Have you heard of People to People? My 13 year old Daughter has been invited...

The trip would be in the summer of 2008. She will be 13 this November

No, afraid not.

I have worked with these folks several times as a consultant. they are legit, professiional & I sent my kids to Germany & Turkey respectively with them.

I've never heard of it. It sounds like a great organization, and a great oppertunity for your daughter!

i believe that my sister-in-law took a trip across europe with them a year or two ago. she had a great time!

my son went to italy with the people to people and he was a student ambassador. he had the time of his life. the kids come back with a different respect for their country and their parents. mainly because they are to do things on their own like take care of their own money, laundry, getting up and getting ready on time....etc.

i'd say its a great program.

I have heard of this my kids get invited every year but I would never do it because i have never heard anything about it in the news etc

I've heard of this program - heard good things about them too. I know a few kids who have been invited to go on trips with them. It's legit, and from what I have heard, a good experience for the kids.

No offense to the UK but when I hear of things from them I think scam! BECAUSE they always send me stupid emails wanting me to join all there retarded scams they have! I would not personally allow my child to go at the age of 13 without me. I just dont trust many people these days.

I noticed many have done this and heard of it.. I would use the contact us link on their site and call and find out mre information and who chose her and all that! I would make sure I spoke to some for sure legit people!

I've never heard of it. My daughter just approached me today about a trip to Greece her school is sponoring, but a parent must attend. The cost for both of us for 10 days would be $7000.00. I don't think we can do that.

never heard of them either

QUOTE from Tiffany"No offense to the UK but when I hear of things from them I think scam! BECAUSE they always send me stupid emails wanting me to join all there retarded scams they have!"

Tiffany
Your comments are really quite objectionable. I could cite the many scams I receive that originate in the USA.... I would certainly never tar ALL the US organisations with the 'scam' brush.

If you changed your comment to say, 'South Africa' or 'Zimbabwe', would you then see how racist your comment?

Hmm...I don't think I've heard of them either. Sorry that I can't help you.

no, sorry

I saw People To People when I was a teenager; I loved them and wanted to be a part of the program. I do recall researching them back then but that was, ahem, a few years before the Internet and "instant research results" so I do not remember much about them. I do recall that my parents looked into it and they were satisfied enough to encourage me to audition if that was what I wanted. And my parents never let me out of their sight! :) So they were truly satisfied to go that far with it.

I had not heard of People To People in years - I honestly did not know they were still in existence. I would suggest you contact everyone you can find and check them out to pieces... pick them apart and turn them inside out to satisfy yourself. Starting with Gather was a great idea. :)

This might be a nice opportunity for your daughter. :)

Good luck!

Tiffany - they actually have many programs. To Ireland, Africa, China...etc.
For my daughter's age group, they choose a UK program for her to go on. This includes England & Ireland...many historical sites, etc.

Thank you everyone for your feedback on this.
I also talked to my boss about them & he knew of them as well.
I'm feeling pretty good about it so far, but I've heard it is very expensive. Not sure if we can swing that.....

My brother and I both traveled with them before, seperate trips during consecutive years. I had a lot of fun but the trips were expensive. We saved up for a year to be able to go.

Haven't heard of that. Check them out online 2 be sure they are legit. If it's expensive, maybe find something else.

No idea Priscilla....sorry :(

I haven't heard of it, but I would not be able to fford something like tht anyway. I know when I was in highschool they had a class trip to Greece. My parents couldn't afford it, so I stayed behind. I would be scared to send my 13 year old, (well... when mine is 13), off to the UK by themselves. If you research it thougroughly, and talk to other parents who have sent their kids through this organazation though, and it still sounds good, then just go with your gut...if it's something that you can afford especially...probably would be a wonderful experience for your daughter!!

We will go to the informational meeting at least - that's next weekend. Then see if we can manage to afford to send her. I think she would like to go & is mature enough to handle a group travel event.

Priscilla - if you can award it, then I think it's great you will allow her to travel to the UK. Broadening of horizons can't start too young, in my opinion!

