Volunteer to lead a delegation of students on an adventure, and travel the world while helping to enrich the lives of young people.
Become a part of People to People Student Ambassador Programs, the nation’s leading overseas educational experience for students in grades 5-12.
Founded in 1956 by President Eisenhower as part of the U.S. State Department, People to People is a prestigious worldwide effort to bring citizens together and work toward world peace. In 1961 People to People International became a private foundation dedicated to the mission of international peace and understanding.
Depending on grade level, leading a Student Ambassador delegation includes:
- Continuing education credits for teacher travel
- "STAR" incentive program: earn merchandise or academic credit
- All program expenses paid for teachers
- Fully planned curriculum for group preparation
- Annual training programs
- Overseas support by on-site delegation managers
- Family home stays or school visits
- Exciting interactive cultural learning
- Visits with public officials or international organizations
- 1:10 nationwide average leader-to-student ratio
- 24-hour, on-call staff in the U.S. during travel
Leadership Agreement
It is agreed that the leader will adhere to and enforce the travel and personal conduct policies established by the program office as outlined in program materials, including the Leader Guide and Leader Travel Handbook. Leaders will receive extensive training on these resources prior to travel so as to be prepared to adhere to our standards. The responsibilities of the leader may be generally classified as follows:
- Promote and represent People to People Ambassador Programs
- Attend leader training sessions offered in your area
- Successfully
complete online training requirements
- Develop and grow as an educator
- Complete CPR training
- Attend and facilitate orientation meetings as required by the area director
- Participate in the entire travel program to fully gain benefits that can be taken back to your classroom
- Accept any available travel assignment willingly
- Comply with program office guidelines
- Put your pre-travel education and experience into practice by:
- Interviewing program applicants and evaluating their fitness for participation
- Responsibly leading and mentoring participants
- Assuming responsibility for the safety and well-being of students
- Demonstrating diplomacy; helping to resolve travel issues
- Communicating with other leaders, coaches and/or travel managers, and program office staff
- Instructing and aiding participants as they earn academic credit
- Evaluating participants on the completion of their academic credit
- Supervising and appropriately disciplining student participants
The leader may recommend additional leaders, or the selection, transfer, or withdrawal of student participants, but the program office specifically reserves final authority in all matters concerning program participation.
The leader has no authority to incur financial liability without prior authorization, or to alter in any way the terms and conditions of the program published in the student, athlete or conference application, including such things as payment schedules, withdrawal requirements, deadlines, etc.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the program office reserves the right to remove a leader either prior to or during the program for any reason whatsoever, with or without cause, without any liability or obligation to the leader.
During Travel, Leaders Agree to:
- Be a conscientious and compassionate leader
- Communicate daily with other leaders and delegation managers to ensure a successful program
- Lead students or athletes on flights, group transportation and all activities
- Assume responsibility for the safety and well-being of delegates
- Be available to stay longer or return early if circumstances require
- Work with local staff and airlines to document and resolve lost luggage issues on behalf of students
- Address and document medical/health-related issues, including securing treatment if needed and counseling homesickness
- Communicating to all appropriate parties, including the program office and parents in the event of illness, injury, disciplinary incident, etc.
- Document disciplinary incidents and impose appropriate penalties as laid out in the travel handbook
- Perform room checks and monitor curfews
- Counsel and support students throughout travel
Student Ambassador Programs Timeline:
Once processed by the program office, applications are forwarded to our area directors who are responsible for leaders in specific regions across the United States. Our area directors interview applicants and recommend leaders for assignment as enrollments allow. The majority of leaders on this program are interviewed and placed between the months of August and December, although applications are accepted throughout the year.
Please visit www.studentambassadors.org for additional information.
APPLY ONLINE
If you have any further questions, please contact our program office at 800.669.7882.
