Consumer compliments about People to People

Quite frankly, you all sound like a bunch of bitter sour pusses that couldn't afford the trip so decided to make up lies to slander this organization.

I am proud to say I am a student ambassador class of 2005 and I had the ultimate time of my life in Australia. I keep hearing some of you all say it was a scam but I know about 150 delegates would beg to differ. Last I checked, to fly across the world, stay in four-star resorts and transportation along the coast of Australia was not a measly six bucks. If you want the opportunity of a lifetime, you have to go above and beyond to make it happen.

Yes, we had issues here and there but when you take 40 kids from all different backgrounds of life and put them on a plane for 13 hours and on a bus for up to six hours a day, moods usually tend to swing a bit but nothing that couldn't be properly handled. I thank God for my experience and no, it was not like on Monday I met a group of strangers and by Thursday I was packing my bag to go across the world. It was a long process of about six-eight months and each month we were required to meet with out future travel buddies and do exercises to get to know them as well as the leaders.

I have built lifelong friends from this experience, people I still keep in touch with to this day. I'm still trying to fathom where the "scam" came into play. We paid for a trip, we went on the trip, and we came home from the trip. Nobody was missing their liver or kidney or anything crazy like in the movies. We went and had a amazing time.

Now granted there were instances where we did kinda "touristy" things but for the most part, everything was educational. We got to sit in on a town counsel meeting (pretty exclusive to me shrug), we met with councilmen who told us the history of his township. We went to a ranch and were taken on a backpacking trip through the mountains behind the ranch. We went to a little camp were we did team and character building exercise. We even got to walk to the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge (real exclusive), which ironically was on the 4th of July. We even sang the star spangled banner.

I say all these to say my mother and father both are military veterans, they know a scam a mile away. This by far was nothing close to a scam. Now I am sorry if some of you who actually did go or send your kids on the trip had a bad experience. There are bugs in every system and program but to slander the whole program is neglectful and uncalled for. I take pride and knowing I was selected cause even if you're not so-called nominated (like an honor), you still must go through an interview process and a referral process before you are selected. And no, everybody is not selected.

No matter what anyone says, I will always be an avid supporter of P2P and if the org is around when I have children, you can bet your bottom dollar I will do what I can to send them. It's a life-changing program--when experienced with the right people. I saw wonder of this world I never thought possible (went swimming in the great barrier reef, disappointed to say it looks nothing like finding Nemo).

I'm done with my rant so I'll end with this final statement. When a low life with nothing better to do goes on, Wikipedia and post outright lies with no source to back it up, we accept it as information on the Internet. It could be real, it could be fake. But you leave it as that. This commenting site is no different. Some of these experiences could be plausible (even if I don't think they are wholly true) and some could be not but go to the meetings, listen for yourself the testimonies other kids (delegates), leaders, and parents say about the trip. Every new orientation meeting they have they invite the former delegates of the last summer's trip to the meeting to testify to their experience. Trust me, if it were a scam or had nothing but negative reviews, I'm sure they would nix that part of orientation. You can fake the funk on screen by hiring actors but kids on the spotlight, not so much.

This is not a complaint, but a comment. I have read many complaints about this program and yes, it is expensive and you could probably travel cheaper but the experience your child encounters with other children their age is priceless. My daughter speaks to her delegation often and received numerous scholarships from local organizations because of her presentations to their clubs. The first letter that comes is addressed to the parents and our letter did not state who nominated or may have nominated a child.

It is a for-profit organization; I don't see a non-profit organizing all these trips. No harm came to anyone in my daughter's delegation and nothing wonky went on. They were well-chaperoned and learned a lot while they were traveling.

If you can't afford it, don't do it. Don't write complaints on here about how it is an evil organization out to ruin children's lives. My daughter raised the money for her trip through fundraisers. She also earned high school and college credit from this so-called evil money scam. She enjoyed her experience so much she would like to travel to England again and possibly do a semester abroad.

So, if you don't want your child to go, just tell them that you can't afford it. You would worry too much with them being so far away and don't complain about something that you haven't experienced. It is totally absurd.

