2009 People to People Student Travel Ambassadors Wanted
September 15, 2008
School has just started, but now’s the time to start thinking about your Summer 2009 travel plans. People to People has its list of 2009 travel programs available for junior high and high school students who would like to spend two or three weeks as a student ambassador in Japan, China, Australia, New Zealand, or all over Europe.
The People to People Student Ambassador Program was founded by President Eisenhower in 1956 and has sent thousands of junior high and high school students abroad in the 50 years since then. The focus of the program isn’t just travel, but cultural exchange, and many of their adventures include homestays with local families, meetings with influential politicians and business people, and visits to significant organizations and landmarks.
Another difference with this program is that you don’t just sign up and pay the price like you do with tour company; you have to apply and go through an interview. Don’t let that stop you though. If you have a passion to travel around the world, you’re probably just who they’re looking for. (I’m pretty sure I bumbled my way through my interview many years ago, but I still got to spend some of the best weeks of my life traveling through Australia one summer and Europe the next.)
The Program has drawn some big names over the years (not just me), so you’ll be in good company. According to their website, “Walt Disney created the “It’s a Small World” attraction in 1964 after his participation in the People to People International White House conference. This attraction has now introduced over 250 million people to the concept that we may have our differences, but underneath we all share the same core values.”
Student Ambassadors can travel to Asia, Australia, Europe, or even to Canada (it’s always good to stay friendly with the neighbors). Teachers are also needed to lead the student groups, so if you know a teacher who might be interested, let him or her know about the program too. The fees include all of your meals and transportation, and if you come up with some creative fundraising ideas (yard sale, bake sale, car wash, Internet start-up), you can at least reduce the amount coming out of your pocket.
You’re never too young to get out there and develop a lifelong travel habit. Good luck, and have fun!
This sounds like it could be such an incredible experience!!! I would have done anything for this type of opportunity in high school… I hope that students jump on this. Best of luck with it! People to People is where it’s at!
I am now a People to People Student Ambassador. I am going to get to go to Greece, Italy, and France this summer 2010. I am very excited. Thank You. People to People is a great organization. I am so excited.
i got a letter inviting me to attend one of these trips but i lost it being the typical highschool girl that i am. is there anyway i could get another copy of the letter or where i could get the needed forms?
I’d love to do that, unfortunedly I live in Europe and so I can’t apply.. May I have this opportunity some day in the future =)
it is a good program to have new experiences in life and learn new cultures.
I just got invited to this and it sounds too good to be true?
what exactly is it? Is it like vacation or a educational tour?
How much does it cost?
Hi Ryan,
This program is on the up and up. It’s a non-profit group that was founded in 1956 by President Eisenhower for the purpose of getting young people around the world to meet, exchange ideas and cultures, and better understand each other.
The focus is educational and cultural – you won’t be getting on a party bus – but because of the program’s excellent reputation and connections you’ll have opportunities that you wouldn’t get otherwise.
Prices vary depending on the trip you apply for, and I’ll admit they aren’t cheap, but sometimes local Rotary groups will help to sponsor a student, and PtoP encourages you to find other sponsorships or hold fundraisers as well.
I participated in People to People trips to Europe and Australia after my sophomore and junior years in high school and I loved them both. I would highly encourage you to take part if you can.
Happy travels!
Lisa
This is NOT an incredible experience. Ambassadors Group International is a an organization selling peace for profit under the guise of being part of Eisenhower’s legacy which it is NOT. Our son, Tyler, died on PTP trip in June of 2007 and the company still promotes a solid safety record. AGI is a knock off of Ambassadors Int’l which was founded in the late 1960’s. President Eisenhower’s PTP intiative was founded in 1956. AGI bought the right to People to People from Eisenhower’s grandaughter Mary Eisenhower, CEO of PTPI who gets paid on a per student sign up. The kids on Ty’s trip were fed chicken nuggets and french fries and stayed 9 to a room with a common bath for M&F. We are not the only lawsuit. The company has been sued 3 times in the last 9 months for issues regarding child safety. Don’t risk it. DOn’t go. Tell your friends.
I used to receive several letters from p2p. however they always wanted to send me to spain or italy or some other european country. when really i want to go to japan. so now i have three questions.
1) how do the choose what country to send you to and can you change if you dont like/ are uncomfortable with the choices?
