Anyone know what People to People is?
Sep 23rd, 2006, 07:30 AM
#21
I love the idea of going to Europe in high school!! It is one of my very few regrets in life... that I never took advantage or foreign exchange programs or seriously studied a foreign language when I had the chance.
That said, it doesn't sound like this particular group is the best choice possibly?
That said, it doesn't sound like this particular group is the best choice possibly?
Sep 23rd, 2006, 07:52 AM
#22
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People to People is a great concept and their tours are reliable, but I think that if your son is interested in going abroad and having a truly international experience, he should consider some exchange programs. Rotary is the cheapest, but in my experience, AFS is the best. A few friends of mine did EF and were really disappointed.
For what you pay People to People, you could take your son on a really awesome trip.
For what you pay People to People, you could take your son on a really awesome trip.
Sep 23rd, 2006, 08:19 AM
#23
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Well, we showed him the letter when he got home after his football game and all he could say was "Twenty days? I can't miss that much weightlifting!!!" We thought that was pretty funny. Typical boy with a one track mind response.
We're going to look into it. We live in an AG town and many of the kids have been on 4H tours, which, IMO, are wonderful. They get into arranged experiences behind closed doors that other "tourists" would not have access to, so I want to see if this program offers some opportunities like that.
Just out of curiosity, the tour is 20 days, Paris, France, Rome, Florence, Sicily, Malta...How much would be "reasonable" of a cost? I wanted to have an idea before we go to the first meeting. I was thinking $100 a day and then about 1 K to get back and forth...so about $3000 and then tack on a few fees, so maybe any price over $4 K would be excessive? What do you think of those calculations?
One plus already, in my mind, is the calaber of kids he might be traveling with. We are bunched with major nearby CA city, and it might be good for him to be exposed to some of those other kids from other areas? Or maybe not good...
We'll just have to go to the meeting and see what it looks like. Thanks all of your help and info. I will report back in November after we go to the meeting and hopefully have more of an idea of what all this is about.
We're going to look into it. We live in an AG town and many of the kids have been on 4H tours, which, IMO, are wonderful. They get into arranged experiences behind closed doors that other "tourists" would not have access to, so I want to see if this program offers some opportunities like that.
Just out of curiosity, the tour is 20 days, Paris, France, Rome, Florence, Sicily, Malta...How much would be "reasonable" of a cost? I wanted to have an idea before we go to the first meeting. I was thinking $100 a day and then about 1 K to get back and forth...so about $3000 and then tack on a few fees, so maybe any price over $4 K would be excessive? What do you think of those calculations?
One plus already, in my mind, is the calaber of kids he might be traveling with. We are bunched with major nearby CA city, and it might be good for him to be exposed to some of those other kids from other areas? Or maybe not good...
We'll just have to go to the meeting and see what it looks like. Thanks all of your help and info. I will report back in November after we go to the meeting and hopefully have more of an idea of what all this is about.
Sep 23rd, 2006, 08:37 AM
#24
OK - it seems you didn't read many (any) of the responses. It is not an "honor" - anyone w/ the money can go. It is a commercial operation and not a real "people to people" ambassadors program.
And even if it were, how much "people to people" time could there be w/ just 20 days for Paris, "France" (France is a big place - any more details than that? ), Rome, Florence, Sicily, and Malta?
It is NOT the same as it was when founded by Pres. Eisenhower.
And even if it were, how much "people to people" time could there be w/ just 20 days for Paris, "France" (France is a big place - any more details than that? ), Rome, Florence, Sicily, and Malta?
It is NOT the same as it was when founded by Pres. Eisenhower.
Sep 23rd, 2006, 08:49 AM
#25
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Parents get sucked in by the idea that this will look "good" on a college brag sheet. If you read the responses, you'd see that ANYBODY can pay to go. If I were an admissions officer, I would not be impressed.
Sep 23rd, 2006, 09:00 AM
#26
I guess my thought is that I wouldn't drop that kind of money for something your kid isn't even really interested in doing. If he was begging to go, ready to get a job to raise the money himself, etc. I might look into it further, or try to find a similar but better alternative trip.
But like he clearly told you, he'd rather be weighlifting!
But like he clearly told you, he'd rather be weighlifting!
