Exchange Opportunities

For details on any of these exchanges, please contact the Exchange Director directly.

Our newest list from FFI does not have complete information on each exchange. For those exchanges marked with a # - please see the FFI World of Friends Catalog for a list of all  exchanges with openings: 

http://www2.thefriendshipforce.org/catalog/default.asp and click on World of Friends Catalog.

http://www2.thefriendshipforce.org/catalog/media/ffi_catalog_feb_12.pdf

Please forward this exchange information to your friends and others interested in participating as a Friendship Force Ambassador. If you would like to be added to the Friendship Force International mailing list to receive occasional e-mail updates on exchange opportunities, please send your name, postal address, and e-mail address to ffi@thefriendshipforce.org. 

More opportunities are added as available. Listings for the year will be added as they are received.

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USA

# British Columbia, Canada and Washington, USA
Discover the beautiful wine country of Canada's Okanagan Valley
June 17 - 26, 2013

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# Great Falls, Montana 

June 24 to July 1, 2013 
Follow the footsteps of the great explorers Lewis and Clark, and discover the American West. In 1805, Lewis and Clark spent a month exploring what is now Montana. Join the Friendship Force of Central Montana for a week of discovery, seeing the sights and learning all about this fascinating piece of American history. You'll take a day trip with renowned expert Don Peterson to Camp Decision and the portage route of the Missouri River, and you'll see recreations of the encampents and discover how the explorers lived, ate, slept and traveled. You can also take a walking tour to Sacajawea Springs and a river float trip. 

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# Cedar Rapids and Ames, Iowa, USA
August 2 to 16, 2013 
Feeding the world, nurturing the creative spirit: agriculture and art in America's Heartland
Two Friendship Force clubs have partnered to provide you an exchange that will immerse you in the experience of Midwestern agriculture and nurture your creative spirit. Join FF Cedar Rapids-Iowa City and FF Central Iowa to follow the journey of food from seed to table, and see the farms that feed the world. Iowa is home to some of the largest collections of world-class contemporary art outside major US metropolitan areas. You'll view art collections, meet artists, and attend the Iowa State Fair where agriculture and art come together in celebration of the Midwestern way of life. 

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# 11386 Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada and Flathead Valley, Montana, USA
A cross-border exchange - make new friends in Alberta and Montana this fall
September 3 to 17, 2013  

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# Whales, birds' tails and nature trails - Whidbey Island, Washington 
September 17 - 24, 2013
Contact Shirley Hauck

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# Rolling along with the Mississippi River from Memphis to New Orleans
November 2 to 22, 2013
Join in the adventure, following the Mississippi River from Memphis to New Orleans and encounter the traditions, food, music and people who have been influenced by the Great River. Learn about the cotton, sugar and rice plantations; discover the many types of American music born in this region, from blues to bluegrass to rock and roll; explore the history of civil rights; go canoeing on a lake and walk the boardwalks of a stunning cypress swamp. This exchange is great for anyone going to the World Conference - our journey ends in New Orleans just before the conference begins.  

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CANADA

Penticton, British Columbia 
June 17 - 26, 2013 
We would be delighted to have any of your members join us and experience the beautiful Okanagan Valley. 
Details can be found in the World of Friends Catalog or by contacting Georgia Old.
Contact Georgia Old, FFI of Greater Lansing (Michigan): georgiaold@comcast.net

$515 gets you a 2 night stopover and a day in Spokane with the FFI club in Spokane, motorcoach from Spokane to Penticton and back to Spokane and a 7 night exchange in Penticton. It does not include air. The Okanagan Valley is one of the premier wine-growing regions of Canada and an up-and-coming resort area. We will have exposure to the Indigenous People center, a desert museum. at least one Canadian Farmer's Market, the fruit growing industry and the wineries. 

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# British Columbia, Canada and Washington, USA
June 17 - 26, 2013

Discover the beautiful wine country of Canada's Okanagan Valley

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Explore Canada! 

