People To People - any info?

[AuntNi]

Hi there!

I don't have a preteen, but this is regarding my 5th grade nephew. He just received an invitation to join a People To People trip to Australia next summer. He was obviously very honored to be invited, because the letter said it was a very exclusive opportunity extended to a very few amount of students. We assumed he was invited because he received the top science score on the state standardized test this year.

I was so excited for him that I wanted to read more about the opportunity, so I did some research this morning. Immediately, I found this: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/trave...to_people.html

He's a very sensitive kid, and my family would never expose him to a situation where he gets all pumped up with kudos, only to find out he can't go because it's a scam. I'm just wondering if any of your kids have gotten this letter, or if you know anything about this organization.

Thanks so much!

[ziggy]

I have bunches of friends who've done people to people, and every one of them had wonderful experiences.

ETA: the friend I had do it all applied, they weren't nominated.

[MamaJenese]

My niece went on the people to peolpe trip last year to australia and had a blast!

[MCR]

I've had loads of those "invites" for both my boys.
It's just a company trying to sell a vacation for the kids. For the cost I'll take a family vacation. One trip for my oldest was to Europe, they wanted more than it would cost me to buy us three plane tickets to go. Another was the Washington DC to meet influential people, cost $2000 for about 4 days.
It's a rip, do a google search.

[Pancakes]

I remember them from when I was in high school. They said they were a foreign exchange program for students. We'd had two exchange students stay with us (different program) and all I remember is mom saying that the whole thing was a scam because foreign exchange programs do not charge thousands of dollars like that.

[fresh_water]

My neice is involved in People to People, and is having a great time. She's been to China, Los Angeles, Washington DC, and Australia so far. She is an only child though, and very intelligent, so she's able to 1- have her parents pay with no problem and 2- see the learning opportunities. She was nominated by a teacher when she was in 7th grade, and is now going to be a sophomore in high school. I don't think it's a scam. Maybe it is different in every region, as People to People is a huge deal up this way.

[AuntNi]

Thanks so much for the feedback. I imagine the whole thing is a moot point, because I'm sure my brother won't pay for the trip. I feel like foreign travel is such a great experience for kids. But as you said, an entire family could travel overseas for that amount of money. I wonder if there are scholarships available?

[kofduke]

My mom was a 6th grade teacher, and had several kids involved in people to people. They all had great experiences. IIRC several of them did fund-raising on their own so that their parents' cost was much less for the trip.

[ziggy]

One friend I know did babysitting as well as other fund raising activities - managed to cover her entire trip AND raise over $600 of spending money.

She worked her butt off for about 10 months, though.

[Marcee]

My son is going to Austria next summer for Basketball through People to People. He is very excited. He was nominated by his coach and the principal.

[dawningmama]

My cousin went on a people to people Australia trip 4 years ago and had an *amazing* time!! It looked like a great program.