2) is it to late to become involved with the student ambasidors trip to japan for the year 2009?
and 3) from past research ive read a lot of negative veiws and complaints. if its so great, why are people so upset and disatisfied with their results.
oh also. several friends of mine are going on the trip. im whole honestly worried by what ive heard. however one has gone on several trips with p2p and said it was a great experience and was really well organized. honestly i dont know what to think
hey! So don’t be worried — although some of these posts Are scary though… I wouldn’t believe them all. I went to Canada i 2006 as a 6th grader. At the time I just wanted to get away from my family and be all “grown up.” Now though, I want to go again because no family trip I’ve ever taken has compared to that P2P trip (and we’ve been to France, Hawaii…) It was an amazing learning experience – I met new friends, learned about myself, AND have a higher tolerance for people who are different from me. It was a gift to be able to go so don’t be afraid for your friends!
Hi Kade,
Thanks for writing. As you can see, people have mixed reactions to this program, but I don’t think that’s uncommon in travel – or with many other experiences.
Personally, I did two P2P trips in high school, first to Australia, then Europe (France, Switzerland & England). I loved them both, and because of my experiences wound up going back to Australia after college to live there for a year and do a master’s degree.
That doesn’t mean that there weren’t things that we all complained about at the time (curfew? another long, boring welcome speech?) or that all the kids on my trip became best friends, but overall it was an awesome experience, and I met great people from all over the US.
I think the problem with P2P is that each individual group is organized by the teachers who are acting as chaperones. And just like in school, you have some teachers who are well organized and make everything fun and interesting, and there are other teachers who barely seem to keep it together. I was lucky to have some excellent adult leaders in my groups, but that’s not always the case.
If you are interested in these programs, you should contact P2P directly with your questions. Ask if you can get into a program that interests you more than the one you were offered. When you meet the adults who will be leading the group, ask them all of your questions, express any concerns you have, and then ask yourself how comfortable you are with their answers.
I’m very sorry to hear about the unpleasant and, in some cases, tragic experiences others have had with People to People. However, I don’t know that these cases should overshadow the thousands of positive stories to come out of P2P.
I would hate for anyone to miss out on a travel experience, or give up on travel because they’re too afraid to even apply. Ask to speak with recent alumni from the program and see if what they have to say makes you more confident about the program or not.
Where and how you go is up to you, so just like you research a college to see if it’s going to be a fit for you, you should research a travel program as well. If P2P isn’t for you, plan ahead for a semester abroad or at sea in college, or see if there are any youth groups in your area that offer summer trips abroad to do volunteer work.
Good luck!
Lisa
Hi my name si wynter. I got invited to go to Austria to play soccer can you give me an estimated amount on how much it will be??
Hello,
Unfortunately, I can’t help you with that question. You should contact the program directly and ask about their fees and what other expenses you’ll need to cover (food, optional sightseeing).
I did a quick Google and see that along with Student Ambassadors, there are now Sports Ambassadors (http://www.peopletopeople.com/OURPROGRAMS/SPORT/Pages/default.aspx). I believe the program you’re talking about is the Youth Friendship Games. If you’re interested in travel and sports, this looks like it could be fun. I don’t see any prices listed, but if there’s an information session near you, you can attend that. If you don’t like what they have to say, you aren’t obligated to do anything else, but if it sounds like something you’re interested in, then go for it.
Good luck!
Lisa
I am going to have an experience like this in july and i’m already pump!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:)
hey
Wir freuen uns auf die Studenten die im Juni 09 zu uns ins Schulhaus kommen.[Europa]
Wir werden sicher viel Spass haben!
Hello everybody
I hope we have a great time with the students at the summer 2009 in Europe in our School.
Thanks! I hope we do too!
dont go dont go dont go dont dont dont
Hello everybody,
I recently attended a program and it was proably the BEST EXPERIENCE OF MY LIFE. I wnjoyed every minute of it. Everybody there was so nice and I met so many new people that I still keep in touch with today.
Trust me, if you get invited…GO ON THE TRIP!
Hey Tyler,
Glad to hear you had such a great time. Which program did you do?