August 16 - 28, 2013
For detailed information and price contact: Brenda Kane, Co-Chair Global Themed Exchange for Canadian Rockies - bgkane@telus.net

If you are an active person who appreciates nature, history, adventure and fun... then this is the exchange for you! Hosted by the Friendship Force Club of Edmonton and Area in beautiful Western Canada, this exchange will include a six-day homestay plus a coach tour through Jasper and Banff National Parks.

During the homestay you will explore Fort Edmonton Park and discover how the fur traders opened up the West. You will learn about our Aboriginal people who first walked this land, and the varied flora and fauna of Alberta as we visit the Royal Alberta Museum. To experience the Prairie forest ecosystem, we will visit the Strathcona Wilderness Centre where we will spend the day canoeing and hiking along interpretive trails and through a spruce bog on a geo-caching adventure. For a change of pace, we will take part in Edmonton’s Fringe Festival that includes roving street performers, musicians, and a wide range of dramatic and comedy performances.

Our coach trip through the Jasper Rockies will include a scenic boat trip on Maligne Lake, a raft float down the Athabasca River, and a ride on the Ice Explorer on the Columbia Icefields. Look for elk, bear, mountain sheep, deer and moose as you drive along the Icefields Parkway and hike down Maligne Canyon. 

Our next stop will be Lake Louise Village, where we will stay two nights in private rooms at the HI-Lake Louise Alpine Centre. You will have an opportunity to hike up a mountainside to the teahouse, sit and read by the lake, or go shopping in Banff. In the evening, we will dine in the famous Chateau Lake Louise dining room, overlooking the sparkling waters of Lake Louise. We will finish our visit to Banff with a ride up Sulphur Mountain on the Banff Gondola to experience breath-taking views of six mountain ranges. 

The final two nights will be spent at Rafter Six Ranch in the foothills of Alberta. Here we will enjoy a trail ride on horseback or by wagon followed by a western steak barbecue and a campfire under the stars. 

Why not join us and experience some real Western hospitality? We’d love to have you come and stay!

Please note: this exchange requires a moderate level of activity. You must be able to walk without aid at least a mile on uneven ground, climb several flights of stairs without any problem, and carry your own luggage. You should be prepared to participate fully in the exchange, as there will be no alternative itinerary.

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# Niagara, Stratford-St. Mary's, Toronto and North Bay, Canada

August 25 to September 10, 2013

Discover Canada with three friendly clubs, including the new FF Toronto

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# 11386 Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada and Flathead Valley, Montana, USA
A cross-border exchange - make new friends in Alberta and Montana this fall
September 3 to 17, 2013  

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# 11416 Winnipeg and Ottawa, Canada 
Take in the beauty of autumn in two cities in Canada
September 18 to 30, 2013  

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EUROPE

Spring 2013 Enrichment Voyage Cruise

Join Friendship Force and Enrichment Voyages for a cultural cruise around the European peninsula. Final call! Join any of three segments of the Spring 2013 Enrichment Voyage. Over 70 Friendship Force members are already signed up for one or more segments. Space is limited so act fast. See itinerary details.

For price information and registration, contact Laura Romero: lromero@thefriendshipforce.org.

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# Baku, Azerbaijan and Moscow, Russia

May 24 - June 12, 2013

Attend a traditional wedding dinner in Azerbaijan and explore the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia.
Join a home stay with Friendship Force Baku; your hosts will introduce you to the culture and history of their country. Then enjoy a six-night extension to see more of Azerbaijan, including two nights in a converted caravanserai in the town of Sheki in the Caucasus Mountains. Finally, encounter the unique culture of Russia with the Friendship Force of Moscow. See Catalog. 

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# 11559 Belgium and the Netherlands

Cycling with friends in Belgium and the Netherlands
May 29 - June 8, 2013 

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German Language Learners Exchange in Varel and Cottbus, Germany
June 1 - 16, 2013

Approximately $1,300 USD (includes FFI Fees, Host Fees, transportation between the clubs, language lessons and printed material, transportation to day trips, entry fees and lunches). See the pricing details. The deadline to apply is February 1, 2013.

Contact: FFI Program Coordinator Barbara at bstonebrink@thefriendshipforce.org.

