View source for People to People Student Ambassador Program

{{Short description|Travel service}}
{{Infobox organization
|name         = People to People Student Ambassador Program
|image        = P2Plogo.png
|image_border =
|size         = 150px
|caption      =
|type         = Youth Peace Ambassador/Travel
|formation    = {{Start date|1956|09|11}}
|headquarters = [[Spokane, Washington]]
|location     =
|membership   =
|language     =
|leader_title =
|leader_name  =
|num_staff    =
|budget       =
|parent_organization = [[Ambassadors Group]]
}}

The '''People to People Student Ambassador Program''' was a travel service based in [[Spokane, Washington]], offering domestic and international travel opportunities to [[middle school|middle]] and [[high school]] students. The group was founded in 1956, during the Eisenhower administration, and reincorporated in 1995. It converted in 2002 to a for-profit company, Ambassadors Group. It ceased student travel operations in 2015.

Since its founding, nearly half a million students, adults and athletes participated in the ambassador programs.<ref name=sec10k>{{cite web |url= https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1162315/000116231511000016/form10k_.htm |title= Form 10-K |author= Ambassadors Group |date= December 31, 2010 |work= [[U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission]] |access-date= June 16, 2011 |author-link= Ambassadors Group |archive-date= October 15, 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121015020525/http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1162315/000116231511000016/form10k_.htm |url-status= live }}</ref> From 2002 to 2015, the services offered were operated by [[Ambassadors Group]], a for-profit [[company]].<ref name=reuters>{{cite news |url= http://stocks.us.reuters.com/stocks/fullDescription.asp?symbol=EPAX.O&WTmodLOC=L2-LeftNav-8.5-FullDescription |archive-url= https://archive.today/20130104234158/http://stocks.us.reuters.com/stocks/fullDescription.asp?symbol=EPAX.O&WTmodLOC=L2-LeftNav-8.5-FullDescription |url-status= dead |archive-date= January 4, 2013 |title= Ambassadors Group Inc (EPAX.O) |work= [[Reuters]] |year= 2011 |access-date= June 16, 2011}}</ref> Though open to international primary and secondary school students, programs were primarily for [[United States|American]] students aged 10 through 18. In the late 20th century, the typical length of a program was three weeks for a group of thirty to forty students.<ref name=nyt>{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/10/12/travel/practical-traveler-student-travel-the-first-step.html | work=[[The New York Times]] | title=Practical Traveler; Student Travel: The First Step | first=Betsy | last=Wade | author-link=Betsy Wade | date=October 12, 1997 | access-date=May 22, 2010 | archive-date=August 31, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100831033403/http://www.nytimes.com/1997/10/12/travel/practical-traveler-student-travel-the-first-step.html | url-status=live }}</ref> Ambassadors Group ceased operations for student travel on July 13, 2015.<ref name="urlPTPI - Immersive">{{cite web
| url = http://www.ptpi.org/Programs/Immersive-Travel
| title = PTPI - Immersive Travel & Events
| date = October 8, 2015
| access-date = 2015-10-19
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151011084854/http://www.ptpi.org/Programs/Immersive-Travel
| archive-date = October 11, 2015
| url-status = usurped
}}</ref>

== History ==
[[File:Eisenhower with People to People committee.jpg|thumb|President [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]] with the People to People committee in 1960.]]
In 1956, U.S. President [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]] sought diplomatic alternatives to the wars he witnessed as a soldier, general and Allied Commander. On September 11, 1956, he called a [[White House]] conference of 100 top American leaders, who joined him in creating the People to People initiative, focused on creating [[United States Cultural Exchange Programs|cultural exchange programs]].<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.eisenhower.archives.gov/research/digital_documents/People_to_People/People_to_People.html |title= People-to-People Program |work= [[Eisenhower Presidential Center]] |access-date= June 16, 2011 |date= December 30, 2009 |archive-date= July 16, 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110716120824/http://eisenhower.archives.gov/Research/Digital_Documents/People_to_People/People_to_People.html |url-status= live }}</ref> This conference followed a [[Geneva]] summit, at which Eisenhower and Soviet Premier [[Nikita Khrushchev]] expressed enthusiasm for exchange programs as a means to ease [[Cold War]] tensions.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.ptpi.org/about_us/History.aspx |title= People to People International History |work= [[People to People International]] |year= 2011 |access-date= June 16, 2011 |url-status= usurped |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110811085336/http://www.ptpi.org/about_us/History.aspx |archive-date= August 11, 2011 }}</ref> Participants in this conference included [[Joyce Hall]], founder of Hallmark Cards; comedian [[Bob Hope]]; and creative entertainer [[Walt Disney]]. He became one of the founding directors of People to People and later drew inspiration from the initiative to create the "[[It's a Small World]]" attraction at Disneyland in 1964.<ref>{{cite web|title=Global Youth Forum|url=http://www.ptpime.org/|publisher=[[People to People International]]|access-date=June 16, 2011|year=2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130916022225/http://www.ptpime.org/|archive-date=September 16, 2013}}</ref>

