PERSPECTIVE
Surprisingly, we were intrigued.� The children in the program get so many opportunities that we, as a family, might not get if we planned a family vacation.� And she would get the advantage of experienced, well-trained chaperones to ensure her safety and provide her the most rewarding trip possible.�� At the end of the meeting, we agreed with Emily that we would pursue this opportunity further, but we still had major reservations.� She was eleven years old, in 6th grade.� How could we let her go thousands of miles away, beyond our ability to reach her easily?� What if she got hurt?� What if she got sick?� How come SHE gets to hold a Koala bear before US?� We definitely had some questions to address, and needed more information.
We visited the P2P website and read everything we could get our hands and eyes on.� We spoke to one of her teachers that had served as a chaperone with P2P.� We went to therapy to resolve our "empty-nest" issues. All of this research helped set our minds to rest that she would be well taken care of.� From experience, we knew that Emily was very comfortable being away from us for extended periods--she had been to camp several years in a row for as many as nine days.� Yes, this trip was going to be sixteen days, but we were pretty sure she could handle it.� And then we looked at the cost.....
Wait a minute, Emily, you want to be away from me IN ANOTHER COUNTRY, for 16 DAYS, and you WANT ME TO PAY FOR IT??? And Wow, it was not cheap, though the cost was very good for everything that was included.� However, we just couldn't see how we could afford it, and frankly, we didn't want to hand our daughter several thousand dollars for a trip and say "Have a good time!"� So we decided that if she wanted this badly enough, she was going to help. After discussions with her, we agreed that if she came up with one half, we would pay the other. �And by golly, through amazing effort on her part (oh, don't let yourself off the hook--we worked right along side her!!!) she earned her half of the cost PLUS all of her spending money.
A part of the program that was extremely helpful was the monthly delegation meetings. Beginning in January, the entire delegation and family members, as well as the chaperones, met monthly for two hours to get to know each other, participate in group and team-building activities, and explain the expectations of the delegates as they served as Student Ambassadors. It was very important that our whole family participate. I mean, let's get serious--Just how often do you get the opportunity to make a Platypus costume out of felt and construction paper (we really did this!) Getting to know these people put our minds at rest, and helped Emily be comfortable by the time her group left for New Zealand. Most importantly, the information that we received helped Emily be prepared so that there were no glitches during her stay in other countries. We attended five meetings plus a group picnic, as well as a picture party upon their return.
Did she get homesick?� Yes--and a few midnight (for her it was daytime!) phone calls helped alleviate some of that.� �Plus we sent her a few faxes, which worked out very well!� ��Did we get child-sick?� Definitely yes! Mom was a basket case until we got the call that the group had arrived safely in New Zealand.�� It was much less stressful during her flight home.� The bottom line is that despite a few difficult moments, and a few nights of interrupted sleep, we all survived and are better people because of it.
The trip turned out to be everything we could have hoped for.� Emily made friends that she still stays in contact with.� She had the experience of a lifetime.� She learned how to set goals and achieve them.� We could not be more proud of her, and we are so pleased that P2P offers such a great program.� We are already looking at her next potential trip....China or Europe or London oh! my!