Chatterbox: Down to Earth

Aw, so many good memories of the Chatterbox!:) I probably don't know anyone here anymore except for the Admin! How are you, Admin? You guys are the greatest. :) Miss talking with you!

Anyway, I wanted to ask the current Chatterboxers if any of them have heard of/travelled with/or know someone who has travelled with People To People Student Ambassador Program? It's an organization that takes middle and high school students on trips to other countries to represent the U.S. and learn about other cultures. I got invited a little bit ago to go to some meetings with them for information about being an ambassador with them on a trip next summer to Italy and Greece (well, it's actually the Italy, Sicily, and Greece trip, but I don't say that, since Sicily techincally is Italy..). I went to my interview with them yesterday, and a few hours ago I got a phone call confirming that I can travel with them! I'm going to Europe! :D One of my best friends is actually going too; and that's especially great because I haven't been as close with her recently, so this will definitely help our friendship haha. There's going to be about 40 high schoolers going on this trip! SO MUCH FUN.

I'm studying the history of the church all year in school, so this trip will actually be perfect. I'm going to actually go to the places that I'm reading about in my history books! Like, until I got the invitation in September, I've ALWAYS hated anything related to Rome. But suddenly, with the possibility of going there, it's become so much more interesting, knowing that these aren't just old buildings and places, but things I'll actually get to see. I have a weird obsession with Roman history now.

And OH MY GOSH, this will be amazing for photography too! I absolutely cannot wait to take pictures.  

Okay now that I've rambled on and on about how excited I am, I was wondering if anyone's had any experience with People To People before? I feel like people on this website probably have.

Hi, Paige/Kenzie! It's so good to hear from you! We think about you and other early Chatterboxers often and wonder what you're up to. I've heard of People to People, but don't know any specifics about it. However, I had the good fortune to live in Italy for almost three years and I loved it! We lived in Arco Felice (the Happy Arch), a small coastal town just south of Naples and had time to travel all over the mainland, but not to Sicily. We lived within walking distance of Lago Averno, the mythological entrance to the Underworld. The old things in Rome (and Pompei, etc.) are so much older than anything in the US/New World. The countryside and little villages are beautiful, and the people were so friendly and happy. And the food . . . REAL Italian pizza made with fresh tomatoes and fresh, juicy mozarella. Fresh bread and rolls from the bakery. And we'd get great doughnuts each Sunday morning after church (due grafe, per piacere). I'm so happy for you!

Please remember to tell us about it when you get back!

Admin