Report: People To People Student Ambassador Program
Category: Camps & Campgrounds
People To People Student Ambassador Program Summer Camp Ground Negligence with an attitude
*Consumer Comment ..What a bunch of spoiled brats, or is it travel agency employees filing rebuttals?
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People To People Student Ambassador Program
Fax:
Spokane, Washington, 99202-4800
U.S.A.
Submitted: 6/28/2001 12:00:00 AM
Modified: 1/3/2009 4:58:47 PM
Penny
Euless, TXI JUST WANT PARENTS TO BE AWARE OF THIS TERRIBLE PROGRAM AND TO GIVE MUCH THOUGHT TO SENDING THEIR CHILDREN ON IT.
My 12 year old daughter was 'invited' to attend a meeting of the People to People Student Ambassador Program in October 1999, regarding a summer camp trip in June 2000 to Yosemite National Park. She was supposedly recommended by her teachers or another student ambassador for this 'special opportunity.' We went to the meeting and we decided that it would be something we should try for. It was $2500 and you had to pass some interviews and take recommendations from other adults.
My daughter was very excited and even contributed some of the money from her savings account to help pay for her trip because that is a large sum of money to come up with, even with payments.
We went to a meeting every month between December and June. The leaders promised the children would not be left alone and promised to take good care of them. On the second day my daughter had twisted her knee and when she called that evening she said she was having a good time.
I asked to talk to a leader. She had a previous injury there and I wanted to make sure they were aware of that. Ms. Bird got on the phone and I asked her to put some ice on my daughters' knee and she informed me that it had an ace bandage on it and she would have to hike on it tomorrow regardless of her situation because there was noone to stay with her at the campsite.
Ms. Bird was extremely rude and short and made the statement 'This is the reason we don't like them to call their parents.' I began to become bothered at this point at the attitude of this woman.
On the fourth evening my daughter called me hysterically crying and begging me to come pick her up. My daughter is not an emotional girl to say the least. She is an extremely brave individual who races bandelero cars and is very active in many sports. After assuring her I would fly from Texas to California the next day to get her, she calmed down.
To make a long story a little shorter, the leaders were very rude to my daughter, pulling her out of line and telling her to 'shut up' when she was crying. They were in elevations over 6000 ft and they LOST her in the woods! They had this thing called a 'solo hike' where you wait 2 minutes after the person in front of you has left and my daughter must have taken a wrong turn because 2 strangers found her and brought her back to her group.
There were many more incidents during the 5 days she was there but it would take pages to tell it all. She is still having problems due to the negligence of this trip and has been seeing a pychologist.
I've wrote them a letter asking for a refund, complained to the BBB and they refuse to do anything about it. I thought about suing but there's no way I'd put my daughter through that again.
At this point I just want to try and help someone not make the same mistake I did.
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Updates & Rebuttals:
- People to People is the best program out there. Amy [3/17/2002 12:00:00 AM]
- One Bad Apple Dosen't Spoil The Whole Bunch Julie [6/13/2002 4:04:28 PM]
- People to People Advocate Anita [7/2/2002 5:00:40 PM]
- People to People Is Awesome! Lynn [7/23/2002 7:07:13 PM]
- People to People was Wonderful for my child Kimberly [8/28/2002 4:50:42 AM]
- Four Votes for People to People Joseph [11/5/2002 11:32:44 AM]
- People to People is a Quality Organization Ethanie and Richard [12/4/2002 3:29:39 PM]
- How Dare You ..I think that this is a completely ridiculous statement. Jessi [6/12/2003 3:22:42 PM]
- an awesome opportunity to see the world and stay with families Angela [10/29/2003 1:47:33 PM]
- People to People is great Samantha [6/13/2004 12:04:51 AM]
- You Rude Person, How Could You Say Something About Such A Wonderful, Peace-loving Program!? Brittany S. [7/25/2004 5:22:11 PM]
- My Trip To Yosemite,1999 Danyelle [8/10/2004 2:40:39 PM]
- My problem with People To People Student Ambassador Program Larry [10/4/2004 12:54:09 PM]
- Price of People to People Programs Samantha [10/5/2004 9:07:41 AM]
- I was a P2P student ambassador 2004 Exploring Australia trip ! Anm [11/9/2004 8:22:43 PM]
- What an educational experience Karen [11/15/2004 12:55:15 PM]
- Thank you! Kate [8/24/2005 8:23:34 AM]
- Bashing in the name of your personal agenda Kami [4/9/2006 11:28:42 PM]
- People to People: pros and cons Joyce [4/11/2006 11:27:37 PM]
- You're dead wrong! Stephanie [7/27/2006 10:58:47 PM]
- Another incident of bad P2P program June [8/12/2006 12:23:04 AM]
- Real Programs don't just Start with a Letter Francisco [8/19/2006 12:28:39 PM]
- Terrible propaganda Kami - Owensboro, Kentucky Troy [9/13/2006 11:05:46 PM]
- My daughter is invited to leave the country at a time of war...no thanks! Frances [9/17/2006 9:15:30 PM]
- People to People Attitudes Kayne [9/22/2006 1:54:40 PM]
- Questions Melissa [9/27/2006 1:27:29 PM]
- This is a scam Christian [10/10/2006 4:35:04 PM]
- Try Explorica or similar outfit Catherine [10/20/2006 7:34:58 AM]
- parent of 2 time ambassador Michelle [11/21/2006 5:27:09 PM]
- As an alumni of the Program: Garick [12/30/2006 7:13:44 PM]
- PTP is Amazing Seton [12/31/2006 7:53:51 AM]
- Teenage son with juvenile diabetes and people to people Lisa [6/27/2007 6:10:28 PM]
- People to People 1999 Daphne [10/29/2007 2:18:20 PM]
- So Where is the Company's Explanation Slade [11/11/2007 11:34:01 AM]
- so what's the problem Who Knows [12/11/2007 11:53:32 AM]
- Amazing Olivia [1/21/2008 7:35:20 PM]
- My son Died on a People to People Trip Momsy [2/1/2008 12:37:23 PM]
- People To People Student Ambasador Program Shouldn't your delegate leaders know about a death in the program, or do they. Spokane Washington Over Protective Parent [2/12/2008 1:29:49 PM]
- Get you money back. Momsy [2/21/2008 9:44:03 PM]
- Excellent program, solid record John Q [3/10/2008 9:36:35 PM]
- Price Olivia [3/23/2008 4:09:34 PM]
- Some of you are assuming too much. Andrew [3/31/2008 1:34:06 PM]
- People to People Ambassadors is a Scam and they are Liars Momsy [4/4/2008 4:55:26 PM]
- There is one certainty......P2P is a cost-cutting scam operation Bob [5/2/2008 4:29:27 PM]
- The truth, with no messy feelings to cloud it. Katie [8/12/2008 10:17:25 AM]
- Preventable Death constitutes neglect Teresa [8/18/2008 11:17:41 PM]
- 15y.o. Sceptial opinions Morning.rice [9/1/2008 11:27:23 PM]
- Questionable Organization Ellie [9/2/2008 10:49:41 PM]
- THANKS A LOT. Xxhaleywahxx [9/16/2008 12:38:39 PM]
- I attended the parent meeting last week. Ayme [9/21/2008 12:09:45 AM]
- REsponding to Penny's complaint. Kdegru [10/8/2008 6:46:24 AM]
- Don't ruin it for everyone else. 42jfk [11/29/2008 10:32:57 PM]
- Don't be a Negative Nancy Olivia [12/16/2008 6:55:06 PM]
- People to People was a GREAT Experience Candice [12/30/2008 6:28:13 PM]
- What a bunch of spoiled brats, or is it travel agency employees filing rebuttals? Kevin [1/3/2009 3:53:16 PM]
People to People is the best program out there.