The Friendship Force Clubs of Varel and Cottbus invite you to join them in Germany to practice your language skills. This is a great opportunity for you if you’ve learned German in the past and would like to refresh your memory, or if you are learning it now and you want some language immersion to take you to the next level. They offer 2 or 3 formal lessons each week, where you will learn about grammar and vocabulary. This will be complemented with the Friendship Force home hosting and interaction with hosts and club members. The majority of the learning will happen in everyday life situations with your home hosts as well as on excursions to the countryside and while exploring the great sights your hosts have selected for you!

Week 1 (June 1 – 9, 2012) Friendship Force of Cottbus
Cottbus is located on the river Spree between Berlin and Dresden and very close to the border with Poland. It is a scenic university city also called ‘the Green City’ and has a population of about 100,000 people. In addition to the language program, there will be excursions to:

More plans will be announced soon. 

From Cottbus you take a beautiful and scenic train ride to Varel in Friesland on the German coast of the Northern Sea…
Week 2 (June 9 – 16, 2012) Friendship Force of Varel
Varel has a population of 25,000 and is located on a small bight on the south of the Northern Sea. You will enjoy a far horizon, green meadows and dikes dotted with sheep. Outings will include trips to:

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# Leicestershire, UK and Scotland

June 21 - July 5, 2013

Take a stroll through England & Scotland 
Experience a week of home hosting in Leicestershire, UK, including a look at rural England, medieval castles and a trip to Shakespeare's birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon. Then continue for a week of touring Scotland and the English Lake District. Sites will include Glasgow, Isle of Skye, Inverness, Edinburgh and Leeds. See Catalog. 

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# 11379 Luebeck, Hamburg and Schwerin, Germany; Reims, Ardennes and Champagne, France
Spend a week in a French chateau and make friends in historic Luebeck, Germany
August 30 to September 13, 2013  

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# Poland and Germany

September 15 - 27, 2013

Help us bring the Friendship Force to Poland
After three nights in historic Schwerin, Germany, and three nights in Berlin, we'll begin a six-night tour of Poland. Visiting the three cities of Warsaw, Czestochowa and Zakopane, we'll take in the Wieliczka Salt Mine and the Auschwitz Martyrdom Museum, and we'll even go rafting on the Dunajec River. We'll also introduce the Friendship Force to locals. See Catalog.

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# Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and Austria

September 24 - October 8, 2013

Explore five countries of Central Europe
Encounter Central Europe's castles and cathedrals, gorgeous landscapes, museums and waterways. Come meet the people and experience a part of Europe you may have been missing. This region is especially known for its musical treasures. We will meet with locals to introduce the concept of the Friendship Force, and we will enjoy two nights of home hosting with FF Bratislava in Slovakia. See Catalog.

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Black Sea Area (Austin Club)
September 24 - October 12, 2013
Tour in Kyiv/Kiev, Ukraine
Homestays in Rostov-on-Don, Russia and Alupka, Ukraine

Cost: $675 plus inland air; international airline tickets extra (Est: $3000)
Send applications, $300 deposit (fully refundable at this stage), or further inquiries to:
Kay Binder, Austin Friendship Force - kaybinder@sbcglobal.net.  6 places left.

Schedule:
Sept 24 Kyiv (Ukrainian spelling) for 2 days - tour
Sept 28 Rostov-on-Don, eastern edge of Asov/Black Sea for one week homestay 
Oct 5 Alupka Region, (near Yalta on the Black Sea) for week of home stay (via Simferopol, Crimea – air and bus)
Oct 12 Return to Simferopol for flight to US

Rostov-on-Don is a major city in southern Russia and has played a large role throughout the centuries of its history, including WWII, with Turkish and Greek influences. We will visit sites including Anton Chekhov’s native home; the capitol of the Don Cossacks with a cultural program of dancing and songs; a pleasure cruise on the Don River; and an English speaking school. Our ED in Rostov speaks good English and has traveled a great deal. You need to be able to walk up stairs and carry your own suitcases.