The program was originally sponsored by the [[United States Information Agency|U.S. Information Agency]], of the Federal government. In 1961, Eisenhower decided that it should be carried on by private citizens and asked Joyce Hall to facilitate the privatization. That same year, the nonprofit People to People International began a contractual relationship with Ambassador Programs, Inc. to administer People to People travel programs for adults and students.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.peopletopeople.com/our-history/|title=President Eisenhower &#124; History of People to People International Travel Programs|access-date=2018-09-24|archive-date=2018-09-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924110036/https://www.peopletopeople.com/our-history/|url-status=usurped}}</ref> In 1962, the first delegation of university students traveled overseas and stayed with families across [[Europe]].<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.wickedlocal.com/halifax/news/x1745235669/People-to-People |title= People to People |work= [[Halifax-Plympton Reporter]] |first= Frank |last= Mand |date= January 14, 2011 |access-date= June 16, 2011 |archive-date= November 11, 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121111141249/http://www.wickedlocal.com/halifax/news/x1745235669/People-to-People |url-status= live }}</ref>

Regular annual programs began in 1967. Until expansion in the 1980s, the organization sent only a few hundred students abroad each year.<ref name=nyt/> In 2002, [[People to People International]] granted a license to operate student programs under the ''People to People Student Ambassador Program'' name to [[Ambassadors Group]], which had been formed as a separate company from the Ambassadors Education Group. The Company closed in 2015.<ref name=sec10k/>

== Programs ==

People to People Ambassador Programs offered four types of ambassador travel, including international student ambassador travel, domestic leadership ambassador summits and forums, international collegiate ambassador travel, and international citizen ambassador travel for industry professionals.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.peopletopeople.com/about-us/|title=About Us|access-date=2022-01-21|archive-date=2021-04-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419194557/https://www.peopletopeople.com/about-us/|url-status=usurped}}</ref>

Countries visited included [[Germany]], [[France]], [[Canada]], [[Czechoslovakia]], [[Austria]], [[Denmark]], the [[Netherlands]], [[Australia]], [[New Zealand]], [[China]], [[Japan]], [[Korea]], [[Taiwan]], [[Hong Kong]], [[Malta]], [[Italy]], [[Greece]], [[Fiji]], the [[Republic of Ireland]], the [[United Kingdom]] and [[Russia]]. Experienced students who were alumni of the program and wanted to travel again were given the chance to choose more exotic destinations for subsequent trips such as [[South Africa]], or [[Antarctica]].<ref name=sec10k/> Programs typically departed between June and August, rather than during the [[academic year]], in groups of between thirty and forty students. The target student-teacher ratio was 10-to-1.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbb.org/eastern-washington/business-reviews/travel-escorts/ambassador-programs-inc-in-spokane-wa-5000902/|title=Ambassador Programs, Inc. Review - Travel Escorts in Spokane, WA - BBB Business Review - BBB serving Eastern Washington, North Idaho and Montana|access-date=2014-12-01|archive-date=2014-12-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141202205012/http://www.bbb.org/eastern-washington/business-reviews/travel-escorts/ambassador-programs-inc-in-spokane-wa-5000902|url-status=live}}</ref>

Trips usually were composed of students from a given city or county, not from a specific school. Tuition – the fees charged for a trip – ranged from $4,500 for trips to Canada, to more than $7,999 for trips to Australia and South Pacific destinations. A trip to Antarctica was available for $12,500, however this fee was not listed on their website in 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.peopletopeople.com/about-us/people-to-people-program-cost|title=People to People Program Cost|access-date=2014-12-01|archive-date=2014-07-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140702151302/http://www.peopletopeople.com/about-us/people-to-people-program-cost|url-status=usurped}}</ref>

During the trips, students attended various educational activities, and had the chance to meet local leaders and dignitaries. Trips also featured such outdoor activities as hiking, snorkeling, zip-lining or rappelling.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.peopletopeople.com/why-people-to-people/unique-and-exclusive|title=Unique and Exclusive Study Abroad Programs|access-date=2014-12-01|archive-date=2014-12-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141205091340/http://www.peopletopeople.com/why-people-to-people/unique-and-exclusive|url-status=usurped}}</ref> Longer itineraries included a 2- to 3-day home stay with a local family.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.peopletopeople.com/why-people-to-people/cultural-immersion|title=Cultural Immersion Through Study Abroad|access-date=2014-12-01|archive-date=2014-12-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141205091350/http://www.peopletopeople.com/why-people-to-people/cultural-immersion|url-status=usurped}}</ref>