Sep 23rd, 2006, 09:09 AM
#27
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The response your son gave may be an insight into his interest in the trip. He may well value weightlifting more than travel in Europe. Really talk with him to see if it is something he would truly value. You don't mention how much travel you and/or your family have done, but as an adult, you may feel this is an incredible opportunity. Realize however, that he has his entire life ahead of him to travel -- if he so chooses. Also, when he is older he may have more of an interest in traveling around Europe and would/could be able to do so with a friend for much less than People to People offer (and choose the sites that most interest him). My son and daughter were invited several times while they were in school (we went to the info meeting), and ended up taking them on a trip to France for about the same as P2P would have and we saw much more. My son has since traveled to Europe with a friend as a graduation present, and my daughter when to live with a family in France for 2 weeks after her graduation. Neither of which cost anything close to what P2P does. As an option, if after you go to the info meeting he says he is interested in going, you might have him earn/save some of his own money to make the trip. That way you will know whether he is truly interested in doing it.
Sep 23rd, 2006, 10:50 AM
#28
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Many kids are "invited" on a P to P trip as mentioned many times previously. The price tag is quite high and you could do just as well planning a trip on your own and taking the family. We have taken our kids, ages 16 and 20, on five 3-week summer trips to Europe planning everything ourselves via the internet and everyone of them has been wonderful. Any travel abroad can be put on a college resume and application. It does not have to be through an expensive organized group trip.
Sep 23rd, 2006, 10:55 AM
#29
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Janisj, it isn't that I didn't read the responses. It is that we are not basing this decision on the responses. As a parent, I need more info as to price, caliber of kids, opportunities the tour has to offer, etc. Forgive me if I feel the need to know this info first hand. As much as I do value the opinions here, I value the facts of this opportunity more. I am weighing in the info here and going to the meeting (they have six btw, before you go). I do not believe in just walking away from an opportunity before I have investigated it completely. We are funny that way.
So, for those who want to know the "facts", I plan to report back after the meeting. You will check back so you can see if you have the chance to say to me "you told us so", LOL.
Anyway, it is all so exciting. My son has not been to Europe. We have traveled a quite bit in the states, so this would be a new experience for him.
OD went last summer on an EF tour to Europe, and frankly, we were disappointed in some of the tour, but she got a lot out of it overall. Way too much time on a bus for me and too many ruins. But she got to see many incredible things and even the "bad" stuff provided a memorable experience.
Suze, you said "drop that kind of money"...what kind of money? We haven't been given a cost yet. Does anyone here know what kind of money?
Thanks again, all, for your help and opinions...
So, for those who want to know the "facts", I plan to report back after the meeting. You will check back so you can see if you have the chance to say to me "you told us so", LOL.
Anyway, it is all so exciting. My son has not been to Europe. We have traveled a quite bit in the states, so this would be a new experience for him.
OD went last summer on an EF tour to Europe, and frankly, we were disappointed in some of the tour, but she got a lot out of it overall. Way too much time on a bus for me and too many ruins. But she got to see many incredible things and even the "bad" stuff provided a memorable experience.
Suze, you said "drop that kind of money"...what kind of money? We haven't been given a cost yet. Does anyone here know what kind of money?
Thanks again, all, for your help and opinions...
Sep 23rd, 2006, 11:51 AM
#31
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Heavens, I hope your son can have an opportunity to experience Europe, whatever it is. The only issue I have is that you call this an "opportunity" that you don't want to walk away from. Are you not listening? This is no more an "opportunity" than any kind of advertisement you'd see in a magazine or receive in a bulk mailing. It is a business. They are looking for people willing to pay to go. What kind of "opportunity" are you talking about walking away from?
Perhaps, this will work out and you will like the entire thing. That's fine. I just hesitate that you are considering this because you think he has somehow been specially chosen for some honor. The only "honor" is that someone apparently thought you could afford it. Period.
Perhaps, this will work out and you will like the entire thing. That's fine. I just hesitate that you are considering this because you think he has somehow been specially chosen for some honor. The only "honor" is that someone apparently thought you could afford it. Period.
Sep 23rd, 2006, 11:53 AM
#32
I wasn't saying you shouldn't look into it - but after all the explanations that there really aren't any criteria you said "<i>One plus already, in my mind, is the calaber of kids he might be traveling with.</i>
The only "Caliber" - is that they have enough money to pay for the trip.
The only "Caliber" - is that they have enough money to pay for the trip.
Sep 23rd, 2006, 04:20 PM
#33
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Neapolitan, give it a rest. It is an honor to the extent that one of the kid's teachers thinks enough of him to maybe want to spend 6 weeks trekking around Europe with him. I don't think anyone ever had the idea that it was some sort of really important ambassador program.