Bus from Simferopol, Crimea, through the mountains (on good roads) to Alupka – on the Black Sea near Yalta, led by ED from the Crimean Region, who will meet us at the airport; he speaks some English. National Geographic magazine puts this region as the #1 “Must-See-Places” to go in 2013. It has pebble beaches on the Black Sea, mountains in the background, famous health spas, and wonderful wines. Weather in September and October is mild so you might need only a light jacket. We will see palaces, wineries, museums, and visit Yalta Conference site. http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/best-trips-2013/

Note: Pavel, the ED in Alupka, visited Atlanta with the Open World Program and learned about Friendship Force. He is organizing a club in his home area, so we will be mentoring this beginning. True to FFI style, we must be flexible! Pavel is trying to arrange homes for us to stay in, but some people may have to stay in small hotels or pensions.

Costs and Fees: 
FFI Fees $300 (150 per week of home stay)
Austin Admin Fee 425 (Unused portion will be refunded)
Home Hosting $ 200 (May increase some for Rostov) 
Contingency Fee $ 150 (For unexpected expenses. Unused portion will be refunded to ambassadors)
Total $675

Domestic flights between Rostov and the Ukraine (Bus and train travel involves staying overnight somewhere.) A cost estimate of the two inland flights is $300 - $400. Flights to Kyiv and return to USA are at your own expense, but we are working with an agency to see if we can get a group rate and fly together at a cheaper rate.

The pre-exchange tour in Kyiv includes 3 overnights in a hotel, breakfast and 2 lunches, bus tour of area and of the city, as well as entrance fees, etc.; cost tentatively $600 (or less). We are still working out expenses negotiating to get this price even lower. 

Estimate total of $3000 for international airline tickets, cost of the exchanges, plus inland air, but with the realistic hope of it costing somewhat less than that. 

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MIDDLE EAST / ASIA

Vladivostok and Ulan-Ude, Russia
May 23 - June 9, 2013
Seeking adventurous ambassadors to visit two new clubs in the rugged Russian Far East
Cost: $1965 USD — includes all fees (FFI, local clubs, admissions, etc.), transport in both cities, a second-class berth on the Trans-Siberian Railway from Vladivostok to Ulan Ude (4 to a compartment), and some meals. NOT INCLUDED: transportation to and from the exchange, travel insurance, and the cost of a Russian Visa. Advice and assistance on travel and visas is available upon inquiry. 
Contact: Dave and Pat Meyer, FF Northern Illinois - davidcmeyer@sbcglobal.net

 
Join us and 20 adventurous ambassadors from around the world as we visit two new clubs in the Russian Far East.

 

We are so excited to be the exchange directors for this unique exchange to Vladivostok and Ulan-Ude.

We had the opportunity to travel to Vladivostok after the Friendship Force World Conference in Hiroshima last year. The club members there are fantastic! We found the city fascinating, the hospitality beyond measure, and their plans for our arrival outstanding.

We also met several members of the Ulan-Ude club when they visited Chicago last winter. They, too, are lovely people and are developing an outstanding program for our visit.

We will begin with a homestay in Vladivostok, a city of 600,000 founded in 1859. We will be introduced to its history as a major port, railhead, and military outpost, surrounded by wilderness. Its environment is the only place on earth where sub-tropical and arctic flora and fauna mix. We'll also hike with the head of the Leopard Society through a recently created National Park and visit graduation day programs at a local English language school.

Then we'll travel from Vladivostok to our second homestay in Ulan-Ude, taking a 3000-kilometer ride on the famous Trans-Siberian Railway. The trip will take us through varied country: forests, taiga, steppes, and dramatic mountains. The 2½ day trip will afford us time to relax and appreciate the scenery.
In Ulan-Ude we will find a quite different city of 400,000, including a significant Mongolian minority. It is an important industrial, commercial, and political center, but also the headquarters for Buddhism in Russia. Because of the importance of this type of Buddhism, linked to Tibetan Buddhism, we will visit the largest shrine and temple in all Russia and tour its museum. We will also explore the ‘old city,’ see an Old Believer Orthodox Church, meet members of the Old Believers tradition in their homes and experience their food. 

Then we’ll travel to Lake Baikal, the oldest, most voluminous, and deepest lake in the world, holding almost 20% of the earth’s unfrozen fresh surface water. The lake, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is home to 1700 species, 2/3 of which are found nowhere else on earth. 

