FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT JOURNEYS:
What is a ‘host’?
A host welcomes members into their homes, providing accommodation and activities that reflect their community life and culture. Sightseeing, shopping, visiting local attractions and other group social activities are included.
What is an ‘ambassador’?
An ‘ambassador’ is a guest in the home of a host sharing everyday life experiences and activities.
What is an ‘inbound’ and ‘outbound’ journey?
An ‘inbound’ journey is when we welcome other Friendship Force members from around the world into our homes and community as our guests. An ‘outbound’ journey is when we travel outside our city or country and are hosted by Friendship Force members in other areas of the world.
What is a ‘homestay’?
When you travel with Friendship Force of Manitoba or any other Friendship Force club you are hosted free as a guest in the home of another Friendship Force member. You share their life for a week and most likely their friendship for a lifetime. As an ‘ambassador’ the only expectation of you is that you offer to treat your hosts to a restaurant dinner and present them with a small gift, usually something that reflects your city/country.
What are the travel costs?
When we travel on an outbound journey we pay our own transportation costs plus a nominal fee to Friendship Force International. FFI in turn passes on some of this money to the host club which enables them to provide us with a program that usually includes sightseeing, dinners, etc.
Not a traveller?
You don’t ever have to travel if you don’t want. You can still benefit from belonging to Friendship Force by hosting guests in your home, day hosting or joining in the planned activities during an Incoming journey. Meeting other Friendship Force members is a great experience.
I work all day, how can I participate?
There are many ways you could participate in a journey. You could provide accommodation on a ‘bed and breakfast’ basis and let another club member assist you by looking after your guest during the day (‘day hosting’). Alternatively you could contribute by inviting a couple of guests to join you for a meal one evening, or provide some food or assistance for the welcome or farewell party.
How are journeys organized?
Each year, individual clubs decide where in the world they would like to travel and from what cities or countries they would welcome guests. This information is forwarded to Friendship Force International in Atlanta and there the staff organizes club match-ups. FFI then informs the clubs of their matches and each club can either agree or disagree with the match. If both clubs are agreeable, the journey is confirmed. A member from each club acts as ‘Journey Director’ and they work together to find suitable dates and facilitate the pairing of ‘Hosts’ and ‘Ambassadors’. Pairing involves trying to match people of similar ages and interests if possible. The host club forms a committee that plans the sightseeing, outings and entertainment for the week. Journeys are most enjoyable and successful when both clubs work effectively together.