Question about High School Student Travel

[Phil Fields]

Hello,
This question is off of the Quality subject, but I wanted to know if anyone has experience with the following group “People to People International, Student Ambassador Program."
My wife and I recently received a letter in the mail for our son (high school), to travel and study in Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji in 2007. I have looked at their web site www.studentambassadors.org and it looks legitimate.
Has anyone heard of this organization, and does anyone have any experience (good/bad) with them?

Thanks,
Phil

 

[gpainter]

My daughter had received one a few years ago and we went to the meeting. Fairly expensive, but would be a good experience. With the current international environment, not sure that i would want my child traveling.

 

[Randy]

Oh heck yeah man. Something like this is a great chance for a kid and I've met some students in the program. In fact a couple of weeks ago I helped a German kid negotiate around DFW airport and get to Fayetteville, Arkansas. His flight had been cancelled at JFK, he was re-routed to DFW instead of Chicago and was put on a Fort Smith flight. With a couple of phone calls to the AA Platinum desk and Judi at home we got his US family down to Fort Smith (less than an hour drive) with no fuss. He's now in Fayetteville HS

 

[Laura M]

This is a legitimate program. My kids did not do it, but one went to the meetings. I know someone whose daughter went to New Zealand one year and Europe the next. She loved it. Lot's of $ and they propose all kind of fundraising suggestions. I decided if my son did it we would just foot the bill. But we ended up not persuing. But the guy I know whose daughter did it can't say enough good things about the program. She has friends all over the world now.

I know the envelope shows up making the kid feel all 'special' and I'm sure they are semi-selective but they do do a mass mailing to find the kids.

 

[Greg B]

One of the tours comes thru my home town on days 9-10 of the Australian Tour. It is a magic itinerary and I'm sure many Australians would love the chance to undertake the same tour. It has many of the great Australian icons during the tour. the Great Barrier Reef, Whitsunday Islands, Crocodile farms, Magnificent Beaches, Sydney etc etc

 

[Phil Fields]

Thank you all, this is one of those tough decisions of letting your kids go. Will they learn much, will they be safe, how much it will cost, etc. Your replies are very helpful, my wife and I will take the next step and sign up for the information meeting.

Thank you,
Phil

 

[gpainter]

Teachers go on the trip with them and I believe that they even get some college credit for going, if memory serves me . Supposedly they are picked by a teacher nomination for good grades, conduct and attitude. Just had a guy ask about the same thing this morning. Good Luck and it would be an opportunity, regardless.

 

[triner]

This is a legitimate program. All 3 of my sons went on trips sponsored by People to People. My oldest son went to England, Scotland and Wales just this summer. My other 2 boys went to Australia. They were wonderful experiences for each of them. Not only the trip, but the preparation was good. It was a wonderful growing experience.

The program is very safe, they work closely with the State Department to assess threats. When the London bombings occurred last summer, I got regular updates from people to people on the situation. They take security very seriously.

The program is expensive, some people do a lot of fundraising to help defray the cost. My recommendation, if you can make it happen, do it. Your kids will be better off for it.

 

[Wes Bucey]

I'm curious. How about a ballpark figure for HOW EXPENSIVE?

Are we talking $2,000 USD or $10,000 USD?

Round trip airfare alone has to be expensive. Typical escorted travel has one escort for each fifteen people and those fifteen are charged enough extra to cover escort's travel expenses plus a salary plus an agency commission for the folks who coordinate everything. Some folk get to go on cruises for little or nothing if they are "available" to be dance and dinner partners for paying singles. Guess whose fare is jacked up to cover that expense?

Most of the agencies putting together escorted travel and education tours are very reputable and earn every dollar.

Some universities put together archaeology and paleontology expeditions with working professors for non-students who'd like to do something more than just READ National Geographic. Their payments help defray university costs in mounting the expedition.

 

[triner]

Ballpark costs: Between $5,000 and $6,000. This covers air fare, lodging, food, and transportation between each stop. The trips last between 16 - 20 days and they have a very full itinerary.

Group size is usually 40 students and 4 advisors who are generally school teachers. The program was founded by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.n