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People to People

Not everyone is unhappy with People to People. Below are some of the reports we've received from parents and children who were happy with the experience.

Lauren of Ball State University (12/24/07):
I do not work with People to People Student Ambassadors, but I have travelled with the organization in the past. ... Your articles on this subject are completely biased, not to mention incorrect. You honestly should be totally ashamed of what you have done. The people who are complaining about this do not have any sort of knowledge because they did not travel with People to People. Yes, it is more of a travel organization, but there is much more, and anyone with half a brain could figure that out from the beginning.

I highly doubt that this organization would still be here if everything you write about it were true. These incidents which you are referring to about "dead people" being contacted were totally out of the ordinary. The organization apologized profusely and this happened only twice in over fifty years. Also, with the mailing list, I attended a very well-respected high school, a four-star school, in a nationally-recognized town, where over 3,000 students attend as well, and hardly anyone I knew received a People to People letter. It is obvious that this mailing list is compiled from students who score high on standardized tests.

Also, your articles contain incorrect information as well. In one, you state that People to People is classified as a non-profit organization, but you then mislead consumers by saying that is as for-profit organization. No, that is not correct, the travel-booking company they contract to organize the itineraries is a for-profit organization. Obviously, this is the way things are done, just as high-school study-abroad and exchange programs are done. As for the individual who claimed that they could do this all independently with a travel company for a cheaper price.

Please educate yourself, and don't embarrass yourself by posting comments like this on a website that is meant to educaate consumers. Yes, this program is an expense, but it is also ! an incredible educational experience. Oh, and by the way, I attended a trip on which we travelled to London, and we met a member of Parlaiment. You are unfair and incredibly biased on the subject of People to People Student Ambassadors.

Georgi of Park Ridge, IL November 5, 2007

Georgi of Park Ridge IL (11/05/07)
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.

Maggie of Spring, TX April 12, 2007

Maggie of Spring TX (04/12/07)
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?

Stacy of Madison, AL March 21, 2007

Stacy of Madison AL (03/21/07)
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.

Kj of West Orange, NJ December 15, 2006

Kj of West Orange NJ (12/15/06)
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]

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