Lisa
I want to acknowledge the good deeds of the Ambassadors…I want to thank you for giving so many students the opportunity to earn a career,it is only God that can reward the works of men,am a student,just finished college,i have the desire to go to school but situations has left me no choice than sitting at home and praying for luck..Thank God that this innovation has been set aside to help the helpless..I want to formally apply for this student to student travel ambassadors and i want you to grant me the priveledge of achieving my dreams….Thanks for your support.Gods reward awaits you all….i await ur humble reply.
i forgot to say that am a nigerian residing innigeria….
hi, I was invited to go to Austria, but my dad said I can’t go because he doesn’t know how much it cost to go. If u know how much it cost please tell me.I would love to go because i love to go places.
same with me…maybe if we do go but my chances r very slkim we mite meet eachother
i got invited for the 2010 group to go to austaralia…..it says the fees include food ect ect…..so does taht mean it costs…i really wanna go but i probly cant afford it and how did i become a student ambassador??
As part of the settlement of my family’s lawsuit against Ambassadors Group, docleaf, Angela Hanson, Sue Stahr, Pat Veum-Smith, Josh Aberle et al., I have been asked to request that your company remove statements from your website that may characterize, impugn, threaten, defame or disparage the defendants. The following correctly states the current state of the matter between the parties and may be used in place of any removed comments:
Wrongful Death Lawsuit for Tyler R. Hill Against Ambassadors Group, docleaf, et al., Officially Settled
MOUND, Minn., Aug. 6 /PRNewswire/ — Allen and Sheryl Hill of Mound, Minn., today announced the official settlement of their civil action for wrongful death of their 16-year-old son, Tyler Hill; invasion of privacy; and fraud against Ambassadors Group Inc., People to People International, docleaf Ltd. and other individuals. The Hills signed the release on July 30. The terms of the settlement are confidential. Tyler died on a People to People Student Ambassador Trip to Japan on June 29, 2007. Since Tyler’s death, the Hill’s have been on a passionate mission to protect other traveling youth and have sought accountability, justice, restitution and reform.
REFORM: Traveling Youth’s Standards of Safety Legislation
The Hill’s mission for the safety of kids participating in travel programs is far from over. They seek reform through a bi-partisan federal law and the Traveling Youth’s Standards of Safety (TY’s SOS legislation), and have engaged Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Congressman Erik Paulsen (R-MN). The pursued legislation is to ensure safety measures, sanctions and penalties are in place to protect traveling youth. No safety standards, sanctions or penalties exist to protect children’s health and safety rights while entrusted to third parties, especially during travel programs. Children have been denied health care, died, hurt, abandoned, raped and suffered severe illnesses, while traveling with some student travel programs. There is currently no oversight committee watch dogging the student travel industry.
Danielle Grijalva, director for the Committee for Safety of Foreign Exchange Students, applauds the Hill’s advocacy for safety and sanctions during travel abroad programs. She said, “I receive numerous complaints about other travel agencies from children and their parents about supervisors being intoxicated, molestations, children being denied health care when they are sick, unsanitary living quarters and ‘unaccounted for’ children. Parents need to inform themselves of the safety record of agencies and supervisors they are entrusting their kids to.” Grijalva recommends parents contact foreign police authorities to report abuse and then contact local, state and federal agencies to report child endangerment. Until laws are passed to impose sanctions and potential imprisonment, Grijalva believes that egregious stories like Tyler’s will remain all too common.
About Tyler Hill
Tyler Hill was born on June 6, 1991, on the anniversary of D-Day, in Edina, Minn. A natural athlete and honor roll student, Tyler was a first year MVP for rugby, a tight end in football, a winger in hockey and an advanced scuba diver. He was a junior officer of the Mound Westonka High School DECA club, and he discovered and reported a bomb threat to school authorities and was recognized for his actions. Ty will be remembered for his big smile and tender heart. He passed away on June 29, 2007, while on a People to People Student Ambassadors trip to Tokyo, Japan, apparently from severe dehydration. For more of Tyler’s story, visit Details About Tyler Hill’s Death During a People to People Student Ambassador Trip and the T Hill Bill for Safety Standards.
my freak-ish mom wants me to go!!!
ugh!
This is a great way to travel and save your budget. And you can also find some new friends
I hope they will choose the smart and independent students because the kids deserve it. This will be a new experience for them
I think they must save some slots for the poor kids, cause they are the one who need it the most. This will show them a whole new world out there
I was invited to travel with people to people a few times for soccer, but i couldn’t go, because I had no idea how much money it cost to go. does anyone know?
Hey,i was invited to England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland for the 2010 summer trip.
I was wondering around how much might it cost?