Trip Of A Lifetime!!

The most amazing thing ever...JUST HAPPEND TO ME!! I got a letter from People to People,(an organization that takes students exotic places), and you have to get recommended for it by 3 teachers! Here is what the letter said:

Dear Parents Of Acdog:

Acdog is invited to travel and study in England,France,Belgium, and the Netherlands in the summer of 2010. Join high school students from the ______ area who are eligible for People to People, an educational exploration program founded by Dwight D. Eisenhower. All students must be invited annually, so we are pleased to offer Acdog this one-time-oppurtunity to travel on a 2010 program.

Acdog will stretch beyond the ordinary travel experience through unique access to people and places available only to Student Ambassadors. Participation benefits students by opening their eyes to the world, sets them appart on college applications and in consideration for other honors, and return a child who is more confident and eager to continue learning.Acdog will:

Discover and enjoy the excitement of traveling abroad with new friends and the eye-opening new perspectives Student Ambassadors experience
Develop new skills through activities designed to stretch students outside their comfort zone in safe and rewarding ways
Serve a greater purpose through community service projects designed to help the enviorment or assist a local community
Learn about the world through hands-on interactions with local citizens or with government officials and experts in many fields

The rest goes on to when and where the information meeting will be, (which I already reserved seats for). The trip will cost anywhere from $5,000-$7,000. AND GET THIS: Theres a part on the People To People website where you can check how many people from your high school are going,(most schools are only one), and when I got to mine, IT WAS TOO!! I'm the only student to be exclusively hand-picked by three teachers to go on this life changing experience. The best part is...my family has already told me I'm DEFINATELY going!!!! This is the dawn of a new age for me...and I plan to handle the responsibility of supporting my school with pride and dignity. France, England, Belgium, and the Netherlands, HERE I COME!!!!!!

I used to get those things a lot in 8th-9th grade, I just threw them away though. lol

Congrats on deciding to go nonetheless.

Sir Gamealot wrote:I used to get those things a lot in 8th-9th grade, I just threw them away though. lol

Congrats on deciding to go nonetheless.

Why didn't you go?

i used to get those too.

anywho, watch out for the albanian mafia, unless you wish to be the little girl.

The albanian mofia dont exist!

i take it you wish to be the little girl then?

No, he's right the albanian mafia doesn't exist. But albanian terrorists do.

But they're not in the places I'm going.

OM MY GOSH!!

So many updates since I last updated in this thread!!! WELL, I got accepted to the program!!

The trip is $5,999.

I've had five months to far to raise money...and so far I've made...

Spoiler:

SOOOOO, I haven't known hardly ANYTHING about where and what I was going to be doing in Europe...until now!! They said they'd post the itenerary around 60 days till departure, and that they did!!!

CHECK IT OUT!!!:

2010 SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES
BAH: Experience Europe
BAH 07/06-4
July 6 2010 - July 19 2010
Tuesday July 6 2010
Depart for Amsterdam, Holland
• Meet your delegation and board your flight for Holland.
Wednesday July 7 2010
AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND

• Welcome to Holland! Introductions to your People to People delegation manager
and motor coach driver mark the commencement of your program.
• Today you will visit a typical farm and meet Katrina and Kees Jan, who will teach
you how to make clogs and reveal the secrets of Dutch cheese. You will even be
able to try some of their speciality cheese. One of the varieties is made with
chillies, pure dynamite!
• Experience the Dutch lifestyle up-close with a bike ride along the dikes. Learn
how the Dutch have used windmills to pump water off the land.

Thursday July 8 2010
AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND• Walk through Amsterdam crossing streets and canals to reach the flower market
alongside one of the city’s busiest canals. Be amazed by the smells and colors in
this busy daily market.
• The canal boats are the best way to explore Amsterdam. Take in the views on a
canal cruise and learn about the city from the water.
• Learn about a group of eight people forced into hiding and their story portrayed
through the diary of Anne Frank. See Anne Frank’s House and read how she and
her family hid from the Nazis for years during WWII.
• Enjoy a visit to a diamond factory to see how rough stone is cut and shaped into
beautiful jewelry.

