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Anyone travel with to Europe with ISE when they were in college?

Anyone travel with to Europe with ISE when they were in college?

Old Aug 1st, 2005, 06:07 PM
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Anyone travel with to Europe with ISE when they were in college?

I was cleaning today and pulled out my album of pictures from my first trip to Europe. Brought back some great memories. I traveled with ISE (International Student Exchange). It was sponsored by the University of Illinois and a university in Austria (maybe Vienna). I remember Uncle Roland Stemmler, the organizer, met us all in Paris.

I went in 1974. We travelled all over Europe on a bus for 2 months. Sounds terrible, but we had a wonderful time. Three meals, our lodging, and entry fees were all included. I paid $999 for the landtour and $199 for airfare and 5 days in London.

I sent people on that trip for years after that. My brother went 11 years later and the trip was even better then.

Did anyone else first see Europe with ISE?
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Old Aug 1st, 2005, 06:16 PM
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Without passing judgment on the trip, which you seemed to enjoy, the trip was in NO way sponsored by the University of Illinois-Champagne - even though Uncle 'Rolly' sought to portray a link - on campus the sign out in front of his ISE offices, just off the campus proper even had signs cloning exactly UI signs in front of their building. NOT sponsored by the University of Illinois and the University in Vienna ties could well be equally Ersatz. But if you enjoyed it, all the better, university sponsored or not. Re: Contiki!
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Old Aug 1st, 2005, 09:16 PM
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Hi Linda in Ohio!

I have not yet gone, nor will I be going with ISE, but I will in 48 (maybe 47) days go to Coleraine, Northern Ireland. I am planning on seeing London, Edinburgh/Glasgow, Dublin, Paris, and, if time and funds remain, possibly Amsterdam. Maybe when I get back, or as I go along, I'll update here and let you know how fabulous of a time I'm having! While it won't be the whirlwind tour you had, I'm still hoping to have as much fun and make as many memories!

Andie
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Old Oct 6th, 2005, 06:37 PM
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I traveled to Europe 17 times with ISE. It later became known as Club Europa. It was the greatest way to see Europe and the price was unbelievably fantastic. I will always remember those summers.
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Old Jul 24th, 2006, 03:47 PM
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Hi Linda, I'm Brian from California, I went to Europe with ISE in 1981, 20 countries in 54 days; it was a great experience I'll never forget. I can't believe it's been 25 years, was 19 then 44 now. I remember meeting Uncle Roland as well but It might have been in Switzerland instead of Paris (that guy got around!) I remember the tour guide was a nice guy named Wolfgang from Austria but the Bus drivers name escapes me. Became pretty close with the others on the tour; riding around in that bus for two months. I was doing a google to see if ISE was still around; apparently it's Club Europa or something now. It would be great to hear from some of the others that were on my tour; I remember a lot of them by name so maybe someone will catch this post that went to Europe with ISE in 1981 (at least I'm pretty sure it was 81 if my math is correct) it was the 54 day trip. Thanks for your post Linda it brings back some great! memories
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Old Nov 14th, 2006, 03:29 PM
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Perhaps the bus driver was Heinz. The Europeans we passed during 54 days through 16 countries did not understand our sign, "You cannot ketchup to Heinz!" (He drove a little fast you see.)

Listening to Uncle Roland in Switzerland I was certain I would take his next venture to the Orient. It was truly an outstanding experience as well! I missed the opportunity to head to Australia -- the next venture they planned around 1989 -- but the son I had instead had the opportunity to travel to Australia as a 6th grader as a Student Ambassador with the People to People program.
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Old Nov 26th, 2006, 01:02 PM
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I am still in college and I went on this contiki trip and it was the best way to see europe, I lived in Florence for a summer and didn't get to see all of europe but through contiki I was able to see a bunch of europe
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Old Jan 27th, 2007, 01:25 AM
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Did anyone take a trip with I.S.E. in 1990-92 to Europe? I would dearly love to get a copy of the itinerary!