Throughout our stay we will make friends with and enjoy the receptivity of people both very like and very different from us.

If you want to join us, you need to act fast. Space is limited, and you must have a Russian visa, which may take two months to acquire.

Please complete the Ambassador Application Form and email it to us. We hope to hear from you soon!
In friendship, Dave and Pat Meyer, FF Northern Illinois

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# Baku, Azerbaijan and Moscow, Russia

May 24 to June 12, 2013

Attend a traditional wedding dinner in Azerbaijan and explore the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia.
Join a home stay with Friendship Force Baku; your hosts will introduce you to the culture and history of their country. Then enjoy a six-night extension to see more of Azerbaijan, including two nights in a converted caravanserai in the town of Sheki in the Caucasus Mountains. Finally, encounter the unique culture of Russia with the Friendship Force of Moscow. See Catalog. 

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# Tbilisi, Sighnaghi, and Kakheti region, Georgia

July 23 to 29, 2013

Encounter the rich, historical culture of wine-making in Georgia 
Georgia is one of the oldest wine-producing regions of Europe. Wine is a symbol of Georgian hospitality, friendship and tolerance. Get acquainted with Georgian lifestyle and wine-making, enjoy wine-tasting, and visit cultural and religious sites. You'll also experience folk dance and traditional music. See World Catalog.

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# Samarinda, Malang and Bali, Indonesia
August 31 to September 18, 2013
Explore life in three unique cities of Indonesia

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Discover India with the Friendship Force
September 11 to 24, 2013

Contact: Andrew Stirling and Eileen Howell: iax@magma.ca

Ottawa, ON, Canada

Dear friends,
The Friendship Force Discover India Program has been popular for several years, with a combination of hotel accommodation and meetings over dinner with Indian families. This year we are adding an optional four-night stay with the new Friendship Force club in Kolhapur. Past exchange directors have high praise for our Indian tour providers and for the itinerary. The dates of the program are September 11 to 24, 2013.
Some highlights of our itinerary: We’ll begin our tour in Delhi, India's principal international gateway. Delhi has thousands of years of history, New Delhi being the modern planned section dating from the British Raj. The metropolis is a mixture of modern and ancient architecture with 16 million people representing both traditional India and the emerging technological state.
We’ll also visit Jaipur, which is in the top 10 most popular Asian cities with its forts, temples and luxury hotels. Agra is home to the Taj Mahal, which is certainly a sight to be seen at least once in a lifetime. And Varanasi is the city where you will see why Indians worship at the sacred Ganges River. Between these four cities are stopovers to highlight as many aspects of Northern India as can be packed into 13 days. 
After our basic 13-day program some of you may want to continue on with us for a four-night program a little further south with our friends in Kolhapur. Hosting will be in a hostel, dormitory-like setting at a boarding school owned and operated by the president of the Friendship Force of Kolhapur. Please see the itinerary for more details.
As the travel will be in September, after the scorching heat of summer but still in the warm season, participants should be physically fit and healthy to participate in this program. Travel will be by air, train and air-conditioned bus so everyone must be able to carry their own baggage, possibly over unpaved terrain and up and down stairways. 
My wife Eileen and I will be exchange directors for the September program this year. We are both energetic and experienced in Friendship Force travel and activities. Andrew has been the president of the Friendship Force of Ottawa and was on the Board of Directors of Friendship Force International until December 2011, most recently serving on the Executive Committee as Board Treasurer. Andrew and Eileen have frequently been the exchange directors for both outgoing and incoming club exchanges and more recently for national and global exchanges including Morocco, Turkey, Japan and Indonesia.
To apply for this exchange, please fill out the application form using exchange number 11410 or send an email directly to us which includes your address and phone number. You may also phone me with questions you may have. Applicants who meet the selection criteria will be expected to place a deposit of $500 USD as soon as possible to hold space on the exchange. 
Yours in friendship,
Andrew Stirling and Eileen Howell, Exchange Directors

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Black Sea Area (Austin Club)
September 24 - October 12, 2013
Tour in Kyiv/Kiev, Ukraine
Homestays in Rostov-on-Don, Russia and Alupka, Ukraine

Cost: $675 plus inland air; international airline tickets extra (Est: $3000)
Send applications, $300 deposit (fully refundable at this stage), or further inquiries to:
Kay Binder, Austin Friendship Force - kaybinder@sbcglobal.net.  6 places left.