Friday July 9 2010
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM
• Learn the secrets behind Belgium’s famous chocolate when you call upon a local
chocolatier for an educational briefing.
• Discover the City of Brussels including a visit to the Grand Place and see the
Manneken Pis, symbol of the city of Brussels.

Saturday July 10 2010
PARIS, FRANCE
• Today you will enjoy a petit French lesson. Très bien, non?
• During our journey we will stop at Compiegne. During World War I, Mariscal
Foch, the famous commander of the French troops, travelled across the
battlefield in a train wagon that he also used as his office. At the end of the war
this was the place where the Armistice was signed. In WW II when the French
had to surrender to the Germans, they used the same carriage at the same spot
in Compiegne to have the French sign their surrender.
• Just outside of Paris, explore the magnificent Château de Versailles, built during
the reign of Louis XIV, the Sun King. Walk the bejeweled Hall of Mirrors, regard
the private chambers of France’s flamboyant Sun King and wander the vast
formal gardens.

Sunday July 11 2010
PARIS, FRANCE
• Discover one of the most important art collections in the world at the famous
Musée du Louvre. The museum is so large it would take at least three weeks to
see all the wonderful treasures inside. Therefore, you will focus on the principal
parts of the museum including Leonardo’s masterpiece, the Mona Lisa.
• Become acquainted with France’s beautiful and historic capital with a guided
orientation of Paris. See famous landmarks such as the "Place de la Concorde"
the "Champs Elysees" and of course take a picture of the Iron lady of Paris "La
Tour Eiffel."
• In the heart of Paris you will discover the most prestigious monuments of the city,
including the Notre-Dame cathedral. Incredibly, construction of this fantastic
building began in 1163 and took two centuries to complete!
Monday July 12 2010
PARIS, FRANCE
• The most dazzling view of Paris is from the top of the Eiffel Tower. It was
designed by Gustave Eiffel and built for the 1889 World’s Fair to commemorate
the centennial of the revolution. At 899 feet, it stood as the world’s tallest building
until New York’s Empire State Building was completed in 1931.
• Next stop is the Arc de Triomphe, the world’s first organized roundabout and
Napoleon’s homage to the armies and himself. The avenue of the
Champs-Elysées will be just in front of you.
• Discover your artistic side while strolling around the famous artists’ quarter of
Montmartre. Remember to bring your camera as you climb a series of steps to Le
Sacré-Coeur for one of the most impressive views of Paris.

Tuesday July 13 2010
PARIS, FRANCE
Wednesday July 14 2010
OVERNIGHT FERRY TO ENGLAND
You will need to pack a lightweight overnight bag for this evening as you will not
have access to your main luggage. Please also ensure you pack any essential
items such as medication in your overnight bag.
• Your exploration begins at Le Mémorial de Caen Museum. The museum
highlights the effects of D-Day, but also examines how to learn from the past to
achieve a peaceful future. The Museum describes Hitler’s rise to power, the dark
years of uncertainty and finally, its emergence with a vision of peace.
• Travel to the coast of Normandy, the location of the D-Day Landings. True to
form, part of the movie “Saving Private Ryan” was filmed here. Finally, spend a
reflective moment at the American Cemetery overlooking Omaha Beach. The
cemetery contains 9,387 perfectly aligned white markers representing the
American soldiers who died during the landings and ensuing confrontations.
• Bid a fond farewell to France as you board the overnight ferry to England. Sleep
well to the gentle current of the English Channel.