Four years ago I went to Yosemite and San Francisco with People to People Student Ambassadors. I think regardless to the money the trip was worth all of it.
I have never had an experience like it. The reason the leaders don’t like you to call your parents is because it makes the situation so much worse to deal with. We also did the game where you leave two minutes after the last person and no one in our whole program got lost.
We also had someone that had a sprained ankle and when we were off hiking there was a leader and at least one other person always there with her. I would recommend anyone to People to People because it was the best time I ever had.
I am actually participating in the overseas program this year to Australia. Maybe your daughter had a bad experience or she might have just got homesick and wanted to come home. I just think you might have overreacted the way you were talking about the program.
One Bad Apple Dosen't Spoil The Whole Bunch
I have been a Delegation Leader with the People to People Program for two years. As a Delegation Leader who has taken middle school students to both Australia and New Zealand, I have to believe that the People to People Program is a WONDERFUL opportunity for America's youth.
This mother was not there to see what actually took place. As a teacher, it is all too often that parents believe 100% of what their teenager is telling them. What is the other side of the story? On the other hand, if the leader did not treat the delegate respectfully, that is not an excuse to condemn an entire organization! As with ANY profession there may be employees who do not do their job properly. But does that make the entire organization 'bad'? Should individuals from foreign countries see ALL Americans as liars and cheaters just because Bill Clinton lied to the American public? Well, if so, that is what the People to People Program is all about. For respectful students to show the rest of the world that America is a wonderful country with interesting and unique people!
Through my travels ALL of my delegates have had POSITIVE LIFE-CHANGING experiences! They've met lifelong friends, learned about other cultures and acceptance, and have become better people because of this AWESOME opportunity!
People to People Advocate
I wanted to respond to the lady that wrote the negative letter about people to people. My daughter is, as I write this, on her third trip with people to people. In sixth grade she went on her first trip with this organization to Hawaii for 2 weeks.
It was a wonderful experience for her. She came back with such self confidence! I found the organization to be extremely trust worthy. The reason they don't want the kids calling home all the time is because it tends to make them more homesick.
They certainly can call at any time. My daughter's second trip was to England, Ireland, and Wales where she also had a wonderful time and made some lifelong friends. I in no way would allow my daughter to travel with a program that I hadn't checked out thoroughly and trusted implicitely.
She is now on a trip to Australia and New Zealand and having a wonderful time. I'm sorry that the lady in question had such a terrible time with the trip but I felt that people should know that it certainly is not the normal occurance. We intend to send our daughter on a trip every year until she graduates from highschool. There is always a risk with everything but I feel confident saying that the People to People organization goes out of their way to ensure a safe trip for every child involved.
People to People Is Awesome!
Last year I went to the Yosemite and Sanfrancisco trip with people to people! I had a great time! This girl must have had other things going on in her life that could have caused this or was not physically fit for the hike. We only hike about 1 mile a day which is not very much for being a 6-hour hiking trip! I normally do about 6-10!
Just because this woman had to go pick up her daughter doesnt mean the leaders did not care for her it meant she was interrupting the group activities or was very home sick. The daughter might have just made up a lot of excuses for her mother to come.
This year I am going to Australia with People to People and I can not wait!
People to People was Wonderful for my child
My son just returned in July from a 16 day trip to New Zealand and Australia. He had a fantastic time and had nothing but positive things to say about the trip, his delegation and his leaders.
They were the best!!! The experiences he had, the things he learned, and the people he met was an opportunity of a lifetime. It was amazing how much a child can mature in 16 days away from home. BTW, my son called me once during the entire time, NOT because he couldn't, he was having too much fun!!!
I would recommend the People to People experience to anyone who is nominated. My daughter received a letter yesterday about the trip to Montana to Yosemite and hopefully she will be on her way in 2003!!!
Four Votes for People to People
The People to People Student Ambassador Program is the best international experience you can provide for your child. My 12 year old son traveled to Australia for 16 days during summer 2002. He returned with a wealth of new experiences, an incredible increase in maturity, a broaded sense of the world and ideas for ways he can make a difference. He has used these experiences to continue his involvement in many other international and cultural issues since returning.
First, you do not send a 12 year old on a trip 17 time zones away without doing research. When my son said he was interested in the trip, I dissected this program from top to bottom.
We met with representatives of the program. We interviewed other parents and kids who had previously traveled with the organization. We obtained an itinerary for the trip and researched the hotels they would stay in, how medical care and security would be provided, the food they would eat, the events they would take part in, and much more.
One of the most important things we did was to attend every meeting. We intentionally arrived early at the regular meetings and also stayed late so we could meet the chaparones personally, not once, but at every meeting over the 9 month preparation period. We volunteered to do a variety of support funtions, also so we would be on a first name basis with the counselors. As with any service, the organization can be top notch, but you are actually obtaining a service from the individuals who work for it.
