People to People International

[Friendo]

my 16 yr old daughter has been invited to participate in this next summer-travel & study in Italy, Sicily & Greece. anybody got any experience with this Exchange Organization? Info mtg coming up soon, but figured someone here might share some insight-thanks

[ElGringo]

Had the chance to go in H.S., after reading this, wish I would have.

[okiedokieokoye]

I did this same program when I was 16. Our group went to England, Germany, Denmark, Belgium and France. I can say, if you can afford it, be sure to send her. It was such a great experience in my life. Of course it wasn't all perfect, but the moments that weren't make me smile now. I got so incredibly close with the group during our three weeks.

[JohninGpt]

Originally Posted by JD10367

16 year old American girl + hornball ass-pinching Italian men? She'd probably be safer walking through South Central L.A. on a Saturday night wearing a bikini made out of hundred-dollar bills.

Greece, she's probably safe in.

I lives in Italy for two years (LaMaddalena, Sardinia) and never ever had a problem with the locals. People there were generally very respectful, and VERY protective of children, wether Italian or American.

[JD10367]

Originally Posted by JohninGpt

I lives in Italy for two years (LaMaddalena, Sardinia) and never ever had a problem with the locals. People there were generally very respectful, and VERY protective of children, wether Italian or American.

I was mostly joking with my comment but, now that you've brought it up, by the "John" in your name I assume you're a guy. And 16 isn't necessarily very child-like. Just sayin'. Italian men have an ass-pinching stereotype for a reason.

But, seriously, I'm sure she'll be fine as long as she's in a group of people. And, obviously, uses her head. Don't go walking around downtown Rome on a Saturday night alone, especially if she looks older than her age and is attractive. It's not brain surgery.

On the larger topic of traveling abroad, it really depends on the maturity level of the person being discussed. I'm sure there are plenty of 16-year-olds, both male and female, who could be trusted to undertake such a trip and manage both to learn and experience new things while also managing not to have wild sex and drug parties. On the other hand, there are also some 21-year-old men and women I wouldn't trust with two bucks if I sent them to the corner store for milk, LOL. So you really have to take what you know about your kid and weigh that heavily.

I have no knowledge of that exchange group, but I'd continue looking into it. I'm sure there are plenty of well-accredited ones with well laid-out plans. And I'm sure there are others which are basically comprised of "stick the kid on a plane and send them to live with some weird-ass family that you hope doesn't chain them in the basement". Research is key, but you're obviously doing that.

We went to Italy last summer on a cruise, and had a good time. The wife climbed the Leaning Tower of Pisa, I wandered the streets of Florence, we went through Pompeii and climbed Mount Vesuvius, we walked through the Roman Forum and Coliseum and went into the Vatican and St. Peter's Basilica (which, BTW, is f**king amazing). There's plenty to learn and see. Would I suggest wandering around some of the larger, more dangerous cities like Naples and Palermo? Probably not.

It's definitely a learning experience to go to Europe. Seeing the different cultures, using different money, wandering streets that are a thousand years older than those in America, trying not to get run over by crazy drivers in tiny cars, LOL... And the gelato alone is worth the trip.

Okay, that was enough seriousness from me for about a week. Off to another thread to talk about breasts or something.

[JohninGpt]

Originally Posted by JD10367

I was mostly joking with my comment but, now that you've brought it up, by the "John" in your name I assume you're a guy. And 16 isn't necessarily very child-like. Just sayin'. Italian men have an ass-pinching stereotype for a reason.

So you're doubting my asses pinchability?
Actually I do have a wife and a daughter, plus I had several young enlisted females in my charge. We really didn't have problems. Of course I was in LaMaddalen, not Rome or Naples.

[Friendo]

it's funny...some friends of mine went nearly 25 years ago & the ass-pinching is for real--Kim in fact carried a walking stick with her, and smacked some fugger on the shins with it on a bus one time-------her bf was standing right beside her at the time.