Student Ambassador Programs

[MdGymMom01]

My dd was selected to be a student ambassador with People to People Student Ambassador Programs and travel to England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales the summer of 2011. She got an invite last year as well when she was in the 5th grade. Has anyone (or anyone's kids) actually travelled abroad with a program like this? How much do they generally cost? Are they well chaperoned and safe? I received a letter that explains a little about it and apparently there is a meeting that I have to reserve a spot for to attend to get more detailed info. I looked the company up and they are very reputable and have been around for a long time, but I figured I would ask if anyone here has any "real life experiences" they could share.

Thanks in advance!!

 

[bookworm]

We have friends whose daughters have gone for the last two years and really enjoyed it...last year it was to Europe and the year before to China...both well chaperoned and I believe the cost around two grand (but don't quote me) ...this girl also had some medical issues that were handled well on the trip too....the girls were in high school that went and not as young as your daughter though .

 

[coachmolly]

My brother and cousin were invited to do a People to People trip to Hawaii when they were in 6th & 7th grade (somewhere around there). My brother didn't end up going, but went to some of the planning meetings. The details are all pretty vague as it was a long time ago, but I think there was some kind of fundraising component to help offset the cost.

 

[MdGymMom01]

Thanks for the info! I plan on researching this a lot more to see what I can find. My main concern is that they are sending these letters and inviting 10 and 11 year old children to go abroad without parental supervision. I just can't see myself sending my 11 year old overseas without a parent or relative. But, that's just me.

 

[gymmom14]

Sounds odd since she is so young. What was the criteria for them to choose her?

 

[liseybeast]

I did the People to People program when I was 14? and absolutely loved it. I went to Brazil for 3 weeks and had the time of my life! I know the middle school programs are usually shorter, though. I'm not sure what the kid to adult ratio is for that age group, but we were 10 students to one adult and there were 40 students, so 4 adults went, all of whom were teachers. Everything was planned out really well and we met once a moth during the school year to learn about the country and their culture and to get to know one another. It was a very expensive trip. The trip cost + my big suitcase i bought + special clothing i had to get + spending money = about $6,000 in total. At our meetings they talked a lot about how to fundraise and I had a little help money wise by writing to letters to people like my doctor, dentist, town assembly, etc. One of the best things about People to People is it is a government program so you get to do some cool things a normal tourist would never get to do. We had a tour guide that stayed with us for the entire trip who got us everywhere we needed to be (we took 8 flights on airplanes in total, Brazil is big!) We also did a homestay while in Rio for a few days which was an eye-opening experience, but again, I don't know if that age group does that. I suggest going to the meeting. You'll get a packet with the itinerary of the trip, the cost of the trip, and will answer all of your questions. I suggest getting to know the chaperones well because they would be the ones in charge of supervising the children while abroad. Hope this helps

 

[liseybeast]

Sounds odd since she is so young. What was the criteria for them to choose her?

Not to answer for Mdgymmom01, but teachers usually have to recommend students.

 

[gymdog]

They're reputable in many senses but tend to be very expensive (I am assuming some scholarships may be available so cost may vary). I would think the money would be better spent saving for college and doing less expensive enrichment. It is the same as the high school "national leadership conferences." It is not a scam in the sense you're getting what you pay for, but I don't think it's as selective as they make it sound. Very selective experiences or experiences geared towards certain talent tend to be "scholarship" type offers. I did a month long summer program through my state for high schoolers, the county covers the cost for all public school students. I was invited to some of the other things but it is very expensive. If the $6,000 quoted above is accurate (and that seems high to me...I would have guessed more like $2,000...) that's like a semester of tuition at a state university here

I suppose 3 weeks is a long time. I do see benefit but it's just too much money, I think. I would prefer to find less expensive, smaller travel experiences. I don't think I could ever have enough money to finance a trip like that without dipping into hypothetical college savings...and I wouldn't want to do that...they can study abroad in college. Actually since I go to a state school we have tuition exchanges with univiersities abroad and you pay in-state tuition to go there, fairly good deal considering.

As for how colleges would look at these trips, well only high school would be relevant for those purposes. They wouldn't be viewed as any better than other more local experiences, and long term volunteerism or leadership or dedication would likely be viewed as better. Again, it's an experience, if you could easily finance it for your kid without a lot of sacrifices somehow, then I'd say go for it (though you could probably put together an equivalent travel experience for less, but maybe the social or independence aspect is worth some $$$). Sort of like gymnastics camp as opposed to gymnastics practice everyday at home. But if it would come at great sacrifice, I'd just skip it and find local enrichment, especially at this age (science activities, children's museums, etc).

 

[liseybeast]

It is not a scam in the sense you're getting what you pay for, but I don't think it's as selective as they make it sound...