Thursday July 15 2010
WARWICK, ENGLAND• The mysterious, prehistoric site of Stonehenge dates back to 3000 BC. Scientists
and archaeologists alike are curious to know how people of the time excavated
the huge slabs of stone with only the most basic tools and transported them
many miles to construct this incredible monument.
• On arrival at Warwick Castle, you will have time to explore this magnificent,
medieval castle. In 1068, William the Conqueror fortified its site, which overlooks
the river Avon. Imagine yourself in the Middle Ages as you explore the dark and
gloomy dungeon, gruesome torture chamber and splendid armory.
• This evening you will have a unique experience in the grounds of Warwick
Castle. You will learn about medieval battle preparations, dances and rituals from
re-enactors culminating in the firing of the world's most powerful Trebuchet
(catapult).

Friday July 16 2010
LONDON, ENGLAND• Become acquainted with the beautiful university city of Oxford, whose name
describes a good spot for crossing the river (a ford for oxen.) England’s oldest
university was founded here in 1167. The architectural beauty of Oxford’s many
colleges creates a splendid skyline of “dreaming spires.”
• Try the art of punting – propelling a flat bottom boat with a pole along the River
Cherwell. Drift quietly through the unspoilt Christ Church meadows, where Lewis
Carroll wrote Alice Through The Looking Glass.

Saturday July 17 2010
LONDON, ENGLAND• Discover London with an expert on this wonderful city!
• This morning you will make your way to Buckingham Palace to view the precisely
choreographed Changing of the Guard.
• Join Henry VIII for a Medieval Banquet lunch.
• Explore the must-see Tower of London. As a prison, it confined such famous
prisoners as Elizabeth I and Sir Walter Raleigh.
• Meet the Yeoman Warders “Beefeaters,” who guard the tower and are caretakers
of the mysterious ravens. Legend has it that if the ravens ever leave the Tower,
the Kingdom will fall!
• Cruise the River Thames taking in many of the city’s famous sights.
• This evening, experience London’s well-known theater scene by attending a
performance of one of London’s most popular shows.

Sunday July 18 2010
LONDON, ENGLAND
Remember you are meeting an official today, so plan on dressing up.
• Meeting with a current or former Member of Parliament. This unique opportunity
explores the British Constitution and discusses the respective roles of the House
of Commons, the House of Lords and the Monarch, a true honor for Student
Ambassadors.
• Next visit The Imperial War Museum and discover how the Second World War
has been pivotal in shaping our culture and society over the last 60 years.
• Ride on the London Eye, the largest Ferris wheel in the world. This astonishing
443 ft high ride provides a fantastic panoramic view of the city.
• You may have time to stroll through Covent Garden, with its shops and cafes.
Residents and street entertainers of every vocation throng through the Piazza.

Monday July 19 2010
DEPART UK
• Pack up your suitcase for the last time and board the coach for the airport.
Remember to complete your program evaluations and exchange friendship cards
with your fellow Ambassadors!

59 days 'till departure! WOO!!!!

Ooooh! I bet you're excited! I would be.

Nice, ac. Sounds like you'll be doing some interesting stuff.

DANG! I'M SO JEALOUS OF YOU RIGHT NOW, SERIOUSLY! While you're there, I'll be doing tests, at church and at Alton Castle for 3 days straight, sleeping in some dusty old room where there are no duvets on the beds. Lovely.

o.o holy... ac, you are darn lucky. xP

Yea, he is. lol

Ok guys. This is my last night on TRT before my trip. I'll be gone for AT LEAST two weeks, (July 6-19), of course. But then my dad may want to spend a week or two with me after. But I KNOW I'll be back on TRT by the 28th. I'll miss you guys. ;(

Wish me luck everyone, and you can follow what i'm doing each day on the itenerary up there.

Love you guys, i'll show you pics when i get back!!!

When I went on my D.C. trip, one of my friends was going to one of those, too, except it was to Australia. Anyway, congrats, and have fun!

Have fun and be safe, ac......don't offend anyone x.x

Have fun, can't wait to see some of the pics.

Have fun in Holland, Ac, and remember to mail us some cheese, and for the clogs, I take size 5

Also, at Warwick Castle, visit the gift shop, there's some great stuff there. Warwick is sooo close to where I live and I've been to Warwick Castle loads of times. It's great fun!