Sightseers
A World of Experiences
Student Ambassadors “get wise” about some very interesting places
by Randy Karr

For 50 years, People to People Student Ambassadors have experienced the world by traveling to dozens of countries, located on six continents. On these journeys of discovery, ambassadors acquire a profound understanding of our world’s culture, politics, and history.

Traveling as an ambassador is a student-tourist experience. As students, ambassadors are actively involved in a variety of educational, cultural and environmental programs. In New Zealand, for example, ambassadors experience the culture of the country’s indigenous people during an overnight stay in a Maori village. In Australia, ambassadors are taught traditional Aboriginal music and dancing, and learn to throw a boomerang. In Fiji, ambassadors take part in the ancient rituals and dances of the Fijian culture and snorkel colorful, coral reefs. In Austria, ambassadors prepare authentic Austrian food with expert chefs as teachers. In Japan, ambassadors witness reminders of WWII in Hiroshima. In Wales, ambassadors attend Welsh languages class. In Ireland, ambassadors learn to make Irish soda bread. In Scotland, ambassadors are introduced to Scottish dancing, clothing, music and weaponry.

As tourist, student ambassadors see some of the world’s most famous travel destinations. In France, these destinations might include the Eiffel Tower and the WWII Normandy beaches; in Australia, the Sydney Opera House and the Great Barrier Reef; in China, the Great Wall and the Forbidden City; in Italy, the Roman Coliseum and the Leaning Tower of Pisa; in Greece, the Parthenon and the original Olympic site in Olympia; in New Zealand, the Antarctic Center and the Rotorua geyser basins; and, in Spain, Barcelona’s Olympic Village and Madrid’s Prado Museum.

Ambassadors, traveling as part of a People to People Student Ambassador program, return home eager to share their newly acquired perspective of the world.

Chantel, from Emmett, Michigan, describes it this way. “I found the trip to be an incredibly rewarding experience. My experiences in the United Kingdom and Ireland gave me an entirely new level of understanding about other peoples, cultures and countries. As my journey of discovery ended, I left with many new friends and all the great memories we made together.”

For Carrie, from Wyandotte, Michigan, being an ambassador was a life changing experience. “As a result of traveling with People to People, I acquired a broader understanding of what it means to live in a diverse world community.”

Being a student ambassador gave Kristen, from Shelby Township, an opportunity to learn about other cultures. “When I returned home, I felt like a completely different person with a broader understanding of the people and culture of Ireland and Great Britain. I especially enjoyed spending the day on an Irish farm, because I really got a feel for the Irish way of life.”

Carrie, Chantel and Kristen, like other ambassadors, left America to discover something about other world cultures, politics, and histories. They returned home having also discovered something about themselves.

For more information about People to People Student Ambassador Programs, visit www.studentambassadors.org.

Copyright © 2005 Randy Karr