Summary Conference Call #1

People to People International is celebrating over 50 years of world service. It was started by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956 as a way to bring the citizens of different countries together. People to People has always had a clear mission: to bring American students closer to people and cultures around the world.

As Sports Ambassadors you represent your school, community, state and country while traveling abroad. You will learn about other cultures, experience unique activities and meet local citizens. Sports Ambassadors come in all shapes and sizes but share many common traits: a curious and adventurous spirit, an open mind and heart, the desire to learn about other cultures and people, and the belief in President Eisenhower’s vision that each person can make a difference to achieve “peace through understanding.”

Sports Ambassadors in grades 9-12 are automatically enrolled in the tuition-paid courses called “Sports Ambassador Physical Fitness” and “Ambassadorial Studies.” Each of these classes is equivalent to 60 classroom hours or one trimester of credit. Athletes are evaluated by leaders throughout their program regarding their participation as well as Ambassadorial skills and sportsmanship.

There is also optional university credit available for Sports Ambassadors in grades 7-12. If you are in grades 7-12 you are eligible to earn university credit for courses administered directly by Eastern Washington University (EWU). If you are interested in this option, you can visit EWU’s website for the enrollment information and course offerings at ec.ewu.edu.

Your individual school districts set their own guidelines when accepting credit hours from other schools so I encourage you to meet with your academic advisors prior to travelling on the program in order to discuss adding the credit to your high school transcript.

The basic insurance plan than covers illness of injury while overseas is included in the program tuition. This plan reimburses athletes for any medical expenses incurred that exceed the amount paid by his or her personal insurance policy. Full details of this insurance coverage will be sent out to all athletes.

Athletes also have optional coverage that is automatically included on each athlete’s account. The Delegate Protection Plan brochure includes information on the optional $295 insurance. The optional insurance covers things like trip interruption, lost luggage, and trip delay as well as additional medical protection. A good example of how useful this can be is if an athlete got injured or sick right before travel and their doctor said they couldn’t travel, their parent could submit a claim to Berkley Care and be refunded the cost of their tuition less the $295 insurance premium. All athletes are automatically enrolled in this plan but may decline participation by notifying the Program Office up to 120 days prior to departure.

If you have any specific questions regarding the insurance plans, policies or coverage you can contact Berkley Care, who is the People to People insurance and claims administrator, and ask for the People to People Delegate Protection Plan Help Line at 800-332-7374 or 516-343-2720 during the hours 8am – 10pm EST, Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm EST on Saturday.

An import matter to direct your attention to next is making sure you are ready to travel. Athletes, together with your parents please review the passport and visa information on either the Locker Room website or in your Game Plan book. Your Game Plan book is in the document download section of the Locker Room website.

If you haven’t applied yet, you can get the forms you need to apply for a passport at travel.state.gov and at some local post offices or public libraries. If you need help finding the nearest passport agency you use the website to help locate the best option. It is important to start this process as soon as possible as it can take time.

I would like to highlight that there is a different process for athletes traveling on a non-U.S. passport. Any athletes who are traveling on Non. U.S. Passports are responsible to arranging any visa they might require for entry. If you are a non-U.S. Passport holder and you aren’t sure how to get started please note down the e-mail address for the Foreign Documentation Special at People to People, Miranda Hamilton, at : Miranda.hamilton@peopletopeople.com.

The last item I would like to cover with you tonight is your Health Form. Health Forms are located either online in the Locker Room or in your application materials. I need you all to fax or submit your health forms to the program office by March 1.

Some items of note on the Health Form are that all athlete health conditions must be indicated on the form. Full disclosure on your Health Form is important and designed to ensure every athletes’ safety during the program, not prevent them from traveling.