Sep 23rd, 2006, 05:08 PM
#34
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A teacher can get enough students to go so he/she gets a free trip to Europe. And he recommends those who can afford to buy the trip.
What a very naive post.
I used to be a teacher too, and got dozens of those proposals. I would not give all my students names as people to send their advertising to.
What a very naive post.
I used to be a teacher too, and got dozens of those proposals. I would not give all my students names as people to send their advertising to.
Sep 23rd, 2006, 05:43 PM
#35
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"I don't think anyone ever had the idea that it was some sort of really important ambassador program."
Huh? Is that why the official name is "People to People Student Ambassador Program"?
I realize your experience was great, Bob, and you are very sensitive about that. I don't mean to put down your wonderful experience. But let's face it -- that was 22 years ago. A lot can happen in that amount of time. I would suggest you look at their current website. It makes it clear that anyone can go -- it has nothing to do with being "selected" or "recommended" by anyone -- teacher or otherwise. Thinking this is some sort of honor is just plain naive.
Huh? Is that why the official name is "People to People Student Ambassador Program"?
I realize your experience was great, Bob, and you are very sensitive about that. I don't mean to put down your wonderful experience. But let's face it -- that was 22 years ago. A lot can happen in that amount of time. I would suggest you look at their current website. It makes it clear that anyone can go -- it has nothing to do with being "selected" or "recommended" by anyone -- teacher or otherwise. Thinking this is some sort of honor is just plain naive.
Sep 23rd, 2006, 05:59 PM
#36
janisj - The caliber of students in my area that go are the ones that don't have the money, are C students at best, and think this is an "honor", not a student tour company. They get the local paper to write about them receiving this "honor" and begging for money.
Heavens - I think it's fine if you can afford to send your son and he wants to go. For price comparison, you can look at some of the other student tour companies. EF and Explorica will be the cheap budget tours (20 days about $2500) while ACIS and NETC (20 days about $4000-4500) will be the nicest (but still way cheaper that P2P) and Passports and CHA will be in the mid-range.
P2P should be cheaper since part of it is supposed to be homestay, but if I remember correctly it was somewhere in the $6000 range several years ago.
Your child will receive many honors and awards in the mail over the next few years. Summer programs at Stanford (and other schools), Who's Who, National Scholastic Honor this or that and all are "bought" awards/honors. Real awards or honors don't require payment.
Heavens - I think it's fine if you can afford to send your son and he wants to go. For price comparison, you can look at some of the other student tour companies. EF and Explorica will be the cheap budget tours (20 days about $2500) while ACIS and NETC (20 days about $4000-4500) will be the nicest (but still way cheaper that P2P) and Passports and CHA will be in the mid-range.
P2P should be cheaper since part of it is supposed to be homestay, but if I remember correctly it was somewhere in the $6000 range several years ago.
Your child will receive many honors and awards in the mail over the next few years. Summer programs at Stanford (and other schools), Who's Who, National Scholastic Honor this or that and all are "bought" awards/honors. Real awards or honors don't require payment.
Sep 23rd, 2006, 06:41 PM
#37
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Neapolitan, I'm crushed. You mean for 22 years I have thought I was something special because I was an Ambassador, and now I find out I was being used by a greedy teacher?
Lighten up! What, were you beaten up as a kid by a bunch of People to People kids?
Lighten up! What, were you beaten up as a kid by a bunch of People to People kids?
Sep 23rd, 2006, 06:43 PM
#38
My daughter just got one of these letters in the mail today. She got one several years ago also. A friend in N. Cal. sent their daughter to Australia with this group: they had to raise $5,000!! I figured we could do a trip for all of us for around that amount or just a little more.
The letter is going into the shredder.
MY
The letter is going into the shredder.
MY
Sep 23rd, 2006, 06:53 PM
#39
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Our grandson was "invited" this year to go to Japan next summer for 14 days on this program, and our daughter just went to the information meeting 2 nights ago. She was of the thinking that, as it was partially a "home stay" with a host family, the price would be fairly reasonable. Does $6500 for 14 days sound reasonable to anyone out there?! They must be paying the host families big money to take in a student. Obviously, he's not going.
However, we had already planned to take him and his younger brother to Italy next spring break for their first "abroad" experience, so he's not too disappointed! Sounds like a great money-making experience for somebody, though.
However, we had already planned to take him and his younger brother to Italy next spring break for their first "abroad" experience, so he's not too disappointed! Sounds like a great money-making experience for somebody, though.
