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Here we try to answer a cross section of the most frequently asked questions.

What if I'm not a good traveller?
What is a Homestay?
What does it cost to join The Friendship Force?
What about travel costs?
How can I participate in an Inbound Exchange if I work all day?
What about travel costs on Outbound Exchanges?
How are exchanges organised?
Does it matter if I can't speak a foreign language?

Do I have to be wealthy to join?
REPLY:     ABSOLUTELY NOT. When Friendship Force members travel to another club, they do so to meet the people and learn, not judge how they live. A Friendship Force Exchange will cost you about the same as a package tour to the same location - the difference is that you will go home with so much more.

What if I'm not a good traveller?
REPLY:     You don't ever have to travel if you don't want to. You can still be a member of the Friendship Force. Many members enjoy being either hosts, day hosts or dinner hosts.The offer homestays to incoming exchanges and they meet other Friendship Force members that way.

What is a “Homestay”?
REPLY:       Simple - when you travel with the club to another country, you stay free of charge as a guest in the home of another Friendship Force member in that country.You share their life for a week and probably their friendship for the rest of your life.

What does it cost to join The Friendship Force?
REPLY:     Current annual subscription for the Perth Club is $28.00 per person. If joining partway through a financial year the subscription fee would be pro rata. The financial year runs from 1st October to 30th September.

What about travel costs?
REPLY:     When we go on an Outbound Exchange, we pay our own travel costs plus a fee to the Friendship Force as follows:

How can I participate in an Inbound Exchange if I work all day?
REPLY:     You could provide accommodation on a 'bed and breakfast' basis and let another club member assist you by Day Hosting. They look after your ambassador(s) during the day while you are at work.Alternatively you could contribute by inviting a couple of ambassadors to join you for a meal one evening, or just provide some food for the welcome or farewell party. There are many ways to be involved in an exchange.

What about travel costs on Outbound Exchanges?
REPLY:     When we go on an Outbound Exchange, we pay our own travel costs plus a fee to the Friendship Force as follows: A basic fee for all countries except the USA of $US125 per ambassador per one-week phase for the first two phases - the fee for third phase is $US50 per ambassador.To this is added $US100 per ambassador per phase, and $US30 per ambassador which goes to the ambassador Exchange Director to defray exchange related expenses.

How are exchanges organised?
REPLY:     Each year, clubs decide whereabouts in the world they would like to go to be hosted (Outbound Exchanges), also where they would be prepared to accept clubs from as ambassadors (Inbound Exchanges).This information goes to our head office in Atlanta where the staff do their best to match up the clubs.Obviously, if several cluthe pairing of hosts and ambassadors (trying to match up people of similar ages and interests if possible). Committees of club members will work to organise outings and entertainment for the ambassadors. The success of all exchanges depends on both clubs working together.Exchanges may be to two or three different clubs (two or three one-week phases)

Does it matter if I can't speak a foreign language?
REPLY:     No, not at all.If you can smile, mime and point, you're going to do just fine.Even mundane events can sometimes become hilarious that way.Remember that everyone in The Friendship Force is a member because they WANT to communicate and learn.They will be trying as hard as you.Learning just a few words in the hosts language will guarantee a delighted smile, no matter how badly pronounced.

Isn´t The Friendship Force just a travel club?
REPLY:     NO!   The whole point of the club is Friendship - at home and abroad.Our motto is ”FACES, NOT PLACES.”An exchange involves commitment and effort on your part.If you are just looking for a cheap holiday then the Friendship Force is NOT for you.

What are members reallylike?
REPLY:     They are just ordinary people of all ages who like to do something rather special.We have no religious or political associations, just a desire to learn more about other people in other places and be friends with them, no matter what their creed colour or background.

How many clubs are there?

REPLY:     At the time of writing there are 390 clubs world wide and growing.