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a group of young people from 5 Western and Arab countries sit discussing cultural similarities and differences during Hostelling International's IOU Respect program

Educational Programs

Travel is learning by doing. Meeting people from places you haven’t (yet) visited. Diving head-first into novel experiences. Tasting different flavors. Learning about other cultures. And learning about yourself along the way.

HI USA’s mission is to help all gain a greater understanding about the world and its people through hostelling. We offer unique experiential learning opportunities to travelers, so they can learn about themselves while gaining a deeper understanding of the world around them.

In 2018, we were honored when the United Nations World Tourism Organization recognized HI USA as a world leader in travel-focused learning programs. We have been integrating education into our hostel stays and activities for decades, and we strive each year to make our offerings even more meaningful. Today, each of our programs is designed to align with the Association of American of Colleges and University VALUE rubrics in intercultural knowledge and competence, civic engagement, and global learning.

And because the hostel stay is our widest-reaching program, we apply the same care to designing it: we’ve put intentional thought into designing our hostel spaces, activities, and amenities, so they create the perfect setting for guests to interact with fellow travelers, share perspectives, and their own worldviews. For groups, particularly school groups, our hostels serve as “travel classrooms,” providing endless, organic opportunities for learning about other people, places, and cultures.

You can join HI USA's virtual educational programming from anywhere with internet.

HI USA Virtual Events

Discover new places, explore cultures and appreciate diversity — online! HI USA virtual events cover timely topics like BIPOC travel experiences, women traveling solo, travel planning tips, and of course, hostelling. Join the fun, from game nights and presentations to interactive conversations.

Go Virtual

Our Signature Educational Programs

IOU Respect

IOU Respect is a two-week intensive cultural exchange program bringing together participants from six counties in order to explore their cultural differences and appreciate their undeniable similarities. HI USA, along with its sister organizations in France, Germany, Egypt, Lebanon, and Tunisia developed this unique program in an effort to bridge divides after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

This deep-dive program is professionally facilitated, with discussions and group learning exercises designed to foster attitudes of mutual respect, understanding, and tolerance while helping participants hone their skills in intercultural communication. Over the course of the program, participants form long-lasting friendships that span countries and cultures.

Applications for our 2022 IOU Respect program are now closed. Please subscribe to our “Programs and Events” mailing list to be alerted when applications for the next IOU Respect program open.

Travel Scholarships

We believe travel is a great teacher, but we know that not everyone has the financial means to make it possible. That’s why each year, HI USA offers two life-changing scholarship programs for young Americans who might not otherwise have the opportunity to travel. For novice travelers, Explore America offers $1,500 travel awards and 4-7 free overnight stays in select HI USA hostels across the country. Explore the World awards $2,000 scholarships to help young adults finance international trips incorporating a service or educational component.

Valued Voices

Valued Voices is an on-demand immersive two-day program designed to help participants engage with members of their community around timely social issues. HI USA provides a trained facilitator to lead a series of dialogues and interactive workshops exploring the program topic with participants. It’s a unique opportunity to explore sensitive, timely topics in a safe space and find common ground between differing perspectives. For more information on Valued Voices, please contact education@hiusa.org.

Say HI for Peace

Each year on September 21, HI USA (along with a growing number of HI hostels around the world) celebrates the UN’s International Day of Peace by hosting intercultural exchange activities in our hostels and in their surrounding communities. We call this annual program “Say HI for Peace” in recognition of hostelling’s power to facilitate the intercultural interactions that lead to the spread of tolerance. Through Say HI for Peace programming, we encourage our guests and community members to reflect on how each one of them is empowered to promote tolerance and understanding in the world through their own actions. We are honored that this has become a worldwide initiative supported by the UNWTO.