Preparing Servas for Future Growth

by Lisa Gariépy Aiken

Prior to our departure, we personalized over one thousand donated world population maps with stickers promoting Servas, and I created and photocopied 500 little booklets about Servas which were folded by fellow Massachusetts Servas members at a dinner we hosted. These freebies and other promotional materials prepared months earlier were loaded into our minivan. On Saturday, November 15^th, eager to share Servas with the 5,000 members expected to attend this event, Tom and I set off for Louisiana.  

Along the way, we overnighted with generous Servas members. In Pennsylvania, our hosts Bill Magargal and Marie Spodek showed us their beautiful fiber art creations and gave us a tour of their vibrant retirement community. In North Carolina, Leena shared her Gujrati culture with wonderful meals and conversation. In Georgia, we laughed and chatted over a delicious Thai meal with Angela and Kevin Coffey. In Mississippi, we had great discussions about living in that area with Gail Barton who introduced us to her lovely pets.

Esther DeJong & Harley Winer, our New Orleans hosts, went above and beyond making our stay comfortable and easy while we were tabling at the convention. We are extremely grateful for all these wonderful people who hosted us along our journey.

As a retired foreign language teacher, I hadn’t been to an ACTFL convention in 38 years and wasn’t exactly certain what current teacher gatherings were all about. All I knew was that language teachers are my people and that I would be preaching to the choir if I could explain what Servas is in a short amount of time. This is no small feat if you know all that our organization does. We are not only a peace organization focusing on homestays and travel, Servas has many opportunities for its members, including participation at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women meetings, volunteering at Peace Schools around the world, and involvement with Servas artists, to name a few.

The convention attendees included traditional foreign language instructors of all levels, from preschool through adult learners, as well as administrators, consultants and teachers of English as a Second Language and American Sign Language. We came to recognize that the other 160 exhibit hall vendors of all types of products were also potential future Servas members.  

As we spoke with people during the three-day event, we learned more about our audience. Most people including vendors were from the United States; however, to our surprise, there were many attendees from four other continents. Perhaps Servas will also have an increase in membership in other member countries as a result of our efforts?  

We were astonished that not a single person out of the hundreds we spoke with had heard of Servas. Once they understood the concept of Servas, people were amazed that such an organization exists. They could see how a Servas membership could be useful in their own lives, those of their own children, and those of their students.

There was such enthusiasm that a few people came back to the table to let us know that they texted their young adult child about the SYLE (Servas Youth Language Experience) program and already heard back that their child intends to join. We hope our efforts at the convention will be fruitful to meet our goals of increasing membership.  

The convention ended yesterday, and we still needed time to digest the many conversations and takeaways. I plan to circle back in a future newsletter article with updates from this event.

By Tim Sullivan

My spouse, Charlotte and I had the great opportunity to attend the Servas international conference (SICOGA) in Dijon, France this October. We planned a little time before and after the conference to visit a few other countries. We started in Ireland and worked our way through Wales and England, into France, then down to Spain and we flew home out of Lisbon.

One of the fun things we love to do is taste all the special food dishes from each area we visit. We took photos and wrote stories to send to our families and friends. The real purpose of this article is not to talk about the food we experienced but to advocate for Servas travelers to take advantage of Day Hosts. We did stay with five or six overnight hosts but in many communities, we stayed in hotels. One of the great joys of Servas is getting to know local people who always lead us to experiences that we would never find if we stayed in hotels. Day hosts are a great opportunity to do just that. They love to show off their communities and they always seem to be really interesting people. 

In The Basque City of San Sebastian, we connected with two different families of day hosts. Our first evening Marijo showed us around her lovely city and of course shared a meal with us. It was great fun trying a bit of local Basque food and wine.

