People To People Student Ambassador Programs Solicating your children for profit Spokane Washington

Our son signed up with P2P in a Scottsdale group (that curiously meets in Glendale - 40 miles away from Scottsdale and Chandler) but was so put off by poor communication and lack of organization from the local teachers that he decided to withdraw.

P2P claims that they will keep $500 of his hard earned money, so we're filing a complaint with the Arizona Attorney General.

Bottom line is that this is a $31.1M profit train for Ambassadors Group and the teachers receive free or low cost travel subsidized by the students.

Our son has spent plenty of time in 19 countries and is quite capable of traveling internationally on his own, so he's going to Ireland, Wales, England, Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg, France and Switzerland on his own next June and July at age 16. He'll be flying Business Class and staying with friends; with a lot of pocket money for a heck of a lot less than $5,600 that the Ambassadors Group charges!

Yes P2P is expensive, yes they probably got my son's name from a list of folks who might afford travel to Europe. I read all the complaints, attended all the pre sign up meetings, inquired with other parents who traveled with the 5th grade teacher in our area (the teacher is key!). My son traveled from Phoenix to Paris, to Italy by train, down Italy to Pompei, across to Greece and then home from Athens... 21 days. It was a trip of a life time! Every dollar of the approx $6K was worth it!

There were about 12 four hour weekend meetings before they went where they studied the cultures, geography, foods, international travel and safety and got to know each other well. Four teachers went with the group of approx 35 students. Each teacher was responsible for a group of less than 10. The kids were as young as 10 and old as 14. Parents maintained an email list at home so each time we heard from some of the kids (which was not frequent by design so kids didn't get home sick)... we shared everything that was going on. Teachers had time to send a few pics too.

I can't say enough good words about this experience for my son. When he went, he was somewhat shy even tho he was one of the 14 year olds. By the time he reached Athens... he was thinking about missing the plane so he could stay in Greece and experience more of the cultures he had just had a taste of. He grew up so much, used communication skills with the other kids he never knew he had and upon return... the teachers told us he had assumed a leadership role with the group. He learned so much about other cultures and how different they are from the hectic pace in the US.

Oh... and one last thing... the selection process that the kids went thru... there is something to that. You have to get three written recommendations from teachers and I know of kids that were rejected because in the interview, they couldn't demonstrate good enough communication skills that the teachers felt they would be able to safely participate. One kid was rejected three years and finally got in with the P2P group as a freshman in high school.

Until more families stand up and speak out this company will continue to deceive.

Many children have either been molested, killed, injured, or sick. PTP does not have a solid safety record and you are entitled to your money back.

SEE (((link redacted)))

CLICK here to see why Rip-off Report, as a matter of policy, deleted either a phone number, link or e-mail address from this Report.

Until more families stand up and speak out this company will continue to deceive.

Many children have either been molested, killed, injured, or sick. PTP does not have a solid safety record and you are entitled to your money back.

SEE (((link redacted)))

CLICK here to see why Rip-off Report, as a matter of policy, deleted either a phone number, link or e-mail address from this Report.

Until more families stand up and speak out this company will continue to deceive.

Many children have either been molested, killed, injured, or sick. PTP does not have a solid safety record and you are entitled to your money back.

SEE (((link redacted)))

CLICK here to see why Rip-off Report, as a matter of policy, deleted either a phone number, link or e-mail address from this Report.