Schedule:
Sept 24 Kyiv (Ukrainian spelling) for 2 days - tour
Sept 28 Rostov-on-Don, eastern edge of Asov/Black Sea for one week homestay 
Oct 5 Alupka Region, (near Yalta on the Black Sea) for week of home stay (via Simferopol, Crimea – air and bus)
Oct 12 Return to Simferopol for flight to US

Rostov-on-Don is a major city in southern Russia and has played a large role throughout the centuries of its history, including WWII, with Turkish and Greek influences. We will visit sites including Anton Chekhov’s native home; the capitol of the Don Cossacks with a cultural program of dancing and songs; a pleasure cruise on the Don River; and an English speaking school. Our ED in Rostov speaks good English and has traveled a great deal. You need to be able to walk up stairs and carry your own suitcases.

Bus from Simferopol, Crimea, through the mountains (on good roads) to Alupka – on the Black Sea near Yalta, led by ED from the Crimean Region, who will meet us at the airport; he speaks some English. National Geographic magazine puts this region as the #1 “Must-See-Places” to go in 2013. It has pebble beaches on the Black Sea, mountains in the background, famous health spas, and wonderful wines. Weather in September and October is mild so you might need only a light jacket. We will see palaces, wineries, museums, and visit Yalta Conference site. http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/best-trips-2013/

Note: Pavel, the ED in Alupka, visited Atlanta with the Open World Program and learned about Friendship Force. He is organizing a club in his home area, so we will be mentoring this beginning. True to FFI style, we must be flexible! Pavel is trying to arrange homes for us to stay in, but some people may have to stay in small hotels or pensions.

Costs and Fees: 
FFI Fees $300 (150 per week of home stay)
Austin Admin Fee 425 (Unused portion will be refunded)
Home Hosting $200 (May increase some for Rostov) 
Contingency Fee $150 (For unexpected expenses. Unused portion will be refunded to ambassadors)
Total $675

Domestic flights between Rostov and the Ukraine (Bus and train travel involves staying overnight somewhere.) A cost estimate of the two inland flights is $300 - $400. Flights to Kyiv and return to USA are at your own expense, but we are working with an agency to see if we can get a group rate and fly together at a cheaper rate.

The pre-exchange tour in Kyiv includes 3 overnights in a hotel, breakfast and 2 lunches, bus tour of area and of the city, as well as entrance fees, etc.; cost tentatively $600 (or less). We are still working out expenses negotiating to get this price even lower. 

Estimate total of $3000 for international airline tickets, cost of the exchanges, plus inland air, but with the realistic hope of it costing somewhat less than that. 

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# Nara, Kyoto and Hiroshima, Japan
Immerse yourself in the traditional culture of Japan
Sept 29 - Oct 14, 2013 

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# Hiroshima, Ehime, Mie and Tokyo, Japan
October 1 to 19, 20
Encounter the natural wonders of Japan: mountains, waterfalls and seas

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AFRICA

# Nairobi, Kenya
Discover "The Green City in the Sun" 
June 3 - 16, 2013

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# Make a difference in Uganda
Kampala and Kalungu, Uganda
June 12 - 25, 2013

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# 11466  Casablanca, Rabat, Fes, Marrakech, Ouarzazate, Azrou and Erfoud, Morocco
See Morocco from all sides
October 23 - November 6, 2013 

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CENTRAL/SOUTH AMERICA

# Brasilia, Rio de Janeiro and Iguassu Falls, Brazil
Explore two fascinating cities and the famous Iguassu Falls in Brazil 
August 13 - 28, 2013 

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# Bogota, Zipaquirá, Boyacá and Quindío coffee region, Colombia 
September 14 to 26, 2013
Practice your Spanish over a cup of coffee in Colombia 

We would love to have you all here. 