Thanks!
TS
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Old Aug 11th, 2007, 10:22 PM
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I went in 1980. Group J-36. I remember being one of six guys out of 53 total participants. A geat way to travel to Europe for the first time, or on a budget.
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Old Oct 17th, 2007, 11:06 AM
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Brian from California still looking for any people who where on my tour; which I think was 1981; it's been so long you know I can't remember the group number; I do remember Wolfgang from Austria the tour guide and the bus driver could have been Heinz but I don't think so; I remember I got sick in Thessalonica Greece; and had to stay back a day and catch up with the group a day or two later (kind of the low point of the trip) and I remember going to the Casino in Salzburg Austria and winning a few dollars (or Marks, whatever the Austrian currency was) in a slot machine which was loads of fun since you only had to be 18 rather than 21 in the states (this was more like the high point in the trip I loved Salzburg and everyone else did too) and I don't remember what city it was but I lost my glasses in a swimming pool at some hotel and the bus was going to leave before I could find them and at the last minute one of the other kids dived in and found them for me; I don't remember his name but he was a nice kid to do that. And I remember getting in a little skirmish with this guy on the tour who was older and was a Judo instuctor and wanted to prove he could kick my ass and he more or less did, I don't even remember the reason for the skirmish but it was no big deal and we were all still friends later on; in fact that guy who's name I think was Jim and he had a very good looking wife, her name may have been Sue but I'm not sure they were not students and I'm not sure why they were on the tour but they had a reunion at their home down in San Clemente CA shortly after the trip and we played golf and had fun and everyone was friends; I think when you ride for two months on a bus with people some people are bound to get irritated with each other at some point. Anyway if any of this sounds familliar to anyone please post up and let me know who you are or... who you were then?

Brian from Whittier CA
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Old Oct 17th, 2007, 11:07 AM
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Brian from California still looking for any people who were on my tour; which I think was 1981; it's been so long you know I can't remember the group number; I do remember Wolfgang from Austria the tour guide and the bus driver could have been Heinz but I don't think so; I remember I got sick in Thessalonica Greece; and had to stay back a day and catch up with the group a day or two later (kind of the low point of the trip) and I remember going to the Casino in Salzburg Austria and winning a few dollars (or Marks, whatever the Austrian currency was) in a slot machine which was loads of fun since you only had to be 18 rather than 21 in the states (this was more like the high point in the trip I loved Salzburg and everyone else did too) and I don't remember what city it was but I lost my glasses in a swimming pool at some hotel and the bus was going to leave before I could find them and at the last minute one of the other kids dived in and found them for me; I don't remember his name but he was a nice kid to do that. And I remember getting in a little skirmish with this guy on the tour who was older and was a Judo instuctor and wanted to prove he could kick my ass and he more or less did, I don't even remember the reason for the skirmish but it was no big deal and we were all still friends later on; in fact that guy who's name I think was Jim and he had a very good looking wife, her name may have been Sue but I'm not sure they were not students and I'm not sure why they were on the tour but they had a reunion at their home down in San Clemente CA shortly after the trip and we played golf and had fun and everyone was friends; I think when you ride for two months on a bus with people some people are bound to get irritated with each other at some point. Anyway if any of this sounds familliar to anyone please post up and let me know who you are or... who you were then?

Brian from Whittier CA
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Old Feb 13th, 2010, 01:28 PM
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I traveled in the summer of 1983. It was one of the most exciting things I have ever done. Now my daughter is going to college and I thought if ISE still existed, she should take a trip... Does it still exist?