In my opinion, the person who filed this complaint is more interested in getting her money back than anything else. My guess is that she did not research the program adequately. It is easy to see she did not bother to get to know the counselors either, or she would not have had the problems described above. It is expensive. Our son's trip was $4,000. We ate more than one tasty bean dinner to finance it. We are eating a lot of beans and spaghetti again this fall so he can go to Europe next summer.
By the way, this trip was hard on our son. He was exhausted when he returned. There was a lot of travel, not just to get there, but also after they arrived. There was packed itinerary every day, not to mention the kind of jet lag crossing 17 time zones provides. Sometimes it was physically challenging. But, he was not there to build sand castles on a beach for two weeks. He was there as an Ambassador of the United States. He was there to see a cross section of the culture, government, geography, wildlife and economy of an entire continent. He did all of that and more.
I think you will have to look for a long time to find anyone else who would describe the experience this person did above. I think you have to ask yourself if this parent may have been the negligent party by not getting to know the people who would be responsible for her daughter on this trip, and quite possibly for not knowing her daughter or her capabilities very well either.
Thanks.
Submitted: 12/4/2002 3:29:39 PM
Modified: 12/5/2002 2:36:04 AM
Ethanie and Richard
Marathon, New YorkPeople to People is a Quality Organization
Our son has traveled with People to People Student Ambassadors for the past three years. In 2000 he traveled to England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales; in 2001 he traveled to France, Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Belgium; in 2002 he traveled to Australia. He was 12 on his first trip and just finishing the sixth grade. Our 12 year old daughter traveled in 2002 with her brother to Australia. Our children held many fundraisers and financed their own trips. Babysitting, collecting cans and bottles, dog sitting, refereeing soccer games, mowing lawns, raking lawns...the list of activities go on that provided funds for these life changing trips.
We, as parents, attended each and every meeting with our children, took notes, asked questions, volunteered to help, spoke with the leaders, investigated the organization, leaders, accomodations, home stay families and were actively involved as a family in this experience. The children learned about money, time management, public relations, kindness and understanding of others and other cultures, peer relationships, and so much more. They were required to do research before the experience. At the conclusion of each trip each child did further research and submitted journals and final papers to obtain high school and university credit. At this point our son has 3 college credits and our daughter has one and they have barely begun high school.
In addition to the travel experience, they have each returned with a knowledge and understanding of other cultures that can only be obtained through first hand experience. They have shared these experiences throughout their home community and extended communities and have hopefully done their part in contributing to world peace by carrying through with the mission of People to People Student Ambassadors....Peace Through Understanding.
During each of the trips that our children have been on with People to People , minor incidences of illness or injury have occurred with other members of their delegations and each time the headquarters from Spokane called each and every parent to advise us of the situation and to tell us what actions were being taken. For example, one incident was that another child in the delegation contracted pinworms and as a precaution the entire delegation was treated and follow-up care was provided and PAID FOR by People to People. After the treatment had been administered to each child, Spokane again called each and every parent to advise us of the updated conditions of the delegation. ABOVE AND BEYOND, in our opinion.
Our son and daughter will be travelling agian this summer to Italy and they are once again working all kinds of jobs to finance their trips.
It is unfortunate that a child was injured and the care provided for her was not satisfactory to her parent. We, as parents, tend to be protective of our children. However, in our years of experience with People to People we have had no similar experiences or heard of any similar experiences. This organization has allowed us to provide for our children opportunities that they would not otherwise have had. Please do not judge this fine organization by one leader and one experience. Do your own COMPLETE research, become actively involved in your child's experience, ask questions and if you have a concern, direct it to the proper chain of command within the People To People organization. Thanks People to People for all the fine experiences you provide for young people to celebrate the greatness of the United States of America!! Keep up the Good Work!!!
How Dare You ..I think that this is a completely ridiculous statement.
How dare you try and say that the People to People program is a rip-off. I've been going on these trips for four years now and I don't appreciate you trying to make other people think this program is horrible. I understand that your daughter had a bad experience, and yes, that's horrible, but I've had my bad experiences too. In fact, last year I was in a situation where my delegation hooked up with another delegation and the leaders from the other delegation were horrible. Did I let that spoil my fun?? No, of course I didn't. I would never let that kind of bad experience turn me away from a great experience in general.
Not a lot of children get to do what I've been able to do. I've been to Australia twice, England,Ireland,and Wales, this summer I will be traveling to Greece,Italy,France,and England, and in December I'll be going off to Antarctica. Tell me, if the program is so horrible, how could so many children be interested in it every year, especially children like myself who choose to continue the program all throughout their middle school and high school years. You need to realize that what happened to your daughter rarely happens and you shouldn't be blaming the organization.
What you should have done is called up Spokane and complained about your daughter's leaders. Give this program another chance, I highly doubt you'd be disappointed with sending your daughter again, and if you don't want her going with a delegation from your county, send her with a different one. This program has truly made a big difference in my life, and I know if you give it one more chance, it can change your daughter's life too.
an awesome opportunity to see the world and stay with families
I attended a People to People trip to 6 countries in Europe in 1989. It was an awesome opportunity to see the world and stay with families in foreign countries, sharing cultures. It made me a better adult - no doubt about it. The ability to be able to see that others are different but not better or worse for it is something many people never learn to do.
We were safe and watched over by our teachers.
It is unfortunate that the student in California had a bad time and twisted her knee. However, it isn't the entire program of PEOPLE TO PEOPLE that is to blame.
Submitted: 6/13/2004 12:04:51 AM
Modified: 6/13/2004 8:55:45 PMSamantha
Corpus Christi, TexasU.S.A.
