Is People to People worth the time and money?

Question

I got a letter from People To People last friday that invited me to a conference in Australia next summer. I was wondering if anyone had participated in a People to People conference before. I was also wondering if anyone knew how much it cost, if it was worth it, or if it was just a waste of time.

Answer 1

I was invited too and I'm shockd to see that it's like $5,000-$6,000 for 19 days!

Answer 2

i've been invited, but i never went

however, i had 2 or 3 friends who went a couple of years ago (to europe)

they did not like it at all... they said the tour guides were bad (drinking and smoking), the tours weren't fun, and it was overpriced

that's what they told me!

Answer 3

I'm wondering the same thing, it sounds odd to me, I  got invited to go to Washington D.C. in 09. IDK though.

Answer 4

To be honest it's not.

It's a big waste of money. With other programs you can go a whole year to a country at the same amount they offer for the summer. Try other programs like AFS, YFU and Rotary. Those are very reputable programs.

Here is a helpful forum: http://www.cultures-shocked.org/forum/?

Answer 5

I went to a People to People trip to Washington DC last April and it was totally worth it.  You meet all kins of cool people and learn a lot.  There they showed us a slide show of the Australia trip it looked like the chance of a lifetime.  There were pics of people scuba diving, exploring native wildlife and much more.  If the money is an issue the People to People organization offer scholarships and fundraising in your community is a good way too.

Answer 6

YES, YES, YES! i went to france, austria, germany, switzerland, and italy through people to people and it was the BEST THING IVE EVER DONE! DO IT, YOU WONT BE DISAPPOINTED! =D

my trip was 19 days and it was about $6,000. but remember, you get to do things that you wouldnt be able to do other wise, such as talk to government officials, home stay families, etc. here are some brief highlights: http://www.studentambassadors.org/destin...

you also get college credit (if you apply for it). its wonderful.

Answer 7

I went to Australia with people to people back in 2005. It was their rock and reef program. To me it was worth it. I've seen places and things that many people will never get to see in their lifetime. I walked around Ularu (Ayers Rock), walked through King's Canyon, swam in the Great Barrier Reef, visited the Sydney opera house and slept outside at a bush camp in the northern Territory. I even spent time living with a family from Tamworth. (Those are just the highlights, there was more then that.)  Yes, it's a lot of money to spend on a trip for one person . It was around 5,000 dollars. But you have to understand, all your meals and accommodations and transportation are taken care of. I had over 9 flights within Australia alone. So if you add it all up it's not bad for 18 days to see the highlights of a rather large country.

My family doesn't make much money so I busted my butt with fundraisers and sponsors to make up the cash. People to people will give you fundraiser information to help with that as well. It certainly is a lot of work.

I'm not going to say all the trips that people to people offers are worth it. But I wouldn't trade those memories that I have for anything.  The family I stayed with those last few days is always on my mind and they definitely made a lasting impression on me.  It really all up to you and if you want it bad enough.

I wanted it bad enough. I wanted to get away from my family and be somewhere else for a change. I'm glad I put in the work, because as I said, I have memories now I wouldn't trade for anything. I came back a more confident person. So even my family was  pleased. I guess being thrown into a pack of 30 strangers and then forming a tight knit group does that to people.

It's the only trip I've ever taken. But it was the only one I ever needed.

Heck, I'm still putting the scrapbook I'm making for this trip together. Too bad I couldn't sneak away with a Koala.  It's all up to you.