Fact vs. Fiction: Nomination Process and Educational Value 

More than half of the members of our diverse student base are directly nominated to our programs by teachers, educators, parents of past participants, and program alumni. Others are referred through our website or invited to apply through listing organizations like those used by colleges and universities to recruit students.

All Student Ambassadors must submit three letters of recommendation and complete a personal interview prior to acceptance. Parents often comment that this is their child's first interview experience. This opportunity for personal growth is one of many things that set People to People Ambassadors apart from others.

People to People Ambassador Programs is committed to providing the highest level of educational experience to program participants. The Washington School of World Studies is our accredited travel study and distance learning school. Qualifying students who complete course requirements can earn high school, service learning and college credits by participating in our programs. Pre-travel coursework and in-person orientation meetings are a mainstay of the Student Ambassador Program. Students must complete multiple assignments and a minimum of 12 hours of orientation exercises prior to travel.

The People to People Ambassador Programs experience is centered on providing unique access to the world's people and places. Students promote the organization's mission through school visits, home stays, and educational meetings with government officials. Our delegates have met with President Ronald Reagan, former NBC News anchor and bestselling author Tom Brokaw, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Queen Elizabeth II, Olympic champion Rafer Johnson, and environmental advocate Claes Nobel.

Each year Student Ambassadors contribute more than 100,000 hours of volunteer time around the globe. From releasing sea turtles in Greece to working with school children in Africa, our programs have a global impact. In 2007 we built an elementary school in Changjiaocum, China. A rural community approximately 1,200 miles southwest of Beijing, Changjiaocum has approximately 2,000 residents with an average monthly income of US$64. The village's students went to class in the homes of their teachers and had limited access to books and supplies. With the support of People to People Ambassador Programs and an overseas partner, a new school was erected and funding was established for supplemental teacher pay and school supplies.