Beatle

mzambo- I am taking 20 students to Europe in mid April, and we are still going. The tour group is in DAILY contact with their staff throughout Europe- they will NOT take any chances. When someone says they don't want their child to travel now but "someday" they will, who knows when and if "someday" will ever happen. Unfortunately terrorism is now a fact of life. Personally I will continue to travel on my terms, not theirs. Many former students who have travelled with me, have gone back to Europe several times since then. If your daughter wants to go, let her! A new world may open for her!

RufusTFirefly

Let her go. Any risks are not significantly different from those she would encounter if she stayed home.

truebrit

You should definitely let your daughter come over here. Sure, there have been large demonstrations against the war in places like London (where I live) but so have there been in Manhattan, San Francisco, etc. <BR><BR>Naturally, it's on the news all the time, but we do have lives to live and other things to talk about!<BR><BR>We are capable of distinguishing between the policy of the US government and the views of individual Americans. In fact, the majority view of American friends living here, or tourists I have bumped into, has been anti-war.

xxx16

If I had a daughter I wouldn't let her go on any overnight school trip, especially in Europe. Not because of the political climate but because of all the underage drinking and sex that goes on. The curfew and bedcheck info on the permission/waiver slips are hogwash. Anyone who has ever gone on one of these student trips organized by CHA or ETA etc. knows what I'm talking about. I've been on 3 of these trips and had the best time, nothing like a real French kiss in France by a local.

df

My son or daughter would be the very first on the plane. The only reason that my son is not participating in school trips this year is that we were told in Sept that if there was a war, they would be cancelled, and we would loose all our money. In the last week, the board has cancelled every trip. I'm glad that we opted for a family trip to Italy, and yes, we all leave in two weeks. With regard to France, I took my son there last year after the schools cancelled all trips re 9/11. We were there for the French elections and riots, educational and enjoyable as long as you use common sense. I've always believed that travel is the best form of education. As long as your daughter wants to go, let her. She's too young for a life of what ifs.

elina

I cannot imagine that somebody would abuse or attack a kid, for heaven´s sake! Nor adult, for that matter. I read that government warning, and I think it is awful they intimidate people like that. Have any of you heard of a single attack on Americans in Europe? An attack that is based on his nationality. Ask the government on what bases they are giving these warnings concerning safe countries.<BR><BR>People in those peace demonstrations are ordinary people, not some hooligans or criminals or political activists. At least here gentle grandmothers are usually a big group of participants. They are PEACE demonstrations, not rallies opposing globalisation.<BR><BR>All your daughter has to do is behave nicely and politely, and people don´t give a second thought of her nationality. Do not let her down by not letting her go.<BR><BR>Europeans do not attack Americans, no matter what your government wants you to believe.

andy

Mzambo- I would DEFINITELY heed the State Dept. warning- On another post, someone listed that the USEMBASSY in Paris was closed and only emergencys were being handled currently....<BR><BR>If this were my daughter, I would defintely CANCEL the trip...With all the Anti-American sentiment all over the world, esp.France, I would not want to be anywhere near there--<BR><BR>Spain, on the other hand is a good ally of the US and I would have no problem letting my child go to Spain....<BR><BR>Did you take out trip cancellation insurance? Usually, they only allow cancellations if there is war on US soil----need to really read the fine print.....<BR><BR><BR>If she is still set on going, then keep abreast of the situation on a day to day basis and make your decision accordingly....<BR><BR>My sister cancelled my neice's trip to Haifa the day before the class was supposed to leave....while my neice was upset, she was still alive and well.....She eventually went to France 6 mos later and endured NUMEROUS Anti-American and Anti-Jewish sentiment directly at all the American people....<BR>Gave her a completely NEW outlook on France- and she has no desire to return any time soon...<BR><BR>Her school recommended that all kids NOT wear any US or UNIVERSITY sweatshirts,baseball hats --ie.anything that would allow people to know they were Americans....She spoke FLUENT FRENCH with a French accent....and had major problems in Paris.....She kept telling people she was Canadian.......even that did not help----<BR><BR>So---you make up your own mind-- If it were my daughter no amount of money lost would allow me to let her go to Europe in these trying time.....

Ann41

I just got back (last night) from England and Ireland, and spoke to a friend who arrived back from Paris last week. Neither one of us encountered any anit-American sentiment. People simply wanted to discuss the situation with us, and find out our views.<BR><BR>I would let my daughter go, but before she went, I would make sure that she's well informed on what's going on in the world, and is able to discuss and defend her opinion intelligently, without getting upset and feel like she's being attacked if someone disagrees with her.

Elainee

I would certainly let my daughter go. In fact, my daughter is in London as we speak. She will probably go to Paris for part of the week on business and she was in Madrid last week. Now she is older than your daughter,but she has been traveling since she was 8 years old. The world certainly has not been at peace for all that time. On the other hand, I would not want her to travel to Bagdad, Beruit, or even Dubai this week. Some common sense is in order. I assume you are satisfied with the common sense of the adults going on the trip. I am certain that they will not take the kids to observe any demonstrations and they will lead the kids away if they bump into any. If the kids are trying to hide their being Americans...won't work. I am sure these kids are polite and respectful of others. In that case, they will have no problems. My daughter went with a school group when she was 14 and then on a privately arranged exchange when she was 15. Both were great. Now she lives in London...so maybe they weren't so great (for me) after all.

rex

I know I need to turn away from taking this personally - - but it feels like the posts from jammer, andy and bowen are personal ATTACKS on values held very deeply and fundamentally by those who cherish Europe travel and the function of this message board.<BR><BR>I trust that mzambo will understand that a very pro-travel biased answer is what was bound to be expressed here, and that the clear reading of the majority of opinions are firmly opposed to the negativism of their posts.<BR>

Queenie

<BR>Just to put Jammer and andy's replies in perspective:<BR>That &quot;Worldwide Caution&quot; from the State Dept. has been in effect basically since Sept. 11. Its a CYA announcement. It is nothing new.<BR><BR>And it does not say do not travel - it says 'Be Cautious&quot;...I am quite sure the supervisors of your daughters trip are aware of this.