Late the next afternoon Anouk picked us up and took us to completely different parts of the city including several mysterious places that housed ‘Secret Gastronomical Societies’. These are private groups that come together on a regular basis to cook food and enjoy their friend’s company. That evening she and her spouse Juan invited us to the ‘Secret Gastronomic Society’ they belong to. Now, what's the chances we would have been invited to this gathering if we had not connected with Day Hosts? You can see from the attached photo that we had a great time getting to know this group of friends. They meet every week with 10 to 15 friends to eat together, usually small bites of their favorite foods. This night we had the opportunity to taste many Basque Country food favorites, wine and a local sparkling cider.

So maybe the next time you're staying in a hotel in a new city. Check and see if there is a day host in town and possibly you too will get invited to a secret society.

by Tim Lynch

Back in 2003, I promised my lovely, newly married French bride Régine that I’d show her America. Fast forward to 2025—promise kept! We packed up, hit the gas, and completed a 141-day, 14,500-mile odyssey (April 20–Sept 14) across the U.S. and Eastern Canada. In the immortal words of Simon & Garfunkel, we went “Off to look for America”—and, good news, we actually found it. Spoiler: it’s as exciting and inviting as advertised.

What made it unforgettable?

Of course, the showstoppers were the American National Parks—each one a world-class natural cathedral. But honestly, in these chaotic and turbulent times, the biggest gift was rediscovering the kindness, laughter, and joy people carry around like spare change. And most specifically a huge shout-out to our SERVAS hosts, who for 21 of those days welcomed and revived we road weary vagabonds like long-lost family members with bottomless hospitality.

Our Travel Anthem 

We took our cue from Walt Whitman’s Song of the Open Road (1856):

“Afoot and light-hearted I take to the open road,

Healthy, free, the world before me,

The long brown path before me leading wherever I choose.”

Whitman said he doesn’t ask for good fortune—he is good fortune. We figured that was as good a travel motto as any.

Along the Way, We Became…

Adopted grandparents to sweet Vivee & Cameron—courtesy of the delightful Megan and Colin King in Albuquerque, NM (April 26–28). Little did they know, they spoiled and filled us with hugs and road-trip stories. Potluck pilgrims thanks to the radiant Tashima Wildrose, who swept us into her meditation circle and community feast in Santa Fe, NM (April 29–May 2). Inner peace plus casseroles = winning combo. Resurrected travelers when Carole Putnam welcomed us to her heaven in Fresno, CA (May 27–29). We all joined Shawn Joost for an evening that was refreshing like a “spa treatment,” only with friendship, food, song and laughter. Surfside philosophers-therapist with Larry Soll— He transfixed us with his life of the quintessential California surfer-dude-musician—in Trinidad, CA (June 17–20). We didn’t quite hang ten, but we nodded like pros. Home builders (and we the admirers) with Christine and Alan Amdahl in Sioux Falls, SD (July 11–13). Their stunning new builds—and equally stunning hospitality—made us feel like long-lost cousins who’d finally shown up. Medical marvels with Dr. Mary Winnett and her wonderful son in Minneapolis–St. Paul (July 17–20).  Healing stories, heartwarming conversations, and shared lives that made our road to and their presence feel like we’d arrived home. Sauna daredevils with Andrea and Andre Welz in Sault Ste. Marie, Canada (July 22–25) intimately brought us into their amazing world.  Picture this: roasting in a wood-fired sauna, then launching ourselves into Lake Superior. Shock, awe, and a few shrieks. Worth every goosebump. 14,500+ miles. Dozens of kind souls. A suitcase full of memories. And yes, Régine has now officially seen America.

by Bill Magargal

Editor’s Note: Deet Lewis is a long-time US Servas host now in her nineties whom Marie and I met in 1998 when she first visited us in Nebraska. She visited us several times in Nebraska and kept inviting us to visit her in Antigua, Guatemala where she has lived since 1993. Finally, in 2013, we did. The photos below are a few that we took during our wonderful visit there. Although Deet’s apartment is too small for overnight hosting, she is a wonderful day host and can give many tips about what to do and see in Guatemala. Below is a recent note from Deet inviting travelers to visit her in Antiqua.

