european travel appetizer - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

wannatravel · 08-10-2004, 01:35 PM

Hey Tpunkers (newbie here)...I recently got invited to a Student Ambassadors program. Its a 20 day visit to Europe (itenerary below) I was wondering if anyone here had done this before with their high school? What do you travel pros think? It this a good European appetizer? I want to travel after HS or college but not sure if the life is for me. Maybe this trip could help me get an idea. I am going to be 16 at the time of the trip (June or July 2005) What do you think?

The Adventure at a Glance:

England
See the dazzling crown jewels at the historic Tower of London
Dine at the Hard Rock Café
Enjoy a theater performance in London’s famous West End district
Learn about the government of England during an official briefing with a member of Parliament
Visit Buckingham Palace and Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre
Live with a host family to learn about everyday life in England
View the ancient and mysterious monument of Stonehenge

France
See the beaches of Normandy and pause for reflection at the U.S. War Cemetery
Explore Paris with a stroll down the Champs-Elysees, the city’s renowned shopping district and the final stretch of the Tour de France
Enjoy a magnificent view of Paris from the Eiffel Tower
Come face to face with the “Mona Lisa” at the Louvre
Cruise the Seine and explore the Notre Dame Cathedral

Belgium
Wander along medieval bridges and canals in the charming city of Bruges
Take a horse-and-carriage ride through the city and meet a chocolate maker
Visit Ypres and Flanders Field to learn about the history of World War I

The Netherlands
See the International Court of Justice at The Hague
Cruise the canals of Amsterdam and step inside the Anne Frank House
Ride bicycles past windmills and taste the famous cheeses of Edam

Germany
Pass medieval castles on a river cruise through the Rhine River Valley
Hike and bicycle through the historic and enchanting Black Forest

Switzerland
Ascend the famous Schilthorn Mountain by cable car
Take in the beauty of mountain lakes and the medieval skylines of Lucerne
Learn about the art of jewelry and watch making

What do you all think??? Thanks

**space virgin** · 08-10-2004, 02:17 PM

Take that opportunity and run with it, and don't look back!! Seriously, you won't regret it! Even if you get bored of the people you're with, you'll be going to such amazing places that it won't matter at all. It sounds like a great opportunity, especially if you're still in high school. Is it going to cost a fortune? I would have jumped at the chance to do something like that when I was in high school.

one caveat: it will probably set you up for a lifetime of travel lust, so be prepared!

wannatravel · 08-10-2004, 02:47 PM

I'm not quite sure what the cost is. The meeting is September 14th (I'm couting down the days

) And I have always had travel lust...when I was really little I used to look at the roap map and dream about the different places. Before I was 9 I could read a roadmap and I navigated the family trips. No mistakes lol. I love to see new places. I just realized I had travel lust a short while ago lol. It was always in me.

**tumblezweedz** · 08-25-2004, 11:06 AM

DO IT! Hope you've been saving up already, it sounds awesome, and an organized trip is definitely the way to go while you're still in school. It'll give you the confidence to go on your own once you've graduated, and you can spend time in other places, having already seen some of the "must-see's" on this trip.

**blinkchick2134** · 08-25-2004, 05:38 PM

Sorry for the delay, I though this topic was about food. I was on a Student Ambassador trip in 2003. Best time ever. It's the reason I am who I am, seriously! I'm guessing they haven't mentioned the price to ya yet, seeing how I found out at the info meeting. It's appx. $4,900. I was on the Cultures of Europe tour, France, Spain, Switzerland, and Germany.

Beg your parents and do whatever it is to get on this trip. As for being 16, don't worry, the youngest in our group was 15. The only thing that didn't work for him was getting into this club when we were at our homestays. Also stay away from pot on the trip. The SA people are very touchy about it. Trust me go for it!

Any questions will happily be answered. If you parents are questioning the realiablity of the SA people then tell her I said they are the best. My mom was so scared about me leaving (it was when we first invaded Iraq) but when I got over there I loved every second. I'm planning of doing a three-month stay over there next summer and I know SA is the only reason I'm so confident in handling myself over there.

Anyway, my email is blinkchick2134@yahoo.com or AIM at Thaliazmuse if you don't feel like waiting for me to answer a question.

**U2fan** · 08-25-2004, 07:18 PM

welcome! the trip sounds awesome and seeing as how you're younger it is probably a little too early to take off by yourself so go for it. I must say though, Amber, that is damn expensive! I'm sure you stay in nice places and definitely have things better than at hostels and what not, but I just spent two months in Europe for only $2000, well plus airfare so more like $2700 total but still......

**blinkchick2134** · 08-25-2004, 07:23 PM

LOL! Yea we stayed at 4 and 5 star hotels the whole time. Ate huge three course meals and everything was paid for. For a 1st trip it was worth it. I would of been lost if I didn't do that first. It's a lot easier to naviagate all the big tourist sites with a group. We took about 5 minutes to get into the Louve and by-passed the huge line at the Effiel Tower. Plus a cruise on the Siene and ride up a glacier in Switzerland was so worth it. I'm just glad I've already been to all the major attractions so now on my next trip I can just hit new places and skip all the traffic.

wannatravel · 09-29-2004, 11:37 AM

Quote:

My mom was so scared about me leaving (it was when we first invaded Iraq)

My mom too. She's afriad someone will kidnap me and behead me. My dad is too but not as much as my mom. She says I'm too young. It really disappoints me that I can't go on this because after this school year I will have spent two years studying European history. My family isn't rich but coming up with the money wouldn't be too much of a problem but its still an issue. Hopefully I will be able to persuade my mom to let me go on this. My dad wants me to go because he wants to encourage my interest in Europe.

Does anyone know of a similar, cheaper program? Even if its like a 4 week language school for example.

I want to travel so bad.

**JiveTurkey** · 09-29-2004, 12:22 PM

It sounds cool to me.... I say just do it....

**blinkchick2134** · 10-01-2004, 03:39 PM

Here's some stuff I looked up for ya:

www.crossculturalsolutions.org - - I was considering going with them first, before I heard of P2P. They seem legit and volunteering overseas looks nicer than an Ambassador trip. They go to Brazil, China, Costa Rica, Ghana, Guatemala, India, Peru, Russia, Tanzania, and Thailand. Sorry no Europe!
Prices: 2 weeks - 2279, 3 weeks - $2539, 4 weeks - $2798, 5 weeks - $3058, etc up to 12 weeks. BUT they do not include airfare.

http://www.volunteerabroad.com/ - - searched 'youth volunteer abroad' and this was the 1st site up. If you don't like the site check out their links at the bottom of their pages...interesting.

Hope that helps. If your parents are still iffy about P2P and you decide to go let me know and I'll PM you my number and they can ask me all about the program.

wannatravel · 10-04-2004, 06:18 PM

Quote:

They go to Brazil, China, Costa Rica, Ghana, Guatemala, India, Peru, Russia, Tanzania, and Thailand.Sorry no Europe!

Russia is fine. Its actually my preferance. I especially want to go to St. Petersburg but any part is fine. I'll check out the lniks. Thanks blinkchick

wannatravel · 10-04-2004, 06:21 PM

Uh oh also forgot to add. The deadline for P2P was October 2nd. I'm not giving up on a trip this year though.

**blinkchick2134** · 10-05-2004, 12:49 PM

Don't may too much attention to that deadline. Ten or so people dropped out of my trip so if your interested in it still just give them a call...I doubt they will turn down another 5k.