[1] However of the children that did take the trip only 1 complaint has been lodged. It seems the trips are more a travel experience than a privileged academic one.[citation needed]

The Iowa Supreme Court recently reviewed a case in which a woman was contacted by this organization on behalf of her son who had died years earlier. As a result of this attention, descriptions of selection criteria have been updated by People to People.[2]. In a similar situation a dead cat (who had been deceased for 10 years) named 'Earl Grey' was invited to study abroad by the program as well [1]

Similar to the above requirements for students, teacher-leaders themselves are screened, interviewed and background checked prior to appointment.[citation needed] As with all people entrusted with student travelers, it is highly recommended that parents get to know the leaders prior to travel. Students attend a series of orientation meetings prior to traveling so there is much opportunity for parents to get to know the teachers as well as for students to get to know one another.

AGDee · #7 10-05-2007, 06:34 PM

Yeah, I saw that on Wikipedia. My daughter didn't receive an invite in the mail but her friend did and it said that she could bring a friend to the information meeting. My daughter was upset that she wouldn't have received an invite and I told her that they probably just bought the names from some mailing list and she shouldn't be upset about it. The Wikipedia entry just confirmed that. I signed up on a scholarship information website and she has been getting college recruitment stuff in the mail and she's only in 8th grade!

We're going to go to the informational meeting on Sunday and see what they have to say. It can't hurt to get more info. I have also found a couple at work who were familiar with the program/knew someone who had attended and thought it was worthwhile also. Thanks for the feedback! I knew GC would have some info. Keep it coming!

ETA: I'm particularly curious about the possibility of high school or college credits if she does some coursework before/after.