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AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND & SOUTH PACIFIC 

# Brisbane, Bundaberg and Sunshine Coast, Australia

Encounter koalas and other wildlife in Australia
July 10 - 26, 2013

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# Sydney and Gold Coast, Australia
September 2 to 17, 2013
Take in the spectacular sights of Sydney and the Gold Coast

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# 11563 Otago and Kapiti Coast, New Zealand
Experience the Kiwi way of life with two home stays in New Zealand
October 23 to November 13, 2013  

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# 11470  Tweed Valley and Melbourne, Australia
Melbourne and Tweed Valley: Delicious food, aboriginal culture, museums and more! 
October 25 - November 9, 2013 

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Discover Trips for Club Expansions

Discover Trips have been organized to take groups to areas where Friendship Force wishes to establish clubs. They are open to Friendship Force members from any country. Ambassadors stay in hotels but meet with local people interested in forming new clubs.

See Discover Panama trip details on Exchanges page. 

Michael Wald, of the Dallas club, will lead a trip to Panama May 15-24, 2013. FULL.

# Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and Austria

September 24 - October 8, 2013

Explore five countries of Central Europe
Encounter Central Europe's castles and cathedrals, gorgeous landscapes, museums and waterways. Come meet the people and experience a part of Europe you may have been missing. This region is especially known for its musical treasures. We will meet with locals to introduce the concept of the Friendship Force, and we will enjoy two nights of home hosting with FF Bratislava in Slovakia. See Catalog.

See Black Sea Area - Russia/Ukraine - Asia

Partial Discover exchange.

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# Make a difference in Uganda
Kampala and Kalungu, Uganda
June 12 - 25, 2013

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Humanitarian Mission to the Western Sahara  

See the Saharawan Aid Trust website for details, www.saharawanaidtrust.com!

A visit to the Sahara was made in July 2011. Others will be planned in future.

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Festivals and Global Exchanges

More will be announced as they are scheduled. See American/Canadian exchanges that are open to all.

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More plans are in the making and will be announced shortly. 

From Cottbus you will take a beautiful and scenic train ride to Varel in Friesland on the German coast of the Northern Sea…

Week 2 (June 9 – 16, 2012) Friendship Force of Varel
Varel has a population of 25,000 and is located on a small bight on the south of the Northern Sea. You will enjoy a far horizon, green meadows and dikes dotted with sheep. Outings will include trips to:

Exchange Fee
Approximately $1,300 USD (includes FFI Fees, Host Fees, transportation between the clubs, language lessons and printed material, transportation to day trips, entry fees and lunches). See the pricing details.
We hope that you will accept our invitation to get to know our land and language. We believe the most important thing is that you have fun on this exchange, and you will improve your German without trying!
We look forward to meeting you!
In friendship,
Sabine Abraham (FF Cottbus) and Birgit Wagner (Varel)
The deadline to apply is February 1, 2013. Get an application from FFI Program Coordinator Barbara at bstonebrink@ thefriendshipforce.org 

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Eco-Adventure Tours

Dave Kalan: As the Exchange Director for the USA Eco-Exchange, I invite you to consider and promote our eco-exchanges as they are introduced.

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Cruise

Spring 2013 Enrichment Voyage: Europe

Read more about Enrichment Voyages on the Semester at Sea website.

Embark on a cultural voyage! Friendship Force has again partnered with Semester At Sea, arranging a special rate for Friendship Force members to participate in next spring's Enrichment Voyage around Europe and North Africa.

Enrichment Voyages offer a unique opportunity to discover new places and cultures. While at sea, learn about culture, history and the environment in Enrichment Sessions led by an expert faculty. At ports-of-call, choose from a variety of shore excursions. Where possible, FFI will arrange day hosting activities with local Friendship Force members.

Join any of three segments of the Spring 2013 Enrichment Voyage. Over 70 Friendship Force members are already signed up for one or more segments. Space is limited so act fast. See itinerary details.

For price information, questions and registration, contact Laura Romero: lromero@thefriendshipforce.org. +1 404-965-4353.

For more opportunities to explore the world with the Friendship Force, visit the World of Friends catalog: www.thefriendshipforce.org OR www.facebook.com/friendshipforce

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