Q: Is "The Friendship Force" a travel- or
tourist organization ?
A: No! Travelling is only a way to help realize the Friendship Force goal. "Friendship
Force Ambassadors" often travel great distances during an exchange. The succes
of such an exchange is not measurable by exchanging handshakes, but by
making new and close friends.
Q: What is meant by an exchange ?
A: A full week of learning and sharing cultural experiences. Friendship Force members travel in groups of 21 persons to and from the appointed host country. They meet their host, who has waited anxiously for their arrival and stay for a week with their host family. They are treated like honored guests and they blend in with the family of their host family. The friendships which are formed on these occasions are often the basis for lifelong relations. It is not uncommon to be invited for a second week, although travelling independently is also a possibility. After the exchange, and only a week away from home, both parties have developed an interest for a nation they often hardly knew anything about before.
Q: Are exchanges the only way to create friendships within "The Friendship Force" ?
A: Most definitely not! You can be part of friendship missions by visiting for
example a country where a stay in a host family is not always possible.
Even if you travel in group and stay in hotels, you create unique possibilities
to make contact with the locals and create new friendships.
"Friendship Festivals" give everybody the possibility to create new contacts.
Festivals offer an unforgettable journey and are a life experience. These festivities
and cultural manifestations last for three days and are combined with a real
conference, followed by a 7-day's stay in a host family.
Q: How has "host family" to be interpreted ?
Q: Within "The Friendship Force of Flanders" it is very simple, because you
choose yourself if you want to be a host family or not. There is no obligation
to welcome Ambassadors at your home.
However, it is for "The Friendship Force" of great importance to have enough
host families, to make sure that the proposed exchanges can take place. If you like
the Friendship Force concept, and you have enough room in your home, it is
really appreciated if you act as a host family as well.
V: What are the costs of "The Friendship Force" ?
A: Not much! Every member pays an annual fee of 25€. If you want to receive
the FFF magazine, you will have to pay an extra 15€? (FFF account number :
143-0568846-42).
With an exchange you pay a fee to the international organization - for a
domestic exchange (which means within the European Union), you pay 25$, for an
international exchange, you pay a fee of 175$ for the 1st week and 50 $ for the
second week. To the club who welcomes you, you pay 75$ to share in the costs for
the welcoming and farewell party, excursions and entrance fees.
On top of this, each member pays an annual fee of 10$/person or 15$/couple to
Atlanta (the headquarters).
Q: What is a Friendship Force Club ?
A: A group of people, just like you, who likes the Friendship Force concept. Together they form a club who informs their community about local and international activities of the organization. The exchange programs which are appointed annualy by the international headquarters (Atlanta) to each club, are worked out by the board members.
THE FRIENDSHIP FORCE BRINGS PEOPLE CLOSER TOGETHER !
THE FRIENDSHIP FORCE MAKES A DIFFERENCE .... and you can be part of it !!