Each student ambassador travel program included a service component in which ambassadors participated in hands-on community service projects.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.peopletopeople.com/why-people-to-people/service-in-action|title=Education Travel - People to People Ambassador Programs|access-date=2014-12-01|archive-date=2014-12-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141205091331/http://www.peopletopeople.com/why-people-to-people/service-in-action|url-status=usurped}}</ref> Participants could earn high school or college credit for classes through the Washington School of World Studies (operated by People to People), and through [[Eastern Washington University]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.peopletopeople.com/why-people-to-people/academic-success|title=Educational Tour - People to People Ambassador Programs|access-date=2014-12-01|archive-date=2014-12-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141205091328/http://www.peopletopeople.com/why-people-to-people/academic-success|url-status=usurped}}</ref>

People to People Ambassador Programs also offered domestic student trips for grade school, middle school and high school students through Leadership Ambassador Programs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.peopletopeople.com/our-programs/leadership-ambassadors|title=Leadership Programs|access-date=2014-12-01|archive-date=2014-12-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141205091346/http://www.peopletopeople.com/our-programs/leadership-ambassadors|url-status=usurped}}</ref> These programs were focused on leadership development, community involvement, civics education and college preparation. Leadership Ambassador Programs included student trips to various U.S. destinations, including Washington D.C., New York City, Chicago, and Los Angeles, to hear from speakers and industry experts, and exchange ideas with their peers from around the world. On these four- to ten-day programs, delegates engaged in leadership curriculum, team-building and personal development exercises.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.peopletopeople.com/our-programs/leadership-ambassadors/leadership-catalog|title=2014 Student Leadership Catalog - People to People Leadership Ambassadors – People to People Ambassador Programs|access-date=2014-12-01|archive-date=2013-05-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130501122521/http://peopletopeople.com/our-programs/leadership-ambassadors/leadership-catalog|url-status=usurped}}</ref>

==Applications==
Any student (5th grade or older) could apply to travel on a program.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.peopletopeople.com/our-programs/student-ambassadors/student-faq|title=Student Travel FAQ|access-date=2014-12-01|archive-date=2014-12-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141205091343/http://www.peopletopeople.com/our-programs/student-ambassadors/student-faq|url-status=usurped}}</ref> All students must complete an application and an interview process before they can go on a trip to ensure that they possess the maturity and social skills needed for extended travel.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.peopletopeople.com/our-programs/student-ambassadors/become-a-student-ambassador|title=Student Ambassador Programs - People to People|access-date=2014-12-01|archive-date=2014-12-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141205091333/http://www.peopletopeople.com/our-programs/student-ambassadors/become-a-student-ambassador|url-status=usurped}}</ref>

The nomination process was open to any applicant. Some parents complained in 2006 that the program's marketing made it appear that their child was exclusively selected or nominated to participate.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.azcentral.com/12news/consumer/articles/people-to-people-script09222006-CR.html |title= Parents complain People to People International is misleading |work= [[The Arizona Republic]] |first= Dave |last= Cherry |date= September 21, 2006 |access-date= June 16, 2010 |archive-date= January 21, 2022 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220121155136/https://help.azcentral.com/ |url-status= live }}</ref> The [[Iowa Attorney General]] investigated the program's operator in 2006 after an invitation was accidentally sent to the long-deceased child of a family. The operator modified the invitation and presentation process.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.state.ia.us/government/ag/latest_news/releases/june_2006/People_to_People.html | title=People to People Student Ambassador Program Agrees to Modify Representations About How Students are "Selected" for International Travel | publisher=Iowa Attorney General | date=June 8, 2006 | access-date=October 5, 2006 | archive-date=September 23, 2006 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060923033916/http://www.state.ia.us/government/ag/latest_news/releases/june_2006/People_to_People.html | url-status=live }}</ref> In another case, a family received a People to People solicitation claiming under the name of their late family pet, that it had been selected as an ambassador.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2006/12/p2p_earl.html | title=People to Dead Cat Invited to participate in abroad program | publisher=Consumer Affairs | date=September 8, 2007 | access-date=October 5, 2006 | archive-date=January 3, 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070103193700/http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2006/12/p2p_earl.html | url-status=live }}</ref>