I think you know that I talk to everyone (who might be a foreigner) every morning in the central park.  Today I met my first Greek family and a couple from Utah and Alaska. And yesterday, I took my friend (Sara Diamond) to the Chabad for a delicious Shabbat meal (the rabbi's wife's family is from Morocco, so the food is FABULOUS!) Sara took this photo of me (below) in front of my house and garden (mainly weeds, but also lettuce, spinach and lemongrass -- for a delicious herbal tea!)

I invite you to visit me (and a beautiful town in a marvelous country) in the winter ... especially if you live in a cold place.   I came here 32 years ago to spend one Chicago winter in a warmer place ...  and stayed ... other than birthing my wonderful, beautiful children, the best thing I ever did!

By Joanne Ferguson Cavanaugh

Last year fellow Nebraskan, Jacqueline Barnhardt, and I volunteered at the Uganda Peace School. We highly recommend that you consider doing the same! Either there, or at another Peace School  

During the event we connected with David Kabambo from Servas Tanzania to arrange a cultural exchange Servas Safari. During the safari we visited a village on Lake Victoria, had a safari in the Serengeti, visited a local business where disabled men build tricycles for other mobility challenged citizens, visited girls' schools that David has relationships with, and did art with a local artist. We had wonderful cultural experiences while also having a positive impact on the local community.  Prossy, the organizer of the Peace School also organized a tour of Uganda, and to Lake M’Buro on the border of Tanzania where we met David Kabambo.   

If you would like a similar experience, consider volunteering for Uganda's second peace school from the 25th-30th August 2025 in the village of Buyoga (see Open Doors article about this)

by Neil Mooney & Vallerie Chun

For decades, my business and personal travels took me across five continents, immersing me in diverse cultures and forging deep connections. Yet, it wasn’t until my recent journey through France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany as a two-year newbie member of this organization that I truly grasped the magic of travel with Servas. Over twelve nights, my partner Valerie Chun and I, both from Tallahassee, Florida, embarked on an adventure that transcended sightseeing. We traveled with purpose, anchored in meaningful human connections.

Our trip was a balance of stays with four Servas hosts and at three Airbnb's. This allowed us to experience both local hospitality and independent exploration. The generosity and warmth we encountered from our hosts reinforced the organization’s mission of fostering peace through cultural exchange.

Our first hosts, a couple in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, reached out just before our departure, asking for our arrival details. This was surprising, as we had never received their accommodation offer. Nevertheless, their enthusiasm was undeterred, and they insisted we cancel our hotel booking to stay with them instead. Their hospitality exceeded all expectations.

We arrived early after a long flight into Frankfurt. They welcomed us with a cheese, sausage, and German bread luncheon feast before leading us on an 8-kilometer walk through their historic town. Dinner that evening was another spectacular affair, featuring homegrown ingredients and organic produce from a farm where they volunteer. Conversation stretched late into the night, covering everything from culture to politics to gardening. The next morning, after yet another lavish meal, they pressed three bottles of homemade jam into our hands as parting gifts. With warm hugs, we set off for the Vosges region of France and returned late that night to another welcoming German home in the Saarland.

Visiting a WWII concentration camp in the Vosges provided a poignant reminder of the very purpose behind Servas—promoting peace and understanding across borders. Later that day, our Saarland Servas hosts welcomed us into a beautiful home they had partially built themselves, complete with wooden floors, walls, and ceilings. Though their work commitments limited their time with us, we shared a memorable two evenings, cooking them a Southern U.S. Gulf of Mexico classic— seafood and grits. It was a delightful exchange of cultures over home-cooked food.

After a few days of independent travel in France, we arrived in Lille, where another extraordinary Servas experience awaited. Our hosts, equally as generous as our German friends, treated us to a “simple” French peasant meal—steak in cream sauce served over magnificent pomme frites, fresh bread, and an incredible cheese platter for dessert.  During dessert they shared their emphatic commitment to Servas’ mission of peace promotion. The next day, they joined us on an extensive walking tour of Lille’s historic center.

