Japan Update

Hello Ambassadors and families,

I am sure most of you have been wondering what is the status of our People to People Program due to the events in Japan. I think we are all seeing what effect these events have had on the people of Japan, so after much deliberation plus the advice of the United States State Department, the decision has been made to cancel all 25 delegations involving over 1000 students and families. As you know, safety is our main concern in all programs.

SO I need to know two things very quickly from each family:

1. How flexible are you on dates of travel --- rescheduling this many people is very difficult and the risk of overcrowding hotels, buses, attractions, and homestays is a problem that would affect every traveler. If we find that the majority of the delegation have commitments that strongly limit our rescheduling, they will work hard to keep us close to that date, but it could also limit our choices of destinations. If most of the group is flexible, we have more choices on destination, and People to People would work with the individuals that cannot make the change, so you might be traveling with a group at a distance from us.

2. What would be your student's two most desirable alternate destinations-- perhaps a consensus could be reached that would please the majority of the group. Again, those not satisfied with that choice could travel with another group, hopefully from Ohio but no guarantees.

If possible, please get back in touch with me by Friday of this week. People to People representatives have been calling me on a daily basis to get the update on any calls I receive from families, and now needs this information.

If you are unsure of other destinations, go to the front of your application or to the following web site:

http://www.peopletopeople.com/OurPrograms/Pages/StudentItineraries.aspx

If you have any questions, please let me know. As the week continued, I knew that our chances of traveling to Japan were slim to none. The area is too unstable at this point and the people of Japan will be putting all of there energy into helping the countless number of homeless people affected by this tragedy.

I would personally like the thank the countless number of delegates who asked what we could do to help the people of Japan. This shows that we have an amazing delegation!

Please respond to this post by Friday, March 18, 2011.