In the UK it is common that children at secondary school (age 11 or 12 and up) go on 'school exchanges'. All my children did so. Usually in year 1 or 2 (11 or 12). The UK children go to stay with a family whose child is in the programme, in France or Spain or Italy or Germany (or any other country whose language the kids study!). Usually it is for 2 weeks, with one week being during term-time and the UK kids go to the overseas school with their 'partner') and then a week's holiday. Then the process is reversed with the French child coming here and attending a week of classes and a week's holiday. The visits usually occur around the Easter holidays and the beginning of the summer holidays in June/July.

I think they are a great thing: my children thoroughly enjoyed the exchanges and my daughter is shortly to attend the wedding of one of her French friends - they met at 11 and are firm friends to this day!

Oops, I meant to write 'if you can AFFORD it' in line one!

We got a mailing, too. Probably most kids in that age group. I would say it might be good to check with the school and see what the Social Studies teacher says. They might have a specific political bent, which might be similar or different to yours.

I think such things are OK but not as great as getting good grades in terms of getting into college. Think of it as an experience. You will probably find close and less expensive experiences closer to home that are just as good.

Also, she would have to be ready to go to such a program alone...to meet other kids.

I haven't heard of this either, but it does sound like a really great opportunity!

I agree that I would check with some school teachers and/or school guidance counselors to see if they have any knowledge of the program.

Priscilla, I have not heard about it, but it seems like a lot of people have. If you cannot afford it this year, maybe you can make a plan together with your daughter about how you can save up the money for her to go in 2009. No matter what it sounds like your daughter would have a great experience.

I came to Florida at age 15 as an exchange student from Europe, and although it was scary at first, it was a life changing year, and I really learned so much from being on my own.

I've never heard of them before, but it sounds like something to look into..

sounds like a great opportunity for your daughter. I hope it works out.

I have heard of it and it's a very prestigious group. I don't know if I would allow my niece to do it at 13...that does seem young to be sending them out into the world. Congratulations to her for being invited.

That sounds awesome! Please congratulate her on our behalf, and if she doesn't have a Gather account, see if she'd open one to keep us abreast of her exciting travels!

Actually I agree with Tiffany!
I have been approached by MANY people sporting UK email addresses who are scammers. Some of the singles sites are FULL of them. They pretend to be Americans, but their email address is in the UK. I have only had 1 American try to scam me.

Racist to you or not Ishbel, Tiffany was speaking of something that is a problem.
And if you are having a problem with Americans or any one else trying to scam or take advantage of YOU, feel free to speak of it. You won't offend me!

I ignore all scam emails/posts - my natural sense of self-preservation means my radar is always on. I've NEVER been on a singles site - not my scene at all - and if you are registered on them, then surely the caveat emptor idea should rule supreme?

It may not be scamming, but my inbox gets filled with pharmaceutical emails all originating in the USA....

I still say it's racist to say that ANYTHING from the UK should be treated with suspicion, terry.

No, I have never heard of them. But it sounds like a great opportunity.

I have heard of them actually and know of 2 kids who have gone on trips, 1 to England and one to Australia. One was one of my girl scouts and she had a blast on the trip, her brother was the other one and he too enjoyed the fun. I think they do a great job showing the kids there is more to the world than their little tiny piece of it. I think if you can afford it send her!

Ishbel & Terry, this was in no way an email. This was a letter that was sent to us, her parents. I beleive she got the mailing because Duke University has invited her to do her SAT/ACT test - I'm pretty sure this mailing was sent to the students that have acheived higher testing. My daughter is in the 99th percentile according to last years testing.
I wouldn't even open an email if it was like this, but a letter is different & I've been researching the site.....it seems like a great program.

Good for you, Priscilla!
I just took exception to the remark about if it originated in the UK, it should be treated with suspicion! Not all of us are crooks!

that is the strange part Ishbel, I never said it originated in the UK, people just assumed. This is a US orgainization, started by President Eisenhower, and continued by every President since then.

Hahahaaaaa - that's even FUNNIER!

:) I know it Ishbel!

Sounds legit. Just a matter of whether or not you can afford it.