Honestly, I have no idea what happened to this organization. Obviously, I believe you when you say the terrible things that happened to your children, but my experience was nothing like that.

We learned more about European history from that trip than a text book could ever teach. We visited castles, saw a show in London, visited Hadrian's Wall, and had all manner of amazing memories built for us, courtesy of People to People and the wonderful teacher chaperones we had.

Maybe that's the difference. Our chaperones cared about us and made sure we were safe. One girl had a minor asthma attack while playing on the playground (she had forgotten her inhaler at the hotel and rather than decide not to play or tell an adult, she chose to be foolish and tax her body) and I've never seen adults jump to the aid of a child who wasn't theirs faster or with more love and care. Another kid had his inhaler and it was identical to the one the girl used, so it was quickly brought in for a backup, and everything was fine.

Still, they called her parents and had her talk to them, explained what happened, and everything was fine after her parents asked the chaperones to do a daily inhaler check for the girl. They did so without complaint, and no further incidents happened. If anything, the parents thought the chaperones over-reacted to it.

I went on a People to People trip this past summer to Australia. Now, if you want to tell me that it was a scam of fraud, i will personally e-mail you. The trip was amazing and changed my life for good! The People to People organization, even if it may be expensive, is the best thing a kid could wish for. No one got hurt, killed, or lost. This was an amazing experience, and I have gone to many sites, asking why people think that just because of one small thing, you have to mess it up for everyone. Why is that?

I am not writing to complain, but rather compliment People to People Student Ambassador Programs. I have sent my daughter with their programs when she was 10 years old. Yes it is a little expensive, but the price covers all travel, rooming, food and activities. There are so many different opportunities offered to these students that a family could not duplicate for the same price. Fundraising is encouraged even for those that can afford it as a character building component to let the students help earn their trip. Yes, every company in the world will have a couple of people that are not the best and yes, accidents happen daily around the world, but People to People does its very best to keep their delegates safe and engaged in the program at all times. Unfortunately we only get to hear from the few disgruntled customers on this website instead of the hundreds of thousands of overjoyed customers that are so pleased with the program that they send more than just one of their children. Please take every complaint you read about anything with a grain of salt and find local families to ask personally about their own experiences.

i traveled the year 2007 and NEVER heard of this death everyone talks about. The leaders NEVER drank liquor! they ALWAYS had us in eye site. everywhere we went we had a count up. either it was geting on/off the coach. going to the hotel. leaving places. before we moved on some where else. and ect. This is a GREAT program and i HIGHLY recemend that anyone who has the chance to go should go! Your child will grow with great excpetance and come back more respectful than ever. Some kids do have a mind of their own and wander off, but then again that will be their fault and they KNOW what to do if lost. we have meetings before each trip to learn everything we can before we depart out of the country. some kids dont make it past the interview and DO NOT get accepted for being eeither not mature enough yet or they just dont think you will take this seriously. Trust me. it was totally worth it! and im traveling again this coming summer in 2010 =]

The supervision was effective, we had nightly checks and were told meeting spots if we were allowed to wander around, but not far and it had to be in groups.

I think the experience will differ, it all depends on who is responsible for the children. If the people who are the leaders are not responsible, it is their fault, but my experience was not in any way a negative one.

Our 14 year old daughter is a dedicated club swimmer. She swims 6 days a week for 2 1/2 hours a day. She is a member of USA Swimming and it is through that organization that she was contacted to participate in the People to People Sports Ambassador program. The program is expensive... > $6,000, so if you can not afford that or you can not raise that from your community, do not apply. However, our daughter is highly motivated and raised part of the money and we (her parents) paid for the rest. She is now in Vienna, Austria and says she is having the time of her life. She is thrilled to be training with Lenny Krayzelberg, a former Olympic swimming medalist, to be meeting swimmers from all over the world and to be touring in an historic city. We had nothing but professional and courteous interactions with the People to People staff in person, by telephone and email. In short, if you come to this website to get complaints, you will find them. I just wanted to let you know there are happy customers too.

