Carly Exter of Aurora didn’t take this summer off from learning and experiencing new things. She took the opportunity to learn about other cultures and ways of life.
Exter was a member of the People to People program, which offers life-changing educational travel opportunities for students, athletes, educators and professionals.
This trip isn’t Exeter’s first trip in the People to People Ambassador program. She has visited Washington D.C. and Australia.
But Exeter’s dream was to visit Europe, and that dream came true when she received a letter saying she was recommended for the program.
On June 20, Exter started her 20-day voyage to England, France, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium and the Netherlands.
The group had 35 members with four teachers. While the group was in foreign countries, the members still were treated like Americans.
The group saw various sites, including the Tower of London, Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and the Anne Frank house.
In Belgium, Exter and the others visited Flanders Field Museum, which is a memorial to World War I and II soldiers. In Holland, the members rode bikes through a windmill park and visited a clog- and cheese-making factory.
The program allowed the students to branch out during the visit to Germany. Each student had a homestay for three days with a German family.
Exter said the families knew English and showed the students around town. Exter said she bowled, played ping pong and watched movies.
Exter did visit the local school where the entire class spoke only German. She said the school day did vary from that of American schools, but it was interesting to see what they did during the day.
While traveling, People to People also participates in service projects. Exter said the group cleaned up weeds in the Black Forest, which is in southwestern Germany.
Exter said the trip was a lot of fun, and it was different being on a trip alone so far from home. But that’s not going to stop her from going again if she gets the chance.
“I’d go again in a heartbeat,” Exter said.
She said this “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity allows students to learn something without being in a summer school setting.
According to the organization’s Web site, the People to People movement launched in 1956 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. For nearly 50 years, People to People Ambassador programs have served as People to People International’s global educational travel provider, organizing and promoting opportunities for bridging cultural and political borders through direct interaction.
Today, the program offers travels to every continent on the globe and offers programs for students, educators and professionals, including:
• Student Ambassador Programs -- international educational opportunities for students in grades five to 12
• Sports Ambassador Programs — opportunities for student athletes in grades five to 12 to train and compete internationally
• Leadership Programs -- leadership development and college preparation opportunities for students in grades five to 12
• Citizen Ambassador Programs -- Opportunities for adults in a wide range of occupations to experience personal and professional growth as they interact with other professionals around the world through seminars, humanitarian efforts and cultural activities.
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Carly Exter of Aurora didn’t take this summer off from learning and experiencing new things. She took the opportunity to learn about other cultures and ways of life.
Exter was a member of the People to People program, which offers life-changing educational travel opportunities for students, athletes, educators and professionals.
This trip isn’t Exeter’s first trip in the People to People Ambassador program. She has visited Washington D.C. and Australia.
But Exeter’s dream was to visit Europe, and that dream came true when she received a letter saying she was recommended for the program.
On June 20, Exter started her 20-day voyage to England, France, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium and the Netherlands.
The group had 35 members with four teachers. While the group was in foreign countries, the members still were treated like Americans.
The group saw various sites, including the Tower of London, Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and the Anne Frank house.
In Belgium, Exter and the others visited Flanders Field Museum, which is a memorial to World War I and II soldiers. In Holland, the members rode bikes through a windmill park and visited a clog- and cheese-making factory.
The program allowed the students to branch out during the visit to Germany. Each student had a homestay for three days with a German family.
Exter said the families knew English and showed the students around town. Exter said she bowled, played ping pong and watched movies.
Exter did visit the local school where the entire class spoke only German. She said the school day did vary from that of American schools, but it was interesting to see what they did during the day.
While traveling, People to People also participates in service projects. Exter said the group cleaned up weeds in the Black Forest, which is in southwestern Germany.
Exter said the trip was a lot of fun, and it was different being on a trip alone so far from home. But that’s not going to stop her from going again if she gets the chance.
“I’d go again in a heartbeat,” Exter said.
She said this “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity allows students to learn something without being in a summer school setting.
According to the organization’s Web site, the People to People movement launched in 1956 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. For nearly 50 years, People to People Ambassador programs have served as People to People International’s global educational travel provider, organizing and promoting opportunities for bridging cultural and political borders through direct interaction.
Today, the program offers travels to every continent on the globe and offers programs for students, educators and professionals, including:
• Student Ambassador Programs -- international educational opportunities for students in grades five to 12
• Sports Ambassador Programs — opportunities for student athletes in grades five to 12 to train and compete internationally
• Leadership Programs -- leadership development and college preparation opportunities for students in grades five to 12
• Citizen Ambassador Programs -- Opportunities for adults in a wide range of occupations to experience personal and professional growth as they interact with other professionals around the world through seminars, humanitarian efforts and cultural activities.