People to People is great
Well I'm sorry your child had such a bad time over there. But just because the particular leader might not have been acting like she should have, that does not make the whole People to People program bad. I am going to Australia for 20 days this year and I leave next Monday. Although it is my 1st time, I know one of the delegation leaders that has done this before prior to getting invited (she was my kindergarten teacher). Of course, being me, I researched the program and I asked some of my friends what they thought about it and how their trip went. The program is awesome!!! Not everybody gets this kind of opportunity. Your child may have been gung ho for it at first but you should have talked to her if she did not seem as confident BEFORE boarding the flight! I think you were negligent to not research this program and find out information about it. She may also have gotten homesick and therefore made excuses for you to pick her up. You were NOT there so you do not know what happened exactly. And if you got second opinions from friends she should have made during her part in the program, you may have gotten the full story instead of chew out the leader for saying she still had to hike. You said she was brave, so why should she be scared to hike on a twisted knee? But the program is great and it is a life-changing experience. It will change the way you think about life in general. It is not a rip-off regardless of the money paid. If you read the cancellation part in the booklet that you were given at the information meeting, you would see how much you would have been refunded if you had cancelled it if you had talked to your daughter and seen if she got any less confident. They do not give refunds if you had traveled in the group so dont ask for one because you will not get anything. I think People to People is awesome and one bad experience does not make the program bad and horrible.
Submitted: 7/25/2004 5:22:11 PM
Modified: 7/25/2004 6:43:05 PM
Brittany S.
Vandalia, IllinoisU.S.A.
You Rude Person, How Could You Say Something About Such A Wonderful, Peace-loving Program!?
I am a past and present student ambassador with P2P, and I owe my last three years to them...I have missed the last two 4th of July's for excellent trips to 6 diff. countries, and saw the wonderful sites from an airplane,, and I am VERY glad I did. The way it sounds...your daughter wasnt mature enough and/or not ready to go off on her own... a trip to a National Park is OBVIOUSLY going to be full of hiking and walking. It DEFINANTLY wasnt the trip for her, but, perhaps, you just don't like the fact that this program has been creating peace images throughout countries since it was founded...or mayb you just need anger management...
Submitted: 8/10/2004 2:40:39 PM
Modified: 8/11/2004 2:25:43 AMDanyelle
Mt. Clemens, MichiganU.S.A.
My Trip To Yosemite,1999
In July of 1999, it was the summmer before my 7th grade year in school, I traveled with People to People Student Ambassadors program to Yosemite National Park and the Headlands Institute in San Fransico. As I'm sure many of you remember that month, during my stay there, Joie Armstrong (an employee of Headlands Institute) was brutally murdered at her cabin in Yosemite. As middle schoolers, this was a very difficult experience for us and our parents being separated by so many miles with a serial murder on the loose. Yet, I do appauld the People to People instructors, for taking us out of the area to a YMCA to stay until the police had apprenhended the killer. Even though it was a little scary, it was one of the best times of my life visiting that area and recommend it to everyone.
My problem with People To People Student Ambassador Program
My son just received an 'invitation' from P2P to travel to Australia for 19 days in 2005.
It would be quite considerate if the invitations included an estimated cost of trip. If the cost is simply out of our reach I'd like to know now rather than attend a meeting with our son and find out then.
If anyone has been on the trip I'd appreciate a ball park figure on costs.
Submitted: 10/5/2004 9:07:41 AM
Modified: 10/5/2004 7:04:27 PMSamantha
Corpus Christi, TexasU.S.A.
Price of People to People Programs
I went to Australia last year and the tuition was $4,875. But you have to buy accessories for the trip, such as luggage and other things, and you have to have at least $500 to use on the trip, using a credit card/cash/travelers cheques. We ended up paying about 6,000 in all. You may pay less, about 5,400 due to the application fee, which isn't included in the tuition and a passport fee is not included.
I was a P2P student ambassador 2004 Exploring Australia trip !
Last year I was a p2p student ambassador to the 2004 Exploring Australia trip and it was AWESOME!!! I can't belive that you would say this about this program. Just because your daughter had a terrible time that doesn't mean that every leader and trip is like the one your daughter was at. My trip was awesome and I had great leaders that cared about your safty. So I would recommend this program to anyone!!
I'm sorry that your daughter had such a terrible time!
What an educational experience
My daughter has beed invited to attend People to People this year in Australia. I am a little nervous but at the same time I can see the excitement in my baby's eyes. Since she was five years old she was slowly learning to be away from us her family. She would spend the night over at friends homes (people we know very well) and go camping with the girl scouts. We did have talks about touch (if you know whar I'm talking about)etc.
People to People will open the doors for our children and the world around us. This will enable our American children to learn about other culture and help them grow into responcible citizen.
I'm sorry to know that your child has had an awful experience, but not everyday we are on a pave road, somedays the road is bumpy. In other words life is a chance. I believed and prayed that my daughter and the other children will be in good hands. I have all the faith in the deligates and leaders. We are on one planet lets make peice with each other.
Thank you!
I received a letter from this organization just today. Due to the original post I will not consider this program.
I am happy that so many of these people report positive experiences.
However I am concerned with the original posting and the responses are not responsive to that post. OBviously people who like to talk about themselves since they cannot respond to the actual post.
Firstly, Ed your comparative was comical. And true.
Secondly, since the early 70's, we have not accepted those small minded, smarmy mouthed idiots who like to play blame the victim. You can be categorized with those who blame a woman for being in the wrong place and deserving to be raped. And you're bad, rotten through and through you people are.
If this child wasn't old enough to go the offer should not have been made. Injuring her knee hardly makes her a villian of any kind. It means she had an accident.
One nasty counselor who has it out for parents doesn't mean the whole program is rotten, but the fact that this parents' obviously rationale and reasonable request to resolve this issue has not been met tells me this is a company to avoid.
And also - interesting note, although there are many different names posted on these replies - many of the spelling errors are the same....curiouser and curiouser.
Have a great day;
Kate in Toledo
Bashing in the name of your personal agenda
Amy - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania- Don't insult this woman's intelligence by implying she over reacted. I'm sure they are glad your experience was positive and productive. Her daughter's experience was neither positive NOR productive. P2P knowingly and purposefully MISLEAD parents and REFUSE to answer questions over the phone. They want to get you in there and tell your children all of the wonderful, exciting things they will experience and then basically DARE the parents to tell their kids that they can't afford to go. However, they DO suggest great ways for your child to beg for money like pan handlers on the street but they call it ?fund raising.? How many parents who work full time jobs do you know who can accompany their kids while they pan handle for molah? Also, quit blaming her child for the crappy way she was treated by saying ?Maybe your daughter had a bad experience or she might have just got homesick and wanted to come home.? There is no excuse for being rude, snide or condescending.
