Is the People To People Student Ambassador Program worth the price?

Question

I got a packet in the mail a short while back and I was excited because I've always wanted to travel over there. Can you tell me if you've gone and if it's worth going? Do you know someone that's going or has already gone? Did they enjoy it?

Thank you!

Answer 1

I am a People To People aIumni, and I would say its definitely worth it. Its a great opportunity to see how people from different parts of the world live. And about it being too "touristy", while I admit some of the things they do does seem like things an average tourist would do, they also do things exclusive to People To People (PTP) that you could not do outside of this and other such programs ie, staying with a family native to the country you are in for two days or meeting with government leaders, for instance.

I took PTP trip to Australia this past summer, and it was really the greatest thing I have ever done. The people in your group ("delegation") that you travel the whole time with become your 2nd family. What a scene it was at our home airport when we had to say goodbye! I still see my friends from PTP about 1-2 times a month, and will probably stay like this for life. I also keep in contact with my homestay family.

Now in regard to some of the things you may have heard: It is on the expensive side; about $6,000 for the high school 20 day programs. (high school programs are usually around 20 days while middle school programs are around 14 days, being around $3-4,000) However, this cost can be brought down with buissness sponserships, fundrasing, scholarships etc. You do get high school credit for it, as an elective.

If you do decide to apply, you have to go through an interview process to be fully accepted. You should not worry about these interviews because they're main purpose is just for your leaders to make sure your not a problem to travel with them and to get to know you.
Before your trip, you have to attend about 6 informational meetings (once a month) in the months leading up to your trip. Note that this is not the same as the one you are invited to in your letter. This is only after you enroll in the program. During these meetings, you meet with the other kids who will be traveling with you and your leaders. (great time to start making friends, so that you will know other people when you actually leave) In said meetings, you also go over policies and all sorts of information about the trip. All your burning questions are answered here, if not at the initial info meeting.


There are some cons to it though that I've noticed:
1) In a rare case, you may not get to do every single activity on the itinerary. For example, my delegation had to miss learning how to play cricket at Sydney stadium because our flight had a delayed arrival. However, they did manage to get us to go to the big mall the next day as to kinda "make up" for it. Its all based on timing.

2) The cost obviously

3) You are strictly limited on the amount of luggage you are permitted to take. Only one rolling suitcase and one carry on bag is allowed, and these have size and weight restrictions.

4) This wasn't a problem with me, but potential homesickness can spoil a great day.

5) There is a strict curfew at night. Usually, you and your roommates have to be in your hotel room by 10-11 pm, although your leaders can adjust this depending on what you did that day or are doing the next day.

6) There is a dress code, but its nothing too extreme. You are required to wear your PTP name tag/lanyard just about everywhere except your hotel room, swimming and during high adventure activities.

7) In order to get the high school credit, you are required to write and keep keep a travel journal of your trip each night.



Most notable pros:

1) Stay with a native family for two days in the country you are visiting. They would have kids about the same age as you and would go to their school.

2) Everything on the trip is already set up by your program manager of ie hotel/restaurant reservations (You will have three full meals a day), food/hotel bills, activity planning, ALL flights(all flights are coach class)/bus and other transportation. In other words, you have to do nothing except enjoy these!

3) Basically, everything is included in the ~$6k tuition except airline fuel surcharges, souvenirs, payphone calls, extra snacks in between regular meals etc

4) You do things you never have done before.

5) Make ALOT of great friends!

6) Hotels are 3-4 star properties...really nice

7) Your leaders will let you have "free time" to wander around in individual groups by yourself for a certain amount of time. ie Stores, small towns etc

8) As I have said, you can easily earn the high school credit..and with slightly more effort, even college credits!


9) By traveling with PTP, you automatically gain access to really nice alumni trips such as South Africa and even Antarctica! All of which you can travel in the very next year.

10) By traveling with them, you can join the Passport Club, which is for alumni only and can help you to keep active in PTP even if you don't want to travel with them again and other things.

This program is really great and I would reccommend it to any and everyone. Even if you don't want to or plan on going, I would definitely go to the info meeting. These meetings are extremely helpful. You get a background on the program, get to meet with other potential delegates who may travel with you, meet and ask questions to program leaders and alumni who have already attended a trip. There is absolutely no obligation to travel if you attend the meeting. If you do not decide to go this year, don;t worry. Chances are that if you go to they meeting, you will get another letter at this same time next year inviting you again, though the destination countries may not be the same but thats no problem; your sure to have the best time wherever you go. Hope I was of some help to you and your decision making. Feel more than free to ask anymore questions you may have!

Answer 2

people to people is deffinately worth it. in 2005 i went to australia with people to people (p2p) and had the best time of my life. you hit all the major tourist spots, and it's cheaper than if you were to travel on your own and go to all the same places. i made some of my best friends through p2p, and wouldn't trade them for the world. it's an unbelievable experience, and you'll never forget it. also, once you've been an ambassador, you have a standing invitation until you graduate from high school. also, as an alumni you get special admissions into other programs which go to south africa, asia, and even antarctica. it's the best thing you could possibly do, and i'd deffinately reccommend it. i'm going back to australia as well as to new zealand next year with p2p :)

Answer 3

is this jon?