They then invited us to observe a Servas interview for two prospective new members—an exceptionally talented multiracial and multilingual couple about to embark on a 15-month world journey. Valerie and I are a multiracial couple too, so diversity certainly abounded. The interview unfolded in a unique way: musically. The couple were buskers, and for the first time Valerie and I sang in French. In return, we were encouraged to perform a Woody Guthrie song. The musical exchange lasted over an hour, embodying the spirit of cultural integration that Servas nurtures.  

The following morning, with heartfelt double-cheek kisses all around, we set off for Belgium, en route to our final Servas stop in Limburg, Netherlands. Our Dutch host had planned an unforgettable day, balancing history, adventure, and cuisine. We toured monastic schools and breweries, explored an underground coal mine, visited two different centuries-old bakeries, and dined on dishes from the former Dutch colonies. The legacy of war was prominent in Limburg as well, where Germany’s Siegfried Line’s dragon’s teeth presented a stark contrast to France’s Maginot Line in Alsace-Lorraine.

The remainder of our trip took us through Belgium, Luxembourg, and additional German cities, but it was our Servas encounters that truly defined our journey. These experiences were not just highlights; they were the heart and soul of our adventure. Servas has shown Valerie and me a new way to travel—not just as visitors, but as participants in a global community dedicated to peace and cultural understanding. After all these years, I can’t help but ask: Servas, where have you been all my life?

Today we see more and more women, solo female adventurers, taking the world by storm, embarking on the adventures of their dreams by themselves. There are several reasons why some women prefer to travel alone, even if they have people who want to go with them or not.

A few years ago, it was a bit uncommon to hear about women travelling alone, mountaineering, exploring the world with a backpack, riding a bike from one continent to another.... As a matter of fact, women have been subjected, throughout the years, to different kinds of discriminations, which sometimes makes it more challenging for a woman to go on an adventure, on her own.

In 2022, Servas International compiled a video entitled "Women Traveling Alone". The video features six Servas women travelers who enjoy travelling alone. As members of Servas, they know that, at the end of the day, they can always have the pleasure of a nice company, a warm meal or someone to talk with, as they meet other Servas members on the way. Here is a link to the Women Traveling Alone video.

By Tys Sniffen

Sometimes when you're traveling, there are situations where the classic Servas hospitality won't work. Sometimes you can't spend two nights in one place, sometimes you find that you're traveling with a larger group, sometimes maybe your family is more particular.

Photo at Left: Linh, (Servas Vietnam day host), my wife Melissa, my daughter Amelia, me, and Linh's daughter, on a hot night in a Hanoi street.

I have found that my 11-year-old will claim she needs to have a pool when we go somewhere warm, and so it's not always possible to stay with Servas hosts. Sometimes you might find that you're traveling in a place where the economic disparities are such that you don't feel comfortable leaning on the hospitality of someone who doesn't have the same resources you do.

This is where the DAY HOST concept works so well! My family's recent trip to Vietnam had the opportunity to include meeting up two different families who were DAY HOSTs. Our first hosts met us at a very typical yet upscale Vietnamese restaurant in an interesting part of Hanoi. We would not have gone there on our own as tourists. We tasted some amazing Vietnamese dishes including every part of a chicken cooked five different ways. It was lovely to spend time with this family whose 4-year-old even spoke a few words of English.

At the tail end of our trip, we managed to connect with a lovely Servas day host and her two daughters.  We went for a very typical meal on a busy sidewalk. The food was delicious and unique. They topped that by taking us to a secret dessert shop which, even as an expert traveler who loves desserts, I never would have realized was a place that sold amazing sweets. We got to try many different desserts and talked about cultures, languages, and even a little about politics.

If you find yourself traveling internationally and aren't finding hosts who can accommodate you on your dates or are traveling with circumstances that don't let you plug into the typical stay, make sure to learn about Day Hosts! Having someone who is willing to spend an afternoon or evening with you and show you around and be your friend is priceless!

by Barbara Gentile

Joining Servas for the first time in July 2024 was a truly life-changing experience. I had never heard about the organization until my boyfriend shared his experience with me. He said that his father had told him about it over 50 years ago. He clarified Servas’ mission to promote cultural exchange and understanding, and allied my fears of traveling alone and meeting “strangers.” He also recommended a host he’d met in Budapest who I eventually wound up meeting! I never anticipated the depth of connection I’d feel as I embarked on my journey.

