Hostelling International

IOU Respect is a program that was established by Hosteling International after 9/11. Representatives from the different HI associations met together to discuss the apparent need for greater cultural understanding between people from Western countries and those of predominantly Muslim countries. And what better way to bridge that gap than by creating an annual program that brings together youth from these countries for a full week of cross-cultural exchange.

The year that I participated it was hosted in Chicago (one of my favorite cities in the world!). Participants from the U.S., France, Germany, Tunisia, and Egypt arrived at the hostel excited and unsure about what they had gotten themselves into. The itinerary went as follows: In the mornings we would attend workshops where we would talk about our different cultures, the perceived differences, and if these differences actually meant something. Then at night we would have free time to explore and even partake in some city excursions.

Engaging in different ice-breaking activities while exploring Chicago as a group turned out to be a lot of fun. We got to go up the Skydeck (previously called the Sears Tower), listen to music in the park, go on a scavenger hunt throughout the city, visit Cedar lake, etc. My favorite among the activities was when we got to go to the Green Mill Lounge, a jazz club that Al Capone used to frequent. The music over there was fabulous as was the swing dancing!

While our outings provided light-hearted fun, the workshops were a more serious time for engaging in discussion. In fact, the workshops were at times really intense. People would get into passionate discussions about politics, stereotypes, and in particular religion. During the religion session, there was a really uncomfortable moment where a participant insinuated that it’s silly that in some people’s tiny little minds there is a man controlling things on Earth, a.k.a. God. However, the instant they said it, they realized that regardless of people’s beliefs it’s not necessary to to refer to them as people with”tiny little minds”. This moment reminded us all that albeit our personal beliefs it’s still important to be respectful of others, and not patronizing.

Throughout the workshops there were definitely some moments of unease like during the religion workshop, but because of the positive environment for discussion that we had created, we left those workshops with a better understanding of ourselves and our peers. By becoming friends and constantly working on maintaining an environment of respect and open-mindedness we were able to get past the things that separated us, and find common ground.

It was a positive life changing experience for me and I highly recommend taking up the opportunity to participate in this incredible program!

Do you have an insatiable, voracious appetite for discussion, exploration and debate ? Are you genuinely curious about other people, cultures and ideas ? Then hurry up !

This program actually offers you all this, the most stimulating and heart warming holidays you will ever have, with outings, games and free time to balance out the serious discussions, all this, for the very modest price of nothing. (well maybe a small contribution for transport)

As an added bonus, provided you get along, you will have also acquired an international circle of life long friends ready to host you in their home countries. What's not to like ?

If you aren't already scrolling down to apply for this wonderful adventure, there's something wrong with you.

I participated in IOU Respect in 2012 and think that this youth exchange is an experience for a lifetime. It showed me how easy it is to break obstacles dividing us and change them into bridges to unite us if we only get together and talk about what we think. Those two weeks with people from 6 different countries give a lot of time and space to understand, discuss and live all the similarities and differences we have. It's not about agreeing on everything the others say, but on respecting and learning about the other's opinion, thoughts and beliefs. To me, language obstacles were never an issue and you always have three other participants from your country plus a teamer to help you in case you didn't understand or don't know how to express your thoughts in a foreign language. The experience isn't limited to only 14 days: I am still in contact with several of the other participants of my year which proof to be enriching and valuable every day.

We spent a lot of time together, had religious, political, cultural difference-discussions and had great exchanges this way. Community activities were a great part of the programme as well, so that we could be and experience new things together as a intercultural group.
Language burdens didn't seem an issue, but for me it was still difficult to articulate myself sometimes and make my point if view understood.
All in all it was awesome experience and I am very happy I was part of it!!

It's been 5 years since my experience, and I still can't put into words how wonderful my time in Morocco was. We had discussions about race, gender, sexuality, culture, politics, communication, food, you name it. No matter the differences between us, it was great conversations and experiences with great people. On our off time, we got to see a beautiful country full of life. It makes me sad that I am no longer in the age group for this experience. I would go back in a heartbeat.