Student Ambassador Program? About This Page:

[mcneal]

We got a letter today from People to People Student Ambassador Programs in Spokane,Washington. It says our 5th grade son has been invited to travel ad study in UK and Ireland in 2004. [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img] This program was founded b Pres.Eisenhower. I was wondering if any of these wonderful Passporters had any dealings with this group. We are very excited about this but also a little sceptical. [img]images/icons/confused.gif[/img] My son was all wide-eyed and open mouthed. I would really appreciate any feedback on this. Thanks, Mary

[All Ears]

Wow! I have never heard of such a program. But it does sound very interesting. Hopefully someone around here will know more.
Michelle

[loobyoxlip]

5th grade?!? Wow. I have never heard of this program, either. Who will he be traveling with? How long will he be gone? That just seems so young to me. Although I don't think I would ever be able to deny my children of the pleasure of traveling overseas, even at such a young age. Is this a group of students with a chaperone? Or one on one student/adult? Sounds interesting.

[Irenaroo]

Just yesterday we received the same mailing for my son! My son is 12 years old and in grade 7. He is invited to study in England, France, Italy and Greece in 2004. It says he was recommended by a teacher or national educ. listing organization. I am very skeptical. Can't imagine sending my 12 year old to live with host families for 22 days in all of these different countries. I am very curious as well, and was just on their web site. Are you going to your local informational meeting? My son isn't all that interested. He's uneasy about travelling with "strangers". What do you think?

[GoofyMom]

Whoa! You mean you didn't apply for this, and you didn't get asked permission by the teacher to submit your sons' names? [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] Serious investigation time!!! [img]graemlins/ukid.gif[/img]

[macrosswife]

Wow! Congrats!
I have heard of the People to People program, and knew of someone who was a Student Ambassador, but can't for the life of me recall who it was! (Sorry!)

Having said that, I would find out who nominated your son, and start doing some serious research on the internet. It's a great honor, but I agree that allowing your son off by himself would have me very apprehensive!

Good Luck!!
~Kimber

[Snapple]

My supervisor's son did this when her was in high school. It was a wonderful program for him. He went to Ireland, Scotland, and England. He was really kind of shy when he left. But it built up his confidence. He's much more outgoing now.

[mcneal]

thanks for the response.
Snapple--I'm glad someone has some experience with this.
Irenaroo-I hope it turns out to be legit. My DS is excited about it and I think it would be really good for him--his a "momma's boy". We signed up to go to a meeting Oct. 22 to find out more.
I went to the actual website and it looks good but I think I will ask at my son's school what they know. I will try to remember and post any further info I get. mary

[Fortissimo]

I would seriously check a lot further into how he was nominated. Some of our students went last year after "we" nominated them - "we" the teachers never nominated the students as none of us had ever heard about the program for children who are not in high school.

[Chrissi]

I know several of my friends have done the student ambassador program, but that was in highschool and they were largely unchaperoned while in Australia. They loved it, but it doesn't seem appropriate for middle schoolers. I'd dig a little deeper.

[SarahJ]

I just did a search for them on the Better Business Bureau web site for you and they are members of the BBB (since 1982) and have a satisfactory rating. The organization's web site is http://www.studentambassadors.org/

I had never heard of them, but they do sound legit. I would be very curious to know who nominated your child though.

[DVC_Don]

I went to their web site and it says for middle & high school students. But, I had never heard of them before your post. I too would ask questions about this "nomination".

[tikibird]

Chris received a "nomination" for this a couple of times when he was in high school. I did check into it - the cost was pretty significant, and he did not express any great interest in the program, so we did not pursue it at the time.

[Erinsmom]

I got a similar letter yesterday for my 6th grader Carmen. Her letter said that she could go to Yosemite and some other places.

It seems fluky and expensive so I pitched it. It's nice that someone thinks highly of Carmen [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

Cami

[DisneyNutMary]

My 5th grade son received a letter about this. It said he would have the opportunity to visit Yosemite as well as various places.

I went to the website, and it seemed legit, but I can't help being wary still. The tuition seemed a bit high, and there was no mention of chaperones. With all the sickos in the world, I am leery of sending y son off with people I don't know.

I ended up just tossing it in the trash.