AC

Hi:<BR>Let her go and tell to enjoy herself.<BR><BR>Another question.... any room in her suitcase for a stowaway )!??

DougP

Presumably the school trip is an educational experience, it was for me. IMO it is important to know more, just more of anything, and the best way to learn what we don't know is to go out and learn it, sometimes from people who have the experience. I went on a school trip and it changed my view of the world. I had more knowledge than before I travelled so my new views on the world and myself were probably more reflective of reality.<BR>As it stands now there is probably no more danger in Europe than in the US ( guessing where you live), but things will change. Stay tuned.

JackOneill

<BR><BR>Jeeze, I can't believe the number of posts in favor of letting her travel. As a few people who have tried mentioning, there is a war going on.<BR><BR>As much as I really don't like saying this (because I've never been accused of being cautious), I think now's a good time to practice caution. I think we've become a target. Will all of us who travel be targets? Heck no. Could some of us? Heck yeah.<BR><BR>All I'm saying is be cautious. I think the school should extend the cancellation deadline, and I think they will if enough parents ask them too. This is not a unique position for the school to find themselves in.<BR><BR>Wait a few weeks and see what's happening in the world before making the decision (assuming they extend the deadline).<BR><BR>By the way, what does your daughter want to do?<BR>

Keith

&quot;As a few people who have tried mentioning, there is a war going on.&quot;<BR><BR>President Bush said that we were at war after 911 and he has said that it will go on for many years. If you feel it is unsafe to travel to places like France and Spain now, you may not travel again for a very long time.<BR><BR> Keith

Lil

My daughters first trip to France was when she was 13 and she saw plenty of protests at the time. It seems like there is always a strike or protest of some kind going on in Paris at any given time.<BR><BR>She gained invaluable knowledge from being there. Her mind was opened to other peoples view of world wide situations. She knew not to act like the &quot;ugle american&quot; and listened alot.<BR><BR>Did she have fun? YES! She will be going again in a few months (age 15 now) and is looking forward to it.<BR><BR>Should she become worried as the travel date comes closer I will leave the decision of going or not up to her.<BR><BR>Vacations (holidays) are suppose to be fun and a learning experience. If she would not be comfortable I wouldn't care how much money I was out, she could stay at home.<BR><BR>

nina

Yes, there is a war going on, I still don't think that fact is going to impact a school trip to Europe! I frankly feel safer in Europe than I do in NYC right now. I really don't believe that children are going to be in any greater danger in Europe then they are at home.<BR><BR>I went to Spain at 13 and it was the best esperience of my youth, and I didn't get a chance to get back to Europe for many, many years later.<BR><BR>My neighbor left yesterday with his 11 year old son for a hockey tournament in Sweden. All the children are from Team USA and are wearing jackets with USA printed in bold letters on their backs, with their heads held high. Not a single child backed out.<BR><BR>

katie_canadian

Absolutely let her go! My husband and I are going to Paris in two weeks and can't wait! <BR><BR>Initially, I was a little concerned because I kept hearing how &quot;tense&quot; the relationship was between the US and France, and some of my American friends can't believe I'm still going (I'm not American, but who can tell when you travel to Europe, or anywhere for that matter?). It's funny, this whole concern about travelling to France is something that has been blown way out of proportion by people and the media here in the US, and only in the US. I've talked to friends in England and Canada, all who keep up on current events daily, and they haven't even heard about the whole anti-French sentiments in the US. Nor have they heard of any incidents of Americans being mistreated. They've been watching the coverage of war protests all over the world, and they haven't heard a thing about France being unsafe for anyone! Oh, and they nearly wet their pants laughing when I told them about &quot;freedom fries&quot;!!! My point is, this silly stuff is only newsworthy in the USA. The whole &quot;fear of being mistreated&quot; is most likely being fueled by those who dislike the French to begin with. Don't lose any sleep over it.<BR><BR>Sincerely,<BR>A Canadian living in America, and soon to be in Paris!<BR>

elina

Katie, I think those &quot;freedom fries&quot; and pouring French wine down the drain and boycotts to French restaurants are well known in Europe. All the more reason for me to wonder those anti-American suspicions that Americans have. Sounds more like the French should be afraid to travel to US.

JoeyJoJoJr_Shabadoo

<BR>It's obviously a tough choice that you alone have to make. I did notice that many here who said &quot;yes! send her&quot; were not explicity stating they would send their own daughters. Would I send my daughter if she were old enough? If she had good (smart, trustworthy) escorts, yes.<BR><BR>As for boycotts, you should be aware of a story by Reuters today that there are growing boycotts of American goods in services, mainly in Germany but spreading elsewhere. Many German stores and restaurants are not serving Coca Cola or accepting the American Express card to protest the war. I don't have the link handy but it's a Reuters newswire story.