I can't believe you parents who say you care about your kids but are to overprotective to let them do anything that can help them later in life. People 2 People is a great program my son went for 3 years to Hawaii, Europe, and China yes it was pricey but what isn't. Don't give me this oh they are a scam my son is now well aware of the world and the cultures around it. You parents are just jealous that you didn't get to go your self!

I am a student and all of the experiences my parents and I have had with People to People Student Ambassador Programs are all positive ones. Whether chosen by academic achievement or a mailing list this program provides a great opportunity to experience the world. This program is definitely a great program even if it has its glitches. Doesn't every program designated for special trips like this have glitches? Nothing is perfect and parents need to realize that. This is an opinion from an actual student who has had the HONOR of going on the Treasures of Japan Student Ambassador trip.

This program has not caused ANY problems WHATSOEVER to my family or me as an individual.

My daughter went on a student ambassador trip with People to People in the summer of 2005. It was an incredibly great experience for her. She met other students who she is still friendly with, got to stay with a host family in France, see a play in London's West End Theatre District, visit Monaco, see the Mona Lisa at the Louvres on a special private tour just for their group, see Cannes. . . it was an amazing trip. I'm sorry to hear that people have had bad experiences. My daughter was required to attend meetings at least monthly for a year before her trip, learn about the countries they were to visit, and turn in written individual and group assignments. She was also able to earn high school credit for her experience. I hope that the unfortunate incidences noted are isolated events.

We had the absolute best experience with People to People. My son was nominated by his teacher, they requested 3 references. There was no interview. He needed to complete 3 homework assignments before he left. We had to make our our flight arrangements and we did it far enough in advance that we got a great rate. All my phone =/or email inquiries were IMMEDIATELY answered.

We escorted our son to Washinton, D.C. because I was concerned for the safety of my 11 y.o. traveling as an unaccompanied minor. A flight attendent that I know personally and a ticketing agent also stated that PTP had an excellent reputation picking up and dropping off unaccompanied minors.

When we arrived at the Hyatt in a very safe area outside D.C. we were more than satisfied by the professional teachers that were leading this program. They adhered to a very tight schedule.

My son had a wonderful, educational experience. Many of the things they did were touristy, but, how many get to dine at the Saudi Arabian Embassy and don the native attire or listen to a secret serviceman, a Cia agent, a congressman etc..He had no complaints whatsoever. We also rec'd a dvd with over 800 pitures on it sent home with my son.

It was the most organized trip you can imagine. A PLP rep. returned my son to his departing gate for the trip home. We were 110% satisfied and are very likely to do more with PTP. My only dissappointment is now seeing these complaints and bringing to light their marketing tactics. I don't have a problem with them using mailing lists that only include high academic students that weren't personally nominated. I would only take issue is if they did invite anyone regardless of merit.

Overall, we had an excellent experience in D.C. I didn't see very many complaints from students/parents that did attend a trip...mostly only those who felt deceived by the invitation. If those students were obtained from a list of academic achievers...how does that dissappoint you? I do wish they would tighten up their invitation process...so indeed it is an honor not just an experience.

Ok...My daughter is currently on the mediterranean discovery trip with People to People Student Ambassadors and she called me about 10 minutes ago from Rome. She is having the time of her life and seeing things that we could not have afforded to show her as a family! Everything about People to People has been fabulous! The expense is not outrageous in fact, when one looks at the itineraries and visits the websites of the hotels that these kids are getting to stay at and experience...it is a bargain.

The monthly meetings and information were thorough and interesting. We fundraised 90% of her trip and had fun doing so. This is a priceless experience and for all of you people belly aching about the letter and the expense...get a life. People to People is an awesome organization offering our children incredible educational experiences! Who cares how they got nominated. The point is it is one heck of a bargain for an education that will last a LIFETIME!

Ok, first of all I am a Student Ambassador myself and have traveled three times in the past, about to travel for my fourth time this summer. No, my family does not have in excess of twenty grand lying around. We saved up, fundraised, and my extended family helped sponsor me. These trips change your perspective about the world. They broadened my horizons and helped me learn to see the world through other's eyes. These trips have helped make me a better person while learning about different cultures around the world.

