You know by now that one of my fundamental goals of this web site is to promote intercultural exchange, so that the links between people of different cultures, which helps us all to break the barriers between people and create more tolerance and understanding. Personally, I am a huge advocate of travel for the purpose of connecting with local people to get an idea about their lifestyle and philosophy.
SERVAS is an interesting organization that facilitates the exchange of Intercultural gathering of travelers who are interested in intercultural exchanges, as well as local hosts are willing to accommodate these passengers (for free) or spend some time with them. Servas members are now represented in more than 130 countries, and this is a great organization, if:
- you want to visit foreign countries and participate in everyday life
- would you like people from other countries to join in their daily lives for a short time
- you want to try to overcome their prejudices to communicate with others
- they believe that peace is possible if everybody really wants
.
the Internet search I was able to locate the office of U.S. Servas head and I approached Carole Wagner, Office Manager, and Patrice Samara, CEO of the New York headquarters in the United States Servas shed more light on this interesting organization.
[Editor's comment: Please note that some information in this article is specific to the United States Servas, a general historical and philosophical foundations of this organization shall apply to any organization's member countries. More specific information for each member country may be obtained from the local branch of the country Servas International .]
1 Please let us know about Servas, what kind of organization? What advantages does it offer the passengers?
U.S. Servas is a nonprofit organization aimed at promoting peace through intercultural exchange. People can join as a passenger, as the host, or as a traveler and as a host. But you need not be both. One can also become a contributor to Servas.
Travelers can benefit from meeting and living with people in the country are traveling. If you like good conversation with new people and be part of family life, you'll enjoy Servas.
Since there is no money goes to the host families, many people think, "Oh this great inexpensive way to travel." This is not what we are. Our goal is peace, not a cheap trip. We are different from many other similar groups in which we interview all potential passengers, and do not approve of those whose views and objectives do not agree with Servas.
Our mission is: "U.S. Servas encourages more just and peaceful world by promoting respect for cultural diversity through Homestays and experience in the host communities ."
We are the hosts in over 130 countries, and there are close to 15,000 hosts in the world. In the U.S. we have the 1500 hosts.
2 When it began and who created it? What is the philosophy behind the Servas?
Servas was started in 1948 Bob Luitweiler, a conscientious objector. It was right after WWll and was originally the name of peace Builders.Bob established local groups in various countries to promote peace and to make changes in society.
built hospitality system in Finland by going to the Settlement Houses. In Germany, he's got people who were in labor movement to join. In Denmark, he approached the National Secondary Schools and the UK joined the pacifist group with services in a community living and working with social apostates to put them back into society. In the U.S., he knew a woman Esther Harlan, who was a Protestant, had a great list Quaker who became the first U.S. Servas hosts.
3 How Servas work, what countries they can visit and how members are there?
Each country is preparing its own list of hosts. The list includes the name and address of the host, their ages and what languages they speak. It lists their interests, as countries have traveled and lived in and belong to organizations. It helps to choose the passenger host who have something in common s.
the traveler must contact the host, either by phone, letter or e-mail if their e-mail, tell them when they come and ask if it's convenient for them to visit. Sometimes the host will say no, either because they have family visiting, or just
Servas guests and needs some time between guests. They may also be going on vacation themselves. Travellers should be aware that in July and August, the Europeans go on vacation, and you May have more difficulty finding a host in that time.
4 Please let us know about some events that are organized by Servas.
Servas is an international conference every three years. U.S. Servas is an annual conference. This year will be in Vancouver, Canada, in conjunction with Servas Canada.
Many large cities have a monthly gathering hosts, travelers and friends, whether in a restaurant or a member of the House, often all contributions to a favorite dish. This month in New York, we'll have a garden party in Brooklyn hosts the garden.
5 What is "Servas Host" or "Host Dan" entail?
the day the host is someone who has no place to accommodate guests overnight, but is happy to spend time with passengers during the day, sightseeing or having obrok.Redoviti host will set the traveler for 3 days and 2 nights. Occasionally, the host will invite guests to stay longer.
We discourage just 1-night visit, because it does not allow
host and travel to really get to know each other. The landlord is not obligated to give away food, but most do not. If you were going to India or Africa or other poor countries, it would be nice for guests to contribute food.
As the host of New York, I usually spend time in the morning over breakfast, talking to my guests and helps them navigate the subway system if needed and making suggestions on things to do, if not what većpopis want to do. I often invite them to visit the Fulton Fish Market early in the morning, because I live close by. This is not the usual tourist sights. I cook dinner, usually single and suggest dinner in Chinatown for another meal. Sometimes they offer to cook for me. imam
some wonderful recopies gave me that they cooked for us in our house.
6 What suggestions do you have for someone trying to Servas concept for the first time?
If you are thinking of becoming a Servas traveler, I would say that you should not plan to stay each night of your vacation with the host. If you can set up visits with the locals, you can certainly do it, but I feel that I speak and hear a lot of time during visits, so I need some down / quiet time after each visit. If you are a very quiet person and
uncomfortable in new social situations, Servas May not be for you.
a passenger must be open to new people and willing to join in with the host or host family. Servas travelers who do not want to just plan to use the house as the host hotel. You'll spend some time with his host, and how much time
depends on your host's schedule.