Also, the excuse ?The reason the leaders don't like you to call your parents is because it makes the situation so much worse to deal with.? That is supposed to mean what exactly? Are you trying to tell me that P2P doesn't like sharing information to parents about their child's physical and mental well being? I'd like for you to expand on that statement if you wouldn't mind, please.
Julie - Lima, Ohio- You claim to be a delegation leader that is in charge of other people's children and you have the gall to say, ?This mother was not there to see what actually took place. As a teacher, it is all too often that parents believe 100% of what their teenager is telling them. What is the other side of the story??
Pardon me but as a parent there isn't another side to the story until my child is in MY sight and I KNOW she hasn't been harmed. Here's another tidbit of information for you: All too often parent's ignore their children and blindly believe the adults that are supposed to take care of them. I absolutely do believe my daughter 100% over a stranger any day. It's very dangerous to give your child the impression that you don't believe them. Children are perfect long term victims simply because they're afraid if they tell their parents, they won't be believed. I'm horrified that you're a teacher because the blasé ¡ttitude you have towards children scares the hell out of me.
?Through my travels ALL of my delegates have had POSITIVE LIFE-CHANGING experiences!? Apparently, this woman's child did not have a positive experience; however, I'm afraid it may be a life-changing one indeed.
Anita - Flagstaff, Arizona- You truly sound like a sincere mother and it's wonderful your child has benefited from P2P. Thank you for not attacking her and her daughter.
Lynn - Canandaigua, New York- ?This girl must have had other things going on in her life that could have caused this or was not physically fit for the hike.? If you had read the complaint you would have noticed that she PLAINLY states, ?On the second day my daughter had twisted her knee and when she called that evening she said she was having a good time.? Point me to the written rule where only chubby folk twist their knees. Oh, and exactly why MUST this girl have had other things going on in her life? You've really stumped me on that one?.
?Just because this woman had to go pick up her daughter doesnt (sic) mean the leaders did not care for her it meant she was interrupting the group activities or was very home sick.? How dare she interrupt the group's activities with a twisted knee?
Kimberly - Scarborough, Louisiana- Thank you for being polite and I'm glad your son is having a great experience and I wish him the best.
Joseph - Canal Winchester, Ohio- Insulting the mother and accusing her of not knowing her own child is very self serving, isn't it Joseph? Attacking someone who has a legitimate concern or complaint doesn't the organization you're crusading for look very well at all. Turn your scorn, childish name calling, and unfounded accusations into facts and use your own experience as the meat of your reply. It gives you more credibility.
Ethanie and Richard - Marathon, New York ? I think the editor said it all.
Jessi - Hackensack, New Jersey- ?How Dare You ..I think that this is a completely ridiculous statement.? She's a mother? ?how dare you?? doesn't work on us. ?Not a lot of children get to do what I've been able to do.? Children who has parent's who can afford it can go on these trips until the cows come home.
?Tell me, if the program is so horrible, how could so many children be interested in it every year, especially children like myself who choose to continue the program all throughout their middle school and high school years.? Because you're not paying for it, your parents are.
Angela - Anchorage, Alaska- ?However, it isn't the entire program of PEOPLE TO PEOPLE that is to blame.? Actually, they are responsible for these children. ?Leaders? yanking kids out of lines and telling them to shut up or being hateful to the mother isn't my idea of a very good leader.
Samantha - Corpus Christi, Texas /Brittany S. - Vandalia, Illinois = I'm combining the two of you because I think your personalities compliment each other-
?Not everybody gets this kind of opportunity.? Of course they do. Just visit the web site and nominate someone and ba-dah-bing- you're in.
?You said she was brave, so why should she be scared to hike on a twisted knee?? -
Since when did the pain of a twisted knee equal bravery? Bravery doesn't mean a whole heck of a lot if you can't walk.
Referencing and researching doesn't seem to be your forte either, Samantha otherwise, you would have known that you can't hike on such an injury.
You Rude Person, How Could You Say Something About Such A Wonderful, Peace-loving Program!?? ? Is this supposed to be a joke or do you not understand what an oxymoron is? Clearly, you're confused. ;)
??a trip to a National Park is OBVIOUSLY going to be full of hiking and walking. It DEFINANTLY wasn't(sic) the trip for her, but, perhaps, you just don't like the fact that this program has been creating peace images throughout countries since it was founded...or mayb(sic) you just need anger management...? ? OBVIOUSLY, if they were creating ?peace loving images? to the children they are in charge of THIS thread wouldn't EXISIST! And guess what Brittany? Anger is a natural emotion when a parent believes their child has been neglected. It's called ?mommy senses?- we borrowed the idea from Spider Man and his spidey senses.
Danyelle - Mt. Clemens, Michigan- Thank you for expressing your opinions without slinging mud. Much appreciated.
Kate in Toledo- ?One nasty counselor who has it out for parents doesn't mean the whole program is rotten, but the fact that this parents' obviously rationale and reasonable request to resolve this issue has not been met tells me this is a company to avoid.
And also - interesting note, although there are many different names posted on these replies - many of the spelling errors are the same....curiouser and curiouser.? Yep.
People to People: pros and cons
My daughter went on a P2P trip when she was 16. I offer the following input for anyone considering this program. You have to read to the end for the 'pros':
1. It costs a lot of money -- $4000 and up for 3 weeks. Is it really worth it? The so-called fund-raising ideas are ways to put the lean on your friends and family. We were not comfortable doing this. The company will not tell you the cost unless you attend the meeting, which is a big cheerleading event designed to make the program appear to be selective and special.
2. The promotional materials make it sound as if your child is selected because of their outstanding qualities, but they never tell you how they were nominated. I suspect that as long as you have the money and your kid isn't a young criminal, they'll accept him/her.
3. The employees keep talking about it being a 'life changing experience.' Not in our experience. Are you different for having taken a 3-week vacation? My daughter enjoyed the trip but came back the same person. Don't believe the hype. She was unimpressed with the home stays. One couple was obviously burned out from having kids there all summer, she said.
4. It wasn't a bad program, and my daughter does reference it on resumes and college applications. They do focus on education -- learning about the country they visit, its economics, government, culture and so forth.
