Anyone have experience with People to People?

[gardentraveler]

My nephew (a 6th grader) has been recommended for this program. As a student ambassador, I imagine. The name sounds vaguely familiar, but all I know about the organization is what I've learned from their website.

I was hoping there would be Dopers out there who could tell me more about their programs, and share both good and bad experiences. My brother and nephew were going to an informational meeting tonight, but I'd like to hear about the program from unofficial sources.

Thanks in advance for any information!

[Doxy]

I'd be interested in knowing as well. My daughter (10th grade) was invited as well.... we'll be looking into it a little closer but any personal stories NOT affiliated with their website would hold more weight with us.

[swampbear]

Waaaaaay back in the day, circa mid 70s when I was ursine of the college type I met some People To People "Ambassadors". They were the perkiest people I had ever met! Seriously. Bouncing around, isn't life wonderful, people are great, could you just puke from the perkiness, perky. Honestly, there was something not quite right with the whole concept to me. It seemed cultlike. I never did get a good understanding on just how they were funded either. Just didn't seem right to me.

Hopefully some others will have had a different experience or even been involved and can shed some more light.

[Nava]

My first thought was that it sounded like it might be the organization that's known as "Viva la Gente" in Spanish, the goals and setup seem similar, but that turned out to be a different one called "Up With People".

And now I have the "Viva la gente" song bouncing around my brain... ... la hay donde quiera que vas, viva la gente, es lo que nos gusta más, con más gente a favor de gente en todo pueblo y nación habría menos gente difícil y más gente con corazón...

[Czarcasm]

Originally Posted by gardentraveler

My nephew (a 6th grader) has been recommended for this program.

Recommended by who? Was it a teacher, or was it the organization itself, because it looks like a "nomination" only consists of someone adding your name to their mailing list. The cost of a 17 day trip to China was approximately $5500(including insurance).

[Dragwyr]

My oldest boy got invited to participate in this program as well. We don't know by whom, but we suspect that my father in law (his grandfather) had something to do with it.

Its the same program my nephew did about 3 years ago. When he went, they took him on a 3 week trip to Italy, France, and Greece. It was a great experience for him. He made a lot of friends and now has an experience he can put down on resume's.

It's a legitimate program, but the expense is rather large on the part of the family sending the child. My understanding is that there is some sort of qualification process, but in the end it boils down to who is willing to pay for the kid to go.

[gardentraveler]

Originally Posted by Czarcasm

Recommended by who? Was it a teacher, or was it the organization itself, because it looks like a "nomination" only consists of someone adding your name to their mailing list. The cost of a 17 day trip to China was approximately $5500(including insurance).

A teacher.

Originally Posted by Dragwyr

My oldest boy got invited to participate in this program as well. We don't know by whom, but we suspect that my father in law (his grandfather) had something to do with it.

Its the same program my nephew did about 3 years ago. When he went, they took him on a 3 week trip to Italy, France, and Greece. It was a great experience for him. He made a lot of friends and now has an experience he can put down on resume's.

It's a legitimate program, but the expense is rather large on the part of the family sending the child. My understanding is that there is some sort of qualification process, but in the end it boils down to who is willing to pay for the kid to go.

This was pretty much the feeling I was getting. Thanks for the the info!

Anyone else with experiences to share?

Thanks.

[Electric Warrior]

Yep it's legit and was actually founded by Eisenhower, and nope, the 'recommendations' don't really mean much - the program makes itself out to be highly selective, and it is not. I went on one of their trips (British Isles) when I was 14 and had the time of my life. It is more or less part student exchange, part cultural tourism that parents pay a lot of money for but it really is quite in-depth and is educational. I felt it was a great way to get out in the world, see and do things I would not have otherwise experienced, be independent, and learn about a different way of life from my own. I recommend it if you feel the expense is manageable.

[gardentraveler]

Thanks for the info, Electric Warrior. I'm glad to have the perspective of someone who actually participated.

Sounds like my nephew might be able to go to Paris if we're able to swing the $$$.

[Prelude to Fascination]

My oldest daughter graduated high school in 2007, but when she was in the 6th grade, she was recommended for PtP. We'd never heard of it, so we did a lot of checking, and went to meetings, and found out it was a great program. That year she went to Yosemite, and the next to England, Ireland and Wales.

I'll second the cost. It's not a trip to the movies (as if that's cheap these days), but c'mon, your child gets to travel to places most people only dream of visiting, and learns not only about other cultures, but about travel itself, as well as other people from his/her own country as well as those from foreign countries.

My opinion is if you can afford it, definitely do it. It's an invaluable experience.