I also can't speak for anyone else, but I happen to know who recommended me to the program: my fifth grade teacher. When I was first invited to participate in this phenomanal program, I wondered too but didn't put too much thought into it because both I and my parents knew I was worthy of this distinction. I only happened to find out because I happened to ask that same teacher to fill out one those three further recommendation forms, which is when she told me she had nominated me.

Also, about the additional costs which come added to the base tuition fee: they talk about all that in the initial informaiton meeting if you had been listening. I've been to five of those meeting- I didn't travel last year because of the financial burden we just couldn't swing that year- and at every single one they explained that due to the differences in the airfair according to where you live, they add that on afterwards to minimize the cost for YOU, the ambassador and your family. Otherwise they would have to make a flat rate, raising those which would otherwise be lower and lowering those which would have otherwise cost a bit more depending on exactly where you're departing from and where exactly you're trying to reach.

And yes, People to People offers various insurance plans, which do cost money, as most insurance plans of any type do. They are offered for YOUR benifit, your peace of mind, and your child's security.

People to People, all around is an amazing program. I've met people from Canada, England, France, and Australia many of which I still stay in touch with even today. This summer I am going to Italy, France, Monaco, and Malta and am sure to have another three weeks filled with life-changing experiance after another, meeting incredible people, making life long friends once again. Don't rob your child of such an experience. Listen at the meeting. They tell you everything up front and if you can appreciate humanity on a global level, why not help your child learn too as well?

For me, it doesn't matter how my child was chosen nor how many letters were sent out. My son went to Australia for 3 weeks and had a life changing experience. He was able to do things as part of the program that he would not have ever been able to do as a regular visitor, like stay with a host family for 3 days and attend an Australian school. He swam the Corals, went to the Opera House at Syndey and traveled from the northern part to the southern part of Australia.

For those of you who are bashing the program, did your child attend the program? My son has gone on two trips and I would gladly send him on a third. No, I'm not financially independent nor am I a trust fund baby. I saved up the money, we fund raised and I put the balance on a credit card that I paid off in 6 months. It was well worth it to me and my son has experiences that will stay with him until he takes his last breath.

Im a 9th grade student and went on last years british isles and irish heritage trip. yes they may mislead you and i was kinda disturbed about this.......but i have to say, im a different person because of this trip. it reasonably priced for what u do, we did over 12 castles, palaces and such in 20 days. slept in hotels that were awesome and comfortable. the places we went,and people we met were really cool. i mean its not really the real deal cause they basically served us fake american food the whole trip, and we really didnt meet that many british ppl [my homestay didnt even have a kid, it was a creepy old lady who had a hooker living in the house] and i was never harmed or even close to it. i came back with 10 memories for every day i was there.

I still talk to many people who went on the trip with me and there are ppl i know that are going again this year. yes the program isnt perfect, but what in life is? plus the money issue, its not that much with what we did, 3 meals a day, hotels, plane, bus, train ect fair, and the places we go, 6000$ is way cheap for what we did. plus my family couldnt afford it, we went into my trust fund a lil, got money for relatives, and they give u a huge binder on how to fundraise. bake sales, other various sales, writing to companies, and these amazing creative ideas.

Even if i had know all this stuff before hand, about the program i wouldnt care, cause i had such an amazing time, i have post cards all over my room, i still have my journal that they make u keep, i mean theres no way to forget this trip, plus u earn high school credits and for like 100$ more earn collage credits, soo whast if it gets ur name off a mailing list, or decides on whose deposite comes first. it may mean that one day, ur childs dream school will see p2p whatever on their thing, and like it. and btw if u send ur deposite in and ur child doesnt get in, credit or not u can get a refund [that was explanded over a million times] soo im sorry if u ppl had a bad expierience or dont think its worth it, but listen to a poor person who couldnt afford this trip, ITS WORTH IT [and ur dumb if u think its not]