5. If you child is mature enough to be away from home for 3 weeks (or whatever the program you choose), I think the program is fine. You have to know your own child and what his/her reaction is likely to be. I would not send a middle schooler, however, under any circumstances. Too young -- too far away.
6. The organizers do include a detailed itinerary. I was able to leave messages for her at her hotels and she was able to email home.
Submitted: 7/27/2006 10:58:47 PM
Modified: 7/27/2006 10:58:47 PMStephanie
Brookville, PennsylvaniaU.S.A.
You're dead wrong!
I just got back from a People To People trip and no one got hurt or injured, all of the delegation leaders were extremely nice to everyone. I am a 13 year old and I had no problem. I was in Australia for 3 weeks. I talked to my mother all the time and the leaders had no problem with it at all. I went all over Australia and had 42 other kids my age and younger with me. We had kids that were 11 years old on that trip and nothing went wrong at all.
I think that just because your delegation leaders were rude and at time mean to the children it is extremely dispicable to let your persception of them reflect on the entire organization. You shouldn't judge on just one opinion of yours.
I like the People To People Organization. You may have your opinions but I have mine too. And that is my opinion. I am sorry if I have offended you in any way what-so-over
Thank you!!!
Stephanie
Another incident of bad P2P program
My son went on a People to People trip the summer of 2004. Although he himself didn't suffer too many of the things his co-travelers did, some of the incidents reported from the trip were pretty bad. The parents of our delegation of students sent the People to People organization a nine-page letter outlining the specific issues, with suggestions. We received little response from the organization. The little response from the organization challenged the accuracy of our information. I wonder how many people would have sent their children (and money) on this trip had they known that 'accommodations' included sleeping on the floor of a hotel room (because there weren't enough beds in the room). Or, that leaders on the trip refused to accompany a child back to their last stop (within 15 mins) to retrieve a missing digital camera, even though their tour bus passed by the site again minutes later.
I am only writing this now because our daughter has just now received an 'invitation' to go to Australia next summer. I would have to think really hard about even considering it. I know that People to People could not have lasted 50 years with trips like the one my son was on, but it's in the interest of full disclosure that people know the full story.
I fully agree with another poster that the trips are billed as 'special' and 'by invitation only'. Well, many, many children I know get these letters every year, and not a single person knows who has 'nominated' them. In fact, my daughter 'nominated' herself, just to get a letter sent to her! The trips are pretty expensive, and yes, the informational meeting is a 'rah-rah' session.
Our group had duly met monthly with our specific leader, but she had a 'Jekyll and Hyde' transformation on the trip - she was very sweet when she met the parents, but she was much different when it was just the kids!
In whole, I think the programs are probably pretty decent, but a bad batch of leaders can really ruin a trip. I think that most leaders are probably very caring and very good, but you will find ones like on my son's trip who were pretty much just there to have a free vacation, and didn't want to be bothered with the kids. My son appreciated the opportunity to go, but said later that had we taken it as a family trip, he would've had a better cultural experience overall.
Looking back on the whole incident, I think I was most annoyed by the lack of response from the People to People organization to our letter. It was unprofessional of them to dismiss our letter without fully investigating our issues, and responding to our suggestions for improvement.
Submitted: 8/19/2006 12:28:39 PM
Modified: 8/19/2006 12:28:39 PMFrancisco
San Antonio, TexasU.S.A.
Real Programs don't just Start with a Letter
Well, I am a 15 year old 10th grader attending Rossevelt High School, enrolled in the Design and Technology Academy. When I recieved this letter, i was happy and thought that this trip would be a good experience. The letter invited me to the 2007 England and Wales trip. It also said that this was apart of the same company that distributed the PSAT test scores and I thought that I had gotten in by that since I got relatively high scores. But I knew three other people who had gotten even better scores than me and they had not even heard of this. Nontheless, I thought by their official looking site and letter, they were legit. But after reading these many statements, I feel that I will not be going to the informational meeting.
The problem with sites are you never know who is making the comment. All these comments made about how good P2P is could have been made by the same person. Who would know? So it is agreeable that the only trustworthy people who make comments are those who are actually bashing P2P since no one would bash their own company. And I feel that you should get a refund since your daughter did not stay the whole trip. I feel that Eisenhower had a good idea when making this program, but it is a company nonetheless and it wants to make money. Also, your case about your daughter is not quite strong enough. Perhaps if you had eyewitness such as other students who were present when the leader was rude and perhaps if some other students from the trip also testified that the leader was apathetic and a jerk then this would be stronger. But with just the word of a mother and daughter, I'm afraid that big business will win.
Terrible propaganda Kami - Owensboro, Kentucky
Kami -
You responded well to each and every negative response to the original post. However We missed your personal experience in this matter.
In 1988 my older brother raised funds and went on the people to people trip to Australia, New Zealand and the Figi Islands. They had to evacuate the Figi Islands because of civil unrest that was occuring then. Life happens. He loved every minute of the trip.
The young lady in the original post may have had a terrible experience, may have been homesick, or something else personal may have occured. The counsler may have been a real jerk or may have been realalistic.
My neighbor across the street is a foreign PTP home provider and had both of their boys in the program. They all speak highly of their experience and look foward to helping other foreign students enjoy their trips to the U.S. in the future.
In any case I will be sending my own daughter this coming summer to Ireland and the UK. Your rebuttal really had no meaning to this discussion.
I don't want to take away from the fact that the young lady had a terrible time. We simply don't know the details and perhaps even her mother doesn't either. I certainly can't say what occured on the trip. However I can speak for the wealth of positive input I have recieved from kids who participated and from their parents.
My daughter is invited to leave the country at a time of war...no thanks!
After reading the information provided I have a solution to problems in the future.
Do not send a minor child out of this country or even the state you live in with a group that, and I quote from their website, 'choose teacher leaders in much the same way we select Student Ambassadors: through applications, recommendations and interviews.'
What type of background check is done? If any? Nobody seems to know how their child was selected any 'myspace stalker' could enroll their prey. Their honored parents decide to sent the innocent, excited child. Meanwhile, 'myspace stalker' enrolls him/herself to be a teacher leader...far fetched, yes, but I seem more far fetched in my own backyard.