==Controversies==

In 2007, student ambassador Tyler Hill died of complications following his group's hike on [[Mount Fuji]] in [[Japan]]. The family sued the program and its parent company, reaching a settlement in 2009.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=821471 |title= Settlement reached in teen traveler wrongful death lawsuit |date= August 9, 2009 |work= [[KARE (TV)|KARE]] |first= John |last= Croman |access-date= June 16, 2011 |archive-date= January 21, 2022 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220121155135/https://www.kare11.com/error/404?storyid=821471 |url-status= live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2008/01/p2p_hill.html |title= People to People Faces Wrongful Death Lawsuit |date= January 29, 2008 |work= [[KARE (TV)|KARE]] |access-date= September 19, 2014 |archive-date= October 17, 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141017164608/http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2008/01/p2p_hill.html |url-status= live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.startribune.com/local/west/14600127.html | title=Mound family sues over son's death in Japan | website=[[Star Tribune]] | access-date=2014-09-19 | archive-date=2015-04-03 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403130643/http://www.startribune.com/local/west/14600127.html | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2008/jan/30/parents-of-dead-student-sue-people-to-people/ | title=Parents of dead student sue People to People &#124; the Spokesman-Review | access-date=2014-09-19 | archive-date=2015-04-03 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403140009/http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2008/jan/30/parents-of-dead-student-sue-people-to-people/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.napil.net/2009/08/settlement-reached-in-case-of-minn.html |title=National Association of Personal Injury Lawyers: Settlement Reached in Case of Minn. Teen's Death in Japan |access-date=2014-09-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111012164208/http://www.napil.net/2009/08/settlement-reached-in-case-of-minn.html |archive-date=2011-10-12 }}</ref>

In 2008, People to People invested more than $3 million to support health and safety initiatives for participants.<ref name=spokesman/> The company also hired a full-time Senior Director of Health and Safety and began a Safe Travel 24/7 blog.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://ptpsafety.blogspot.com |title= Safe Travel 24/7 blog |first= Michael J. |last= Bowers |year= 2011 |access-date= June 16, 2011 |work= People to People Ambassadors Programs |archive-date= July 8, 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110708061201/http://ptpsafety.blogspot.com/ |url-status= live }}</ref> In 2010, People to People Ambassador Programs launched the FindMe program with Cellhire that allowed a mobile phone to be tracked using [[GPS]] or [[Mobile phone tracking|cell tower triangulation]].<ref name=spokesman>{{cite news |url= http://www.spokesman.com/blogs/officehours/2011/jun/08/ambassadors-adds-gps-phones-its-summer-travel-groups/ |title= Ambassadors adds GPS phones to its summer travel groups |work= [[The Spokesman-Review]] |date= June 8, 2011 |access-date= June 16, 2011 |archive-date= June 20, 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110620020926/http://www.spokesman.com/blogs/officehours/2011/jun/08/ambassadors-adds-gps-phones-its-summer-travel-groups/ |url-status= live }}</ref> Parents of students could also rent the FindMe phone and have text conversations with their children through the FindMe website.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.landairsea.com/gps-tracking-blog/gps-devices-track-student-travelers-around-the-world/ |title= GPS Devices Track Student Travelers around the World |publisher= Land Air Sea |date= August 3, 2010 |access-date= September 29, 2010 |archive-date= December 5, 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101205113203/http://www.landairsea.com/gps-tracking-blog/gps-devices-track-student-travelers-around-the-world/ |url-status= live }}</ref>

In July 2011, CBS News reported<ref name="cbsnews.com">{{cite news | url=http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7373029n | work=CBS News | title=New backlash over "People to People" program - CBS News Video | access-date=2013-01-12 | archive-date=2012-12-14 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121214174337/http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7373029n | url-status=live }}</ref> that People to People had retained a for-profit marketing company, AmbassadorsGroup<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ambassadorsgroup.com/ |title=Ambassadors Group, Inc |access-date=2006-08-12 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130116192319/http://www.ambassadorsgroup.com/ |archive-date=2013-01-16 }}</ref> to solicit participants. Among their reportedly questionable tactics: solicitations to long-deceased children citing their "exceptional academic performance" as the reason for the solicitation<ref name="cbsnews.com"/> {{Citation needed|date=February 2013}}, and the signed endorsement of a Virginia State Senator without her endorsement or knowledge.<ref name="cbsnews.com"/><ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-500172_162-20078698.html | work=CBS News | title=Eisenhower student program invitations questioned - CBS News | access-date=2013-09-27 | archive-date=2013-09-21 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921194559/http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-500172_162-20078698.html | url-status=dead }}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.consumeraffairs.com/travel/people_to_people.html Top 28 Reviews about People to People]
* {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/19990125102100/http://www.peopletopeople.com/ Official website]}}
* {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/19971222084958/http://ptpi.org/ People to People International]}}
* [http://www.peopletopeople.com/alumni Official website of the People to People Student Ambassador Alumni]{{dead link|date=May 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
* [https://archive.today/20060516032909/http://www.eisenhower.utexas.edu/dl/People_To_People/People_to_People.html Eisenhower Library archives on People to People program]

{{Dwight D. Eisenhower|state=collapsed}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:People To People Student Ambassador Program}}
[[Category:Student exchange]]
[[Category:Companies based in Spokane, Washington]]