Why is travel with the Friendship Force called an Exchange Journey?
The word exchange comes from our organization’s early history when communities would actually exchange large delegations of citizen ambassadors. In some cases there were several hundred people traveling in each direction. We now use the word “journey” to emphasize the cultural exchange that takes place when you become a temporary citizen for a few days, through our home hospitality program. We think this gets you straight to the heart of a country and its people.
What is a home stay? Or home hospitality?
Home hospitality is the signature program of Friendship Force. This means that, on most journeys, you will have the opportunity to be a guest for a few days in someone’s home, where the real power of citizen diplomacy can be experienced. You will learn first-hand the difference between travel as a tourist and the experience of being a temporary citizen.
Who are the host families?
Host families are members or friends of Friendship Force in the host community. They are not paid to provide hosting but do so because of their interest in getting to know “citizen ambassadors” from other countries. Your host and their family become your inside guides to the country and its people. There is no better way to explore the world!
Is there a typical itinerary?
Each journey itinerary is unique, but most will combine a Friendship Force home stay with an active program of taking in the local sites while learning first-hand about the culture by establishing a personal relationship with your hosts.
Must I belong to a Friendship Force club in order to participate in a journey?
Yes. In order to participate in a journey, you will need to join, if possible, a local club. See another tab with a listing of clubs in the world in the Club Resources. By joining a club you can participate in the ongoing programs that promote global understanding through friendship. In some cases you may apply directly to FFI to be a member. See the FFI website, htpp:/friendshipforce.org
What are Friendship Force clubs?
Friendship Force exchanges are organized through a volunteer network of 350 chapters (clubs) in 65 countries with 15,000 active members (1/19/2024). The clubs are connected globally through Friendship Force International (FFI), a non-profit organization with offices in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
What do you mean by “apply” to go on a trip?
Each journey is led by an experienced Friendship Force Journey Coordinator. They will ask you to fill out an application prior to accepting you as a journey participant. This application process ensures that travelers are physically healthy enough to make the journey and also that they are committed to the Friendship Force mission.
What does it mean to be committed to the FF mission?
FFI has over a forty-year history of bringing people together in friendship across the barriers that separate people. We think of ourselves as ‘citizen ambassadors’, each of us having the power to promote good relations at a personal level. We believe that “a world of peace is a world of friends”
Updated February, 2024