A President's Vision
President Eisenhower recognized that the surest way to break cycles of fear and misunderstanding was for people to understand one another. He knew that for this to be effective, it must come not through governments, but through the hearts of people yearning for dignity, freedom and peace. Only through the direct exchange of ideas among people of different countries and diverse cultures, can the world truly change.
History and Achievements
Where We've Been
History
President Eisenhower defined the People to People International vision in 1961. It was incorporated in Kansas City, Missouri and moved its operations there in October of that year. People to People International Student Travel Programs brought its first student group to Europe in 1972, after a send-off from Robert Kennedy. In years ahead, students visited China (1976), met Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev in Russia (1987), and witnessed the fall of the Berlin Wall (1989). In 2005 People to People International became the first student travel organization to go to all seven continents, and in 2013 hosted Chinese students during the Presidential Inauguration.
Looking Forward
Connecting Students to the World
In 2015, long established businesses ECE Travel and PDM Tourism Group formed a new partnership to create ECE International Group Ltd, and proudly became the licensed travel provider for People to People International Student Travel Programs.
Queen’s Award for Enterprise
ECE is an industry-winning UK organization, having achieved the coveted Queen’s Award. The Queen’s Award for Enterprise is a highly prestigious award for outstanding achievement by UK businesses in the categories of innovation, international trade, and sustainable development. The Queen’s Awards are announced annually and reward only the highest levels of excellence demonstrated in each category.
A Message from PTPI's President
"My granddad realized that world peace had to come from the soul of human nature and that governments could not dictate the human heart, only reflect it."
Mary Eisenhower
President , People to People International
Meet Some of the Team
We're Here For You
Mike Clark
Chairman
Robin Deisenhammer
CEO
Jeff Rahilly
President
Britt Russell
Director of Sales and Marketing
Maryjane Lomsak
Group Programs Manager
Tamsin Trail
Director of Student Experience
Judy Hassack
Group Programs Manager
Gabby Guerra
Student Success Advisor
Ryan Nickerson
Student Success Advisor
Kristen Kennefick
Student Success Advisor
Elizabeth Searls
Student Success Advisor
Join a Student Travel Delegation
Students have two ways to travel on a People to People International Student Travel Program:
National Delegations are for students coming from all over the United States, chaperoned by educators carefully selected by People to People. Joining a National Delegation is a great way to meet students from all over the country.
Local Delegations are for students from the same geographic area, chaperoned by educators from that area too. The educators select the programs for their local delegation, so every program may not be offered in your area.