Free: All time (Annual membership required; fee varies per country)
Amongst all the different hospitality exchange organizations, Servas is the oldest, by far. Founded in 1949 by Bob Luitweiler as a peace movement, Servas International now expands to over 100 countries. It is an international, non-governmental, multicultural peace association that operates through a network of hosts and travellers. Unlike other hospitality exchange networks, Servas requires that potential members be interviewed and approved. Decisions on activities (like meetings, election of representatives, feed required) are taken within local, national or international assemblies or from an elected group of members. Basically, each Servas country has its own committee and has slightly different fees associated. As of recently, there are only over 16,000 Servas ‘open doors’ scattered throughout almost every country in the world. It is due to its more conservative policy. However, a smaller community also means a tighter, closely-knitted, and safer one.
Website: www.servas.org
Photo credit: Servas Youth