When you plan your trip, pay more than the hosts intend to stay with someone if they are not available.
7 You personally have traveled Servas network. Please let us know about countries, places and people you visit.
My husband and I traveled with Servas in Germany, Switzerland, Iceland,
Vancouver / Canada, and Bonaire in the Caribbean. I also stayed with host
in the United States. In Germany, we stayed with a couple who had a large house, so that
We had our own bedroom and bathroom, which is nice. (Perhaps the sleeping
mattress in the living room, as we did with the other host.) was
a wonderful cook and we were around in his car to see some sights, and
We also went to visit another Servas host who is a wine merchant. I
enjoyed the visit very much.
in Iceland, which remained the main contact for Servas. I had called her for advice as to where to stay. Although only a day host, she invited us to stay overnight when she heard I was working on Servas office. We are also about a whole day showing us all of Reykjavik. We had a wonderful dinner cooked salmon, I never knew cooked salmon could taste so good
.
When she arrived in New York next year, she and her husband stayed with us.
Her husband, who was a carpenter, fixed my dining room chairs for me. I
remain good friends and keep in touch.
When my husband and I travel to the Caribbean, we always stay at the inn.
However, since the hosts in 7 Bonaire, I planned to visit them all the day
host.
a nice older couple invited us into the evening had a party for
their 2-year-old grandson. We met the whole family. Not everyone was saying
English, but they are so hospitable. Julio asked me if I ever ate
iguana. I said no. He said he would catch and then call us on the
dinner. It was delicious, tastes like chicken.
The second host in Bonaire is planning a birthday party for eighty years
friend. He played in a Mariachi band. She invited us to the party. It was
difficult to find a place, so we picked up a local who drove with us
parties. There were over 100 people there and music and food are
large. I think we met half the people who lived on the island. If I had
not known Servas hosts would never have had these experiences.
8 Please share with us your 3 favorite travel memories related to Servas.
On our way to Switzerland, we stayed with the owner in the vicinity of Lake Lucerne. it
rented an old farmhouse on the side of a mountain overlooking the lake of Lucerne.
It is a beautiful sight. I took lots of photos, especially the sunsets.
We slept upstairs in the attic and millet pillows, very comfortable. I
a trip with her through the village, and she walked around barefoot all
way.
I remember her cat, Shacti, who was often left alone for a week on
farmhouse, and she subsisted on mice. But she did not want to eat bile
bladder. We were told the host she could count on a small bile
bubbles, and I know how much she eats. One day I noticed the cat as
caught the mouse and watched her carefully remove the tiny gall bladder. it
She knew the anatomy of the mouse.
in Vancouver, we stayed on the mainland, with a large pair of our time, and
After our stay, we planned to go to Victoria. They suggested we stay
with a Servas host, a friend of theirs, which is owned by B & B. However, the host of a book
said that in May did not take Servas guests, as was the busy season
for B & B. But I would call them and they said that we can take
But you have to make a bed for themselves and again when they leave their
next "paying" customer. They had a wonderful dog, very friendly. I tend to
look for the hosts with their pets, as I love animals. It was a great visit, great
hosts.
My next memory comes from my experience hosting. I've been host to more than
15 years and have had much more experience of hosting travel experiences.
I got a letter from two young men from Togo in Africa. I had never
Togo heard before. They plan to come to New York and wants to stay
with me. It was their first Servas experience. I expected them to
On Sunday night I had a lamb dinner prepared. But they did not come. I
was disappointed. Monday night we got a call from them, they were on
Togo Embassy in New York and asked if we could raise. Al and I went to
pick them up and discovered that Jean could not speak any English and Leon
just a little bit. I speak a little French, which was their native language.
This was my only visit to a language problem. But we managed. I
would not learn very much about them and their country because of language
problem. However, in our attempts to communicate, we had a lot of misunderstandings.
For example, I have a cat, which is kitty litter in the bathroom. so I
tried them they should not close the bathroom door when they
completed so that the cat could not get to use the kitty litter. Well,
The next day, my husband told me, they did not understand. Leon is
wet bathroom with the door open. He must have thought we were very
strange.
However, Leon and Jean never went back to Togo. Due to many unforeseen
circumstances, they remained in the United States. Jean won the Green Card Lottery and
Leon was granted political asylum. I am still in close contact with Leon, and
In fact, we witnessed his marriage with his fiancé out of it. now his
English is much better and we can communicate. We laugh over the bathroom
incident.
9 How to become a member of the U.S. Servas? How much does it cost?
In order to join Servas USA, you should complete the Letter of Introduction
which can be downloaded from our website. The letter is a space for you to answer some questions in essay form. This is where you get to tell your host about it.
Spend some time filling this as your essay will make you
points out that your host and they will be excited to host you. Then you need 2
letters of recommendation from a friend or associate. Then you will call
the interviewer (we have over 200 in the U.S.), and meet for an interview. I
charge a $ 85.00 annual fee plus $ 25.00 deposit that allows you to get up
5 countries in the host list. The deposit is refunded when you return the book
after your trip.
{Editor's Note: Membership prices and guidelines differ from country to country. For specific information, please direct to its national branch of Servas, which can be located through Servas International .]
Thank you, Carole, and Patrice, for their time, their data and to share wonderful experiences.