On September 27, I boarded my flight from Los Angeles (LAX) to London Heathrow, filled with excitement. The American Airlines flight lifted off at 1:25 PM, and as the hours ticked by, I found myself reflecting on the adventure ahead. After landing in London on the morning of September 28, I quickly transferred but missed my next flight, on British Airways bound for Budapest.

I left from LAX on September 27. Unfortunately, I missed my connection to Budapest, but the anticipation of meeting my Servas hosts in Hungary kept my energy high and I suffered little travel fatigue. I landed in Budapest, on a beautiful fall day and the promise of new friendships. I made my way to my Servas hosts, Adrienn Nyul and Attila Gemesi. Both economists were a warm and welcoming couple who invited me to stay in their cozy two-bedroom apartment. I would stay in their separate living room. From the moment I arrived, I felt their passion for life. With shared interests in traveling, cycling, dancing, cooking, and sports, we immediately clicked.

Adrienn and Attila introduced me to their local world, not just as a visitor, but as part of their everyday life. They shared stories of their own travels with Servas to New Zealand, their love for Hungarian cuisine, and their adventures cycling across Europe. We spent quality time exchanging cultural insights, recommendations for local sightseeing, talking about the world economy, sharing delicious coffee and pastries. and discovering how similar our values were despite coming from opposite sides of the globe. The sense of community and understanding that Servas fosters was fully alive in those conversations.

The following day, on Sunday, September 29, I was able to arrange a dinner with another Servas member (who had hosted my boyfriend), Tamás Fazekas and his son. Fazekas, a lighting design CEO with a passion for sightseeing, art, and cooking. His knowledge of Budapest’s history and his stories of designing lighting for theaters and exhibitions were fascinating. As we explored the charming streets of Budapest, I was struck by the city’s rich history -- grand architecture and modern vibrancy. Over a delicious authentic local meal, we talked about everything from goulash and pie to art and culture to cycling to politics and excursions in the Hungarian countryside. He, too, shared his memories and experience traveling the world with Servas.

As the evening drew to a close, I realized how unique and enriching my experiences had been. I came to Budapest expecting to learn about a new culture, but what I gained was so much more—a sense of belonging, the joy of meaningful connections, and a deeper understanding of the world through the eyes of others.

My first Servas trip was more than just travel; it was a journey of the heart. It reinforced the beauty of cultural exchange and left me eager to host and continue my Servas journey, knowing that the world is full of people like Adrienn, Attila, and Tamas, all ready to open their homes and hearts to curious travelers like me.

by Paula (Giangreco) Cullison

Before our trip, I sent out an email (with my Letter of Introduction) to several SERVAS members in each of the cities on our itinerary. As luck would have it, quite a number responded that they would enjoy meeting us. Our trip to Copenhagen, Stockholm, Oslo, Bergen, and then to Iceland was AWESOME. The highlight of our trip was meeting SERVAS members. There, Gunvor Bjerre invited us for coffee and dessert at her lovely modern apartment. After giving us the royal tour of her Christianshaven neighborhood, Gunvor gifted us with a book of folk tales from Greenland which she’d compiled and published. 

Photo above - Dinner at the lovely home of Ingrid Pedersen and Bjarne Kjaer (Copenhagen - Frederiksberg district) Here also with Gunvor Bjerre (standing left) who gave us a most interesting walking tour of Christianshaven and invited us for dessert & coffee. Daniele (seated right) was visiting from Paris

SERVAS members Ingrid Pedersen and Bjarne Kjaer invited us to an awesome dinner in their art filled lovely home in charming Frederiksberg, an independent section of Copenhagen – while they were hosting Daniele from Paris. We were also invited to the summer SERVAS gathering in the communal courtyard of Gunna Starck´s apartment complex. A dozen members attended; one had met Bob Luitweiler, who was an exchange student from Bellingham, Washington, studying in Copenhagen, when he envisioned this international nonprofit in 1949.  As we are pleased to tell others - SERVAS is now in over 100 countries. While in Copenhagen, we also enjoyed Tivoli Gardens, Glypoteck Art Museum, Amalienborg Palace, and Nyhavn. 