The best flag this is a 'ripoff' is the $2500 to sent a 12 year old to Yosemite National Park!! The whole family could have gone for that price. My daughter is invited to go out of this country. Sounds exciting but an estimate of $6000 is ludicrous!
I have never researched travel abroad, but I googled 'average cost travel United States to London, England' and got $1,229 including airfare, hotel and guide. Double that and there is still more than half of the estimated $6000 left over. I am sure my girl would love to shop in Paris, France with her Mom while exploring the culture of the European Country.
If the P2P program has run for over 50 years it is a wonder this Mom is the only one to question the safety of children traveling with strangers and the amount of money to do it. Even if 'education' based 'tuition' is involved, the best way to teach your child is for YOU to Teach Your Child!! Be smart, be safe, protect your child!
To the great Mom who posted the original complaint, 5 years have passed since your warning to parents about your lovely daughter's experience and I want you to know it raised a lot of questions that I was blinded to due to honor of my daughter 'being invited', or selected, however you look at it, is isn't cheap.
It's a RIPOFF! My mother would tell me, 'Honey, if it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck and looks like a duck, then it's a duck.'
People to People Attitudes
My daughter received an invitation to join the 2007 trip. I came across this website while researching and have decided not to send her. What stands out to me the most is the attitude of the people (especially the children) responding. I cannot see allowing my daughter on a trip with others who respond with so much anger to someone's complaint about a company. The true circumstances of the trip, whatever they are, to me do not warrant the anger coming through the responses of those defending P2P nor their (what I believe to be) attacks on the woman or her daughter. We teach our daughter to treat others with respect, especially her elders and to not judge something she has not been involved in. If this is the attitude these children have learned, then I know I don't want my daughter attending.
Questions
The people to people ambassador program I believe is a wonderful opprotunity for any child to attend. But with all the info that has been sent, can ANYONE tell me the final cost that it is for a child to go to New Zealand and Australia? I have been reading up on all the comments and would still love to send my daughter, but I would like some in-put from others that have went.
Thank you for your time.
Melissa
Submitted: 10/10/2006 4:35:04 PM
Modified: 10/10/2006 4:35:04 PMChristian
Amdover, ConnecticutU.S.A.
This is a scam
This program obviously counts on the pride on students that are told that they have been selected to particpate in these expensive trips. This is just a front. My daughter has been selected and while she was obviously proud of the selection and interested in going to Australia, we wondered who could have recommended her. Well, we wonder no more after our cat was also invited to go on a trip. This organization must have bought some mailing list somewhere and makes people believe they have been individually selected. Much like some SPAM we all get daily in our email. And after a little research, we also noticed that this is a for profit business quoted on NASDAQ.
Try Explorica or similar outfit
My son also received this 'invitation only' letter to go to the informational meeting hours away from our home. We went. The cost was through the roof. Also, I attended several Amway conventions in the 1980's and this hig intensity rah-rah manic program they put on was very similar to that, made me very uncomfortable.
Years later, my daugther wanted to go with her school on a trip put on by Explorica. She went. We loved it and you can go to that site and check out all the summer trips they offer kids - this year's is to South Africa! And the cost is less than P2P. I highly encourage parents to check out other options. I have also received letters for all three of my kids telling me they were 'selected' to be in the 'who's who in high school' book - another rip-off.
These companies write these letters in such a way to make the kids feel special, when in fact, they send them to everyone! Beware do your research!
Submitted: 11/21/2006 5:27:09 PM
Modified: 11/21/2006 7:42:34 PMMichelle
Newbury Park, CaliforniaU.S.A.
parent of 2 time ambassador
My daughter has traveled twice with People to People and I can tell you that she was initially nominated by a teacher! As a teacher I have nominated serveral students each year and as an alumni abassador my daughter nominates students as well!!! Yes, they do use a national registry for the majority of the names, but that means that your childs name is out there somewhere.
As to the fees, if you were to look at the behind the scenes tours and people they meet you would find that you could not do the trip at all let alone for that price! They do include all meals, lodging, tours and transfers etc. for their fee not to mention the care they take of the children. People tend to forget the visas that can sometimes be involved too. And as to the people saying they are working class, P2P doesn't help, or that the money can not be raised I have news for you. We are lower middle class- we worked hard to come up with the money the first time and told my daughter she could only travel again if she raised the money herself!
Well, she raised all but $537.50 and she was able to get a NO INTEREST loan from P2P for the 500 and I gave her the 37.50. So let me tell you, it can be done. Her leaders helped with ideas and support and her trip meant even more knowing she had done it with the support of the community! This is a WONDERFUL program that my daughter has been lucky to participate in!
As an alumni of the Program:
I am 21 currently and went on a People to People trip to the American Southwest when I was in 6th grade or about 12 years old.
First off I will say that the trip was a great experience and definitely fun. I will not claim that it changed my personality or made me a more confident person and all that jazz but it was a great time along with a group of students that I had never met before. I think that can speak for itself.
My trip was two weeks long. It can be tough for a 12 year old to spend this amount of time away from home. There were a few kids that were homesick and everybody was taken care of very well by the trip leaders. If there were some circumstances where a kid did not want to or could not participate in an activity they were still taken care of. A leader would stay behind.
My trip leaders were amazing people. Even the bus driver and hired tour guide were great. This can vary trip to trip but I would think that to end up with somebody not doing the best job would be very rare.
If you choose to send a child on a trip I would not question the organization at all.
Now where they do come into question is the selection process. These issues are well-documented online and even at 12 years old I could figure out that I was likely not handpicked based on merit or recommendations for this opportunity.
Do not send a child on this trip with the reasoning behind the decision being that this is a unique and special opportunity that your child has been specially selected for. Everything is very official sounding to give you this illusion but don't believe it. I even received a letter (I believe it was legit) from the British Parliament congratulating me on my selection.
So in summary I will say that these trips are great experiences but don't let the illusion that your child has been specially picked positively influence your decision.
PTP is Amazing
I have traveled with People to People on a few different occasions, to various places around the world. I am 14 years old and have experienced trips with People to People Ambassadors and People to People International, in addition to being the president and founder of my local People to People International Student Chapter.
Frankly, I highly disagree with the first person to post. I understand that your situation was a terrible one, and I can see how you would be upset. People to People is an organization that was created to promote 'Peace through Understanding', not to cause problems. Suing People to People could send them into ruin, destroying life-changing opportunities for over 80,000 student leaders every year.