PS. I do remember Uncle Roland...
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Old Mar 18th, 2010, 08:37 PM
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I also went for the summer of 1983 with my friend from High School, Mego. We went as our college graduation presents. I just went through my journal; I actually still have the letters of info... Roland Stemmler was the President of ISE.. CLUB EUROPA.. MY GROUP WAS x620! I have a list of everyone on the trip and great pictures.. I wish we had emails back then so I could reconnect. I may have found 1 or 2 on facebook - still looking.. My tour guide was Felix Amon, the bus driver was Gunter Nanczo... .. IT WAS THE BEST!!!
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Old Apr 20th, 2010, 01:45 PM
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I was on the 1981 summer trip! Possibly with Brian from Whittier. The group was J-4. I feel that there was a Brian in the group.... I do not remember all that he mentioned, but the bus driver was maybe Dieter, and the tour guide was Hans. We actually had another tour guide that got fired in the middle of the trip. Is anyone out there who can remember?? Still friends with Joanne from the trip. Yes, there were only a few guys: Mark, Seth??, Hank... and maybe a Brian??? I am Carolyn.
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Old Apr 26th, 2010, 11:04 AM
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The bus driver's name was Ernst... and Rolf was the best tourguide ever! Loved this trip so much went twice in a row. Wish my kids could benefit from something similiar...anyone know of something like this for Europe or China?
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Old May 12th, 2010, 10:16 AM
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We were on "M30" 1981....I scoffed at the brochure which said "don't worry about coming alone, you will make friends, and we even get wedding invitations from some of our former participants". However they had the last laugh, so to speak, because I did send them a wedding invitation, as I married a man I met on the trip and we are still married, 27 years ago this June. We had the tour guide Klaus, bus driver Paul, who was French and a real partier...we had a wreck right on the train tracks in Hungary and all had to get off the bus. He finally got the bus to move before the train came. We missed the Blue Danube river tour. We got to have a German bus driver for a few days while our bus was fixed and that was great!
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Old Jul 18th, 2010, 08:41 PM
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I was in I think J-2 in 1982 right after I graduated from college. It was the most memorable and incredible trip. Our tour was 21 countries in 55 days. Wolfgang from Austria (we called him Wolfie) was our guide. Don't remember the driver's name. Maybe I can find some info in one of my many boxes of stuff. Every now and then I would wonder if there were any forums relating to these trips. I did end up living in Germany from 1990 to 1994 and loved visiting many sites again. Needless to say, it also make me appreciate so much more everything that we saw and did for such a cheap price. Please post if you were a part of this fabulous adventure. We had one couple who met and married. Invitations to weddings, etc. Almost all of us had just graduated from college - so 22 years old. I just smile thinking about it all!!!!
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Old Aug 10th, 2010, 08:57 PM
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I also went in 1982...I think it was J-24. Our guide was Gerhard from Austria. Our bus driver was Kostas from Greece. Just recently I have located three people from our trip on Facebook, which has been fun! I loved this trip and wondered if it is still in existence now that I have kids the right age. If anyone else from our group reads this, I would love to get in contact with you. We did 21 countries in what was supposed to be 55 days, but we had to tack on a few days at the end in Madrid because of some plane issues...too bad, we had to stay longer! It was a great group of people. Mary Caporal Prior
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Old Aug 14th, 2010, 04:19 AM
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Mary, I was on a trip with ISE summer of 82 and Gerhart from Austria was our guide, but the bus drive was not by that name. I believe he was from Austria as well though, if I remember correctly (short red faced guy that drank lots of wine). I'm thinking I was on J-21...but fant memory of the group number. Could have been more than one Gerhart I suppose also. We had a great trip and created a lot of good memories. There was a Mary on our trip though. If I find my trip information, I'll check the number and names of other students. Chip
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Old Sep 8th, 2010, 01:42 PM
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I traveled in 1980 J-24 54 day. Anyone in that Group? I think our travel guides name was Fritz, from Austria, "no Kangroo's"
Had a great time. Went with a friend named Suzie, and made a great friend Sara, NJ. I am looking for a copy of the itinerary. Planning to go back and would like to remember some of the places we went to, like the place outside of Rome with the water fountains.
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