People to People Student Ambassador Program
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The People to People Student Ambassador Program is an organization based in Spokane, WA, that offers international travel opportunities to elementary, middle, and high school students. The People to People Student Ambassador Program is one of the sponsored programs of People to People International. The mission of such programs is to "promote peace through understanding," in the words of Eisenhower, who founded the program in 1956. Student itineraries combine hands-on cultural experiences, access to people and places that are not always available to tourists, and outdoor experiences to create an international travel opportunity geared toward learning and cultural exchange.
Over the past 50 years, Student Ambassadors have traveled to all seven continents with the motto to "promote peace through understanding." Many past participants in the program also attribute a better vision of the world, gain in maturity, and greater confidence to the experience.
In the current high school programs, homestay opportunities are a central element to give a greater insight to the culture of the host family. This face to face contact with students and families is meant to "promote peace through understanding" in the way laid out by President Eisenhower. Many programs for all ages also include meetings with local or national government officials.
The typical length of programs for high school age participants is three weeks, with two weeks more common for middle school travelers. Fees vary for domestic and international programs. Prices include all travel expenses, as well as lodging, meals, and activities and these arrangements are made and managed by Ambassadors Group, Inc. (NASDAQ EPAX). The cost varies by program, but has been reported at approximately $5,000 for a high-school program.[1] The cost rises, however, when necessary items outside tuition are considered: passport prices (more expensive for youth and to expedite), potential fuel surcharges, travel needs (medicine, clothes, equipment, luggage, phone cards), orientation meeting materials (parties, projects, supplies), emergency funds, additional food, water, souveniers, and individual spending habits. All delegations are led by license-holding educators that have passed an interview process with the organization. The student:teacher ratio is typically no greater than 10:1, and is often usually quite lower.[citation needed]
Some of the places visited include Australia, Canada, China, England, Fiji, France, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Malta, New Zealand, Scotland, South Africa, and Wales.
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[edit] History
In 1956, President Eisenhower sought an alternative to the wars he witnessed as a soldier, general and Allied Commander. He called a White House conference of 100 of the top American leaders who joined him in creating the People to People initiative. In 1961, Eisenhower decided that People to People should be preserved by private citizens and asked Joyce C. Hall of Hallmark cards to move the program to the private sector. The organization was relocated to Kansas City, Missouri. In 1962, the first delegation of university students traveled overseas and stayed with families all over Europe. The first Student Ambassador Program was organized in 1963. People to People recently celebrated its 50th anniversary with a special program in Washington, D.C. The program included a formal reception hosted by Mary Eisenhower and a keynote address by Tom Brokaw.[citation needed]
[edit] Criticisms of the Program
[edit] Student Nominations
The criteria that has been used by People to People Student Ambassador Programs to select students is not always fully disclosed. Often, a letter is received by the People to People candidate stating they were nominated or invited to attend the program by a teacher, community leader, or former Student Ambassador. However, the program website now features a "Nominate a Student" portion which calls into question the exclusivity of the letters sent out to prospective participants in the program. In addition to personal nominations, student names are gathered from national academic listings, which is now referenced in the letter.[citation needed] Selectivity of the program is still addressed, however, in that prospective Student Ambassadors must possess three letters of recommendation and pass an interview with one or more delegation leaders prior to acceptance.
The Iowa Supreme Court recently reviewed a case in which a woman was contacted by this organization on behalf of her son who had died years earlier. As a result of this attention, descriptions of selection criteria have been updated by People to People for residents of Iowa..[1] Despite the efforts to increase selectivity, the economical aspect is still the biggest factor in determining which students may travel. Teachers who lead the students still have very little power in rejecting students whom they feel are not prepared or responsible enough to travel.
Similar to the above requirements for students, teacher-leaders themselves are screened, interviewed and background checked prior to appointment. As with all people entrusted with student travelers, it is highly recommended that parents get to know the leaders for their local delegation prior to travel, and also be familiear with the area director and program representative. Due to the nature of this trip (paid for teacher leaders), teachers looking for a "free" vacation is unavoidable.
[edit] Program Management
People to People Student Ambassador Programs are educational programs designed to continue the mission of People to People International as laid out by President Eisenhower. PTPI is not in direct control of booking, itinerary structure, etc., but rather has contracted Ambassadors Group, Inc. with exclusive marketing and logistical support for the People to People programs. AGI is a public company that trades on the NASDAQ market, with the stock market symbol EPAX.
[edit] References
- ^ a b ""People to People Student Ambassador" Program Agrees to Modify Representations About How Students are "Selected" for International Travel", Iowa Attorney General, 8 June 2006. Retrieved on 2006-10-05.