Photo Above: In Copenhagen for the SERVAS gathering in the courtyard of Gunna Starck's home.

The weather in Stockholm was like Copenhagen’s (mid-70s F). SERVAS members Jorgen and Asa Persson invited us for lunch which they served in the communal courtyard of their historic condo complex in the Sodermalm section of Stockholm. Greta Garbo grew  up there! This once poor working-class area is now gentrified and filled with cafes, restaurants, shops, public art, small parks, and galleries. We also enjoyed the Fotografiska Museum, Nobel Prize Museum, VASA Museum, the changing of the Palace Guard, Waldemarsudde Villa of Prince Eugene, and the Ice Bar. 

Photo above: In Stockholm at the lovely home and courtyard of Jorgen and Asa Persson in the Sodermalm section

Another SERVAS member, Margareta Soderberg, met us at City Hall and walked with us along the water of Lake Mälaren which meets the Baltic Sea. A retired teacher, Margareta now teaches Swedish to immigrants. We enjoyed coffee and pastry at Mälarpaviljongen, a popular outdoor cafe. Before meeting Margareta, we took a tour of the beautiful City Hall where the Nobel dinner is held. The mosaics and art works are stunning. The setting by the water is ideal for photographs. Saturday in Stockholm is the day for civil weddings which last about 4 minutes each. Seventy couples are married then. That equates to 6 hours of hearing ‘I Do’ – Ja (Yes). One could easily spend a Saturday enjoying the parade of happily married couples.

Photo above: author with Margareta Soderberg for a leisurely afternoon  at a cafe along Lake Mälaren in Stockholm, Sweden

In Oslo, we enjoyed visiting the Kon Tiki Museum and the Vigeland Sculpture Park, Munch Museum, the Opera House and the Bibliotek. During our visit, Lisa Kara Froyland and Fredrik Felberg, two SERVAS members, were to be married at a country church in the small town of Jevnaker, located an hour north of Oslo. They invited us to the church ceremony.

Photo above: Lisa and Fredrik's wedding in Jevnaker, Norway

We took the train from Oslo to Roa where we had a nice conversation with the Station Master whose family had emigrated from Albania. He summoned a taxi for us, as Jevnaker is another 20 minutes away. Being invited to a wedding was a special treat. The aura of this historic church was magnified when the organist played Pachelbel’s Canon, and the attendees sang “Morning Has Broken” in Norwegian. 

I was honored when the groom asked me to take the group family photo after the ceremony. I stood on a bench. The minister, Lena Ros Matthiasdottir, who officiated at the lovely wedding ceremony, drove us to the bus stop in Hønefoss where we caught the bus back to Oslo. Along the way she gave us a brief history of her family’s roots which dated to the Vikings. What a wonderful day!

On the evening we arrived in Bergen we were invited to the home of SERVAS members Arne and Monika Natling for dinner. It was pouring. We took the local bus. Arne met us at the stop and walked us to their lovely home which is set on a hill with 360* views. They were also hosting Michele, a SERVAS member from Australia. We had a most enjoyable time. Monika prepared a traditional fish soup which was superb. Arne is a doctor specializing in geriatrics and Monika is a speech therapist. They both love music. Monika played the piano during our visit.

Photo above: Dinner at the home of Arne and Monika Nakling in Bergen, Norway with Michele (seated right) visiting from Australia

A shout out goes to SERVAS member Kristofer Jonatansson, who gave me good advice about Iceland, even though he would not be in Reykjavik during our visit. Iceland is Mother Nature’s wonderland with its waterfalls, glaciers, black sand beaches, volcanic rock formations, sheep and horses.