President Dwight D. Eisenhower envisioned a time where there was no hatred between different countries, a time were each country supported each other and a time where the world evolved based on the sharing of knowledge between each country, no matter how different they were.

This thought process brought about the People to People Student Ambassadors Program. He felt that this initiative would be better off consisting of the youth of today instead of having People to People International involving congressmen and leaders of the different countries.

By working together at such a young age with other students from different countries, the U.S. Student Ambassadors will help to develop camaraderie between the different countries. By being involved in activities that are “hands-on” the students will learn a great deal through arts, sports and the family life of different cultures around the world.

There is no other student travel program or family vacation that will allow the students to see what they will see and experience all that they will that will help them as they really begin their journey through life, as there is when involved in the Student Ambassador Program. Each People to People delegation consists of around 30 to 40 students.

Over the past 50 years since the organization was established, People to People has been to around 34 different countries in all of the seven different continents. It is said that each student who is invited to be a student ambassador returns home with not only more confidence, but also a better self-esteem.

What they see around the world will help them to have a better appreciation of the United States. They will also be a step ahead when it comes to college. Their experiences will help them with high school and college credit and enable them to write better essays and stand out in interviews. This experience will be life changing.

The words of Alan Raisman, a high school student who was a student ambassador explain what happens during the event. He says, “I have made long-lasting friendship through People to People. I know that wherever I travel in the world, I will always have a friend there offering me a home to stay in and food to eat. I have made friends from people of various cultures. I have seen an Israeli and Palestinian exchange e-mail addresses. I have seen the Japanese and Americans exchange kind words at the Hiroshima Peach Park.”

The costs can be a little high, but the experience gained from being a part of the People to People Student Ambassadors Program is unforgettable. There are many different ways to raise money for the cause. If you are ever invited to participate, do not miss the opportunity to be a part of President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s dream.