People to People has changed my life completely, and I'm thankful for it everyday. People to People opens the door to so many opportunities, and gives you the chance to experience different cultures around the world.
Throughout all of my trips with People to People, I have not met one person that doesn't like PTP. Not everyone will like People to People, but that number is a very small one. Following that terrible depiction of People to People, I was ecstatic to see so many supporters of People to People. This post is angering to people who support this amazing organization.
Teenage son with juvenile diabetes and people to people
My 16 year old son with juvenile diabetes went to Australia summer of 2006.
He had a blast and arrived home safe and in one piece. I too researched as much as I could, attended all the meetings. We were very nervous to send our son although he is able to self-manage his disease, you just never know.
I am planning to send my daughter (also with juvenile diabetes) on the next European People to People trip.
Lisa B, R.N.
Submitted: 10/29/2007 2:18:20 PM
Modified: 10/29/2007 7:50:04 PMDaphne
Albuquerque, New MexicoU.S.A.
People to People 1999
I would just like to say that I attended the summer trip with P2P from New York to the South Pacific in 1999. We spent 21 days there and the trip was under $3000 including airfare, hotels, etc. It was an amazing value and not to mention an amazing experience. I was twelve years old and the youngest of my group, with 40 students and 3 delegation leaders. All of the leaders were extremely supportive. The schedule was rigorous and it was understood before the trip that if an individual was not to attend a particular event that they would not necessarily be chaperoned at that point, as they only had 3 leaders to 40 students.
Considering the age group this was perfectly acceptable. In most cases anyone who was not feeling well or could not attend was able to rest at the hotel for the day. In one case (because we were in between hotels) we had to check in early and change the schedule a bit for a girl who was not feeling well. The only major incident we had was on a whale watching expedition. A boy was jumping down the stairs and we hit a wave. He fell and broke his ankle. One of the leaders stayed with him in the hospital while his parents flew from NY to Brisbane.
We had a few upset students who had never been away from home before, which is why they try to select kids who have traveled before. I want to say that it sounds like this case is an example of a delegation leader who was having a particularly bad day, but considering that there are other leaders who she may have dealt with, that doesn't seem to be the case. I have a hard time understanding why the child was upset in the first place.
All I am reading are two things, one being that she got lost and the other that the leaders were rude to her. I would assume that the rudeness would be over exaggerated a bit when it is coming from a child who is trying to get a parent to fly across the country. And as far as her getting lost, they are very adamant about wearing the p2p shirts when traveling etc, as there are so many children and only a few leaders.
They select responsible candidates in part because it is the child's responsibility to pay attention and keep up with the group. If they are lost, which is bound to happen at some point with at least one child, the delegation leaders immediately spring to action as I have witnessed before. Once they are found we would have a count off to make sure everyone was there, as we would also do at numerous times throughout the trip.
As far as solo hikes, I am not sure what that entails.. I would suggest getting details from another student who took part in the trip to avoid bias. But if it was an unsafe program they wouldn't have it. Understand that there are liabilities that they are well aware of and they would not take any unnecessary risks. It was probably some type of team-building learning experience that was not followed as it had been planned out.
For example, if you are supposed to cross your arms, close your eyes and fall to trust a teammate to catch you, it is possible that they do not catch you, in which case you could fall and scratch your knee. It happens. But all in all I have experienced the amazing things that this program has to offer and I know many others who have as well. I think this is all an over-exaggeration and would not encourage anyone to miss this opportunity of a lifetime!
So Where is the Company's Explanation
The easiest way for the company to ally the fears of all the parents (like me) who are considering them would be to let us know what was done in this situation. I won't allow my son to participate in a program where the possibility of bad judgment endangering him exists.
Mistakes happen, but action need to be taken to correct them and it would seem we all need to know what they were.
Submitted: 12/11/2007 11:53:32 AM
Modified: 12/11/2007 2:04:58 PMWho Knows
Rancho Cucamonga, CaliforniaU.S.A.
so what's the problem
For those who have complained about this opportunity, is your concern that your child isn't 'special' or is it the financial aspect of it? All things considered, this can be an amazing experience for young people who would otherwise not be able to partake on these excursions. Yes their marketing tactics might be questionable, but in the end, all who receive the letter and raise the funds are welcome to go. It might hurt your child's pride a little bit to discover that they weren't 'specially selected or nominated' to go on these trips but does that make this experience to travel abroad any less valuable? And I've spent a significant time overseas and visited several countries. I beg anyone to find a 21-day ALL INCLUSIVE trip for much less.
Submitted: 1/21/2008 7:35:20 PM
Modified: 1/21/2008 10:01:27 PMOlivia
Allentown, PennsylvaniaU.S.A.
Amazing
I have posted another topic about p2p on another report so I will not the the whole thing over again!!
IT IS NOT A SCAM! To the lady with the cat it is a problem with the mailing list!
I have attened my first orientation meeting yesterday and I am in love with the program. p2p offers way more opportunities than any other average trip. My school trip to Spain cost 3,000 dollars for 1 week. It is basically a average trip! My people to people trip is 6,000 and 3 weeks with opportunities only p2p has to offer! I am going to England and France this summer and I get to stay overnight at Warwick castle which only People to People gets to do!!
There is a reason why they don't tell you about the money in the letter or online. They want you to know that there are ways to raise money with loans and fundraising such as bake sales!!
My son Died on a People to People Trip
I have also filed a report with Rip Off and a lawsuit against this company, but to this thread, this mother is 'Dead Right' not wrong. I wish that she would have filed a lawsuit. Perhaps it would have protected other children
Our reality is similar, our son was neglected in a hotel room after he asked to go to the hospital. He vomited blood during the night, all leaders were in his room the next morning, no one phoned us, no one took him to the hospital, their '24 hour response center' did not contact us nor did they 'obtain immediate and appropriate medical attention when severely ill' as promised on their website. Moreover, they blamed our role model son for his death telling the kids in Minneapolis that Ty died because he did not take his insulin. This organization is a for profit, it was never founded by Eisenhower see N Y Times, June 10 1958 People to People Dissolves. Or consumeraffairs.com Write your attorney general. Complain!!