If the $6,000 quoted above is accurate (and that seems high to me...I would have guessed more like $2,000...) that's like a semester of tuition at a state university here

As for how colleges would look at these trips, well only high school would be relevant for those purposes. They wouldn't be viewed as any better than other more local experiences, and long term volunteerism or leadership or dedication would likely be viewed as better. Again, it's an experience, if you could easily finance it for your kid without a lot of sacrifices somehow, then.

I agree that they're sometimes not that selective since there is no criteria other than a recommendation (as far as I know).

My actual trip was $4800 if I remember correctly, but w/ other expenses it was close to $6000. Again that was for three weeks. I believe the middle school trips are around 10 days long.

I agree that it might mean a little more if your DD was older. I was able to use it while applying to colleges since I went the summer after 9th grade. The great thing is if you do go you automatically get to go on the trip the next year if you want to. It can add up, but there are stories of people who completely pay for the trip by fundraising.

 

[Shelovesthebars]

My son was nominated last year in 5th grade and again this year in 6th grade. We decided to wait until he is a little older. It just seems to us that he is such a rascal that we would worry about him. It is a highly selective program here. I think if he is nominated again when he is older that it would be a good experience for him.

 

[NotAMom]

It is not a scam in the sense you're getting what you pay for, but I don't think it's as selective as they make it sound.

It's not. I think the selection is somewhat random, in fact. Our one child gets repeated invites and the other one never got one. Now, guess who the "better" student is. Not what one thinks.

mdgymmom, yes, People to People is a very legit organization, at least from a educational and cultural standpoint. We know of kids who either have gone or will be going. We hear nothing but good things about it. With that said, because of the high cost involved, I think the whole thing is more of a field trip that comes with status or prestige than anything else.

My take: for $6K (for slightly more), take a family trip (for say 3 or 4) to wherever you like and turn it into an educational tour. That way, everyone can enjoy it and can still learn the world (and take lots of pics).

I think this age is way too young to be sent away that far with strangers anyway (no matter how legit).

 

[MdGymMom01]

It's not. I think the selection is somewhat random, in fact. Our one child gets repeated invites and the other one never got one. Now, guess who the "better" student is. Not what one thinks.

mdgymmom, yes, People to People is a very legit organization, at least from a educational and cultural standpoint. We know of kids who either have gone or will be going. We hear nothing but good things about it. With that said, because of the high cost involved, I think the whole thing is more of a field trip that comes with status or prestige than anything else.

My take: for $6K (for slightly more), take a family trip (for say 3 or 4) to wherever you like and turn it into an educational tour. That way, everyone can enjoy it and can still learn the world (and take lots of pics).

I think this age is way too young to be sent away that far with strangers anyway (no matter how legit).

I totally agree Notamom. After a bit of research I have learned that it likes to present itself as being "selective and prestigious", but in actuality mass mailings, even to household pets, are involved. Also, the price is very high and the supervision is somewhat varying depending on who goes on the trip. VERY SCARY IMO when you are talking about children who are going.

I think it could be a positive experience for the older HS students who are more independent and more mature, but for the young 5th and 6th graders that they are targeting these mailings to, NO.

Thanks again for all the feedback!

 

[AlexsGymmyMom]

My son was nominated one year but it was just too expensive. I believe they were going to Italy and France that year. He was in high school at the time. I think 15 maybe? It would be hard for me to send my DD at her age (11) but if I felt VERY confident that it would be chaperoned well then I would consider it. If you can swing the cost I think it is a great experience for the kids! I was an exchange student in Germany for a month years.....ok 2 decades ago and have such great memories from that time.

 

[Tumblequeensmom]

All three of my kids have received "invitations" to attend these trips. I elected not to send any of my kids. I think every student on my street has received these as well. One of my neighbors actually went on the trip to Europe two years ago. He had a great time, but as Gymdog says, these invitations aren't as "selective" as they make them apear to be!! Also, the trips are VERY expensive. I decided to save the money and as Gymdog suggested, get the kids more involved in community service and other activities.

 

[gym law mom]

Both of my kids have received these invites also. I got curious when the younger one got one after 5th grade and asked one of her 6th grade teachers about it. She said it is done as a mass mailing---said at one time there probably were actual recommendations of students, but now they tend to get sent to most kids at some point.

 

[busymomof4]

My dd was nominated last year in 5th grade for People to People. The info was very vague and according to what I could figure out it was going to cost around $3,000. We were not given much time to make the decision and down payment. It was an honor to be nominated by the teacher , but we decided since her trip was to Washington, DC that we would wait for the school 6th grade trip to DC which is only around $800.00 and I could chaperone.

 

[Gymnasticlover78]

I got nominated for that last year when I was in 7th grade and so did my brother . My mom thought it was a scam cause they didnt put a call back # or name of a director also the wanted like 17,00 dollars just so I could go 2 a retreat to Albany NY for spring break.