Melody Day

October 27th, 2015

Hostelling International Article
Cover Quote:
The best part of working here is that theres never a dull moment. Theres always
something going on.
When most people think of going on vacation, they picture four-star hotels perched on the shores
of tropical islands. Perhaps they imagine exotic destinations, filled with unique experiences, but ultimately a
place where they can return to their hotel at night and relax in the isolation of their own rooms. However,
many of the more adventurous individuals choose to reside in hostels. Hostels are more-or-less budget
versions of hotels, the only difference being that most rooms are dorm rooms. This allows for guests to
interact with one another while learning how to coexist in smaller spaces. The downside to hostels is that
security is not as, well,
secure,
and sometimes the rooms are rather unhygienic. However, Hostelling
International has brought higher - and cleaner - standards to the table.
Hostelling International (HI) is a non-profit organization that consists of 4,000 hostels in 90
different countries. Founded in 2006, HI has since developed a philosophy that sets them apart from all
other similar organizations. Their mission is to promote the education of all young people of all nations,
but especially young people of limited means, by encouraging in them a greater knowledge, love and care of
the countryside and an appreciation of the cultural values of towns and cities in all parts of the world, and
as ancillary thereto to provide hostels or other accommodation in which there shall be no distinction of
race, nationality, colour, religion, sex, class, or political opinions and thereby to develop a better
understanding of their fellow men, both at home and abroad (HI Hostels). In simpler words, HI aims to
educate individuals about different cultures in an anti-discriminatory environment. The hostels try to
accomplish this goal by hosting community events such as weekly barbecues and pasta dinners. These
activities are generally cheap and allow for the hostel guests and staff members to interact and talk about
themselves and their past travel experiences. Examples of larger events include International Night mixers,
where students from around the world come to present about their cultures and Girl Scout overnights,

where troops come to spend the night and prepare multinational meals for the guests. The latter is
especially beneficial because it helps girls to become more culturally aware at a younger age.
Generally, the hostels are placed in diverse and inspiring places. All of HIs locations have good
price values, quality standards, a safe environment, and friendly surroundings. Additionally, since HI is a
non-profit, all money earned is cycled back into the hostels to make the experience better for guests. All
ages are encouraged to stay, seeing as there is no age discrimination policy, and, most importantly, HI
hostels are sustainable and eco-friendly. In fact, HI Point Loma, one of HIs two locations in San Diego,
won #4 Greenest Hostel in the World (HI Hostels). Staci, an employee at the Point Loma hostel, says, A
lot of hostels are sustainable, so they try and find renewable sources, like for us, using our great water
system. A lot of hostels dont use paper products and they use eco-friendly cleaners, whereas a lot of
industrial hotels and some other hostels use chemical-type cleaners or things that arent necessarily
eco-friendly. HI hopes to encourage their guests to follow their example. At the Point Loma hostel, their
biggest endeavours go towards conserving water, seeing as California is in a drought. Composting scraps
from dinner has also become part of the everyday routine.
Overseeing these green processes is Staci, the lead housekeeper at HI Point Loma. She cleans the
55 beds that the hostel has to offer, washes and dries all of the laundry (and, trust me - thats a lot), and
does everything in her power to keep the hostel spick and span. Other duties include occasionally being in
charge of the front desk, which entails booking rooms, answering guests questions, and giving tours of the
hostel. She is a native San Diegan, born and raised in Chula Vista, and, like many Californians, loves to
surf. Staci says with a shrug, Its kind of a culture thing here in San Diego. Having worked at HI for four
years, she certainly knows a lot about culture.
At the moment, she is trying to disperse the stigma of hostels. According to her, People think of
the horror movie, Hostel, and they think that its like that, when in all actuality, its not even close.
Sometimes, especially for this hostel, since we dont allow alcohol, some younger kids, you know, 21 and

up, dont necessarily want to stay here because of that reason. Needless to say, alcohol and Hostel pose
as a slight roadblock for the growth of HI. The most common group of guests is age 18 to 30, so the
majority of them are of legal drinking age and many would prefer to have their beverages inside the hostel.
However, while drinking alcohol inside is taboo, there are no rules against drinking
outside of the hostel.
As for the horror movie, Hostel, HIs positive advertising and warm environment are sure to overcome
any unrealistic fears that the movie provokes.
Nevertheless, stigmas aside, traveling is important and hostels allow those who are on a budget to
visit new areas. In Stacis own words, Traveling is absolutely necessary. If you dont, you just dont expand
yourself to other people around the world, to different cultures. You dont get that background at all if you
dont go to different countries, so it leaves you very narrow-minded at times. This narrow-mindedness is
almost synonymous with ethnocentrism, which is the belief that ones culture is superior to any others.
While a healthy dose of ethnocentrism is good for the preservation of each culture, too much can tip the
scales. History has shown that Western supremacists have tried to globalize other cultures, at times
intentionally and other times unintentionally, by introducing new technology, new religions, new languages,
and new governments. Today, this process of globalization is still occurring, and many cultural
communities are standing strong and making efforts to conserve their ways of life. Anyone can be a part of
that effort as well, as long as they have a degree of respect for all people. Staci agrees, adding, In general,
just people being educated on social change and wanting to be a part of that social change, whether it be in
a conservative or social matter, would help so much. By staying in HI hostels, individuals are contributing
to a resolution.
If someone really wanted to make a large impact on the issue, or any issue, for that matter, Staci
recommends doing a lot of research before getting involved. Know the facts and what youre getting into.
Be involved in an issue youre passionate about. If ethnocentrism sparks that passion, HI is open to
volunteers. If we want to be more community-based, we really have to invite more of the community in

to get to know us better.... So, if you know anyone who would be willing to volunteer here, we are here.
They welcome adults and high schoolers, but require that high school students get permission from their
school. As a teenage former intern and current volunteer at HI Point Loma, myself, I can guarantee that
the experience is one of a kind. Throughout my time at the hostel, Ive encountered Irish students
searching for summer jobs, Australian surfer dudes who wanted to know where the best waves were, sweet
German couples who spoke very little English, Korean students on holiday, and typical American families
hailing from the Midwest. Everyday there was scintillating conversation filled with debates and questions
about other travelers experiences. I found myself chatting with many of them as the days passed, getting
sad when they had to leave, and then meeting new people. It was a culturally-enriching cycle that helped
me to travel the world without actually leaving San Diego. If that is the volunteer experience you are
looking for, then HI is for you.
As Staci prepares to return to her duties, she stands up and smiles. She loves her job and her
fondness can be heard in her voice when she says, The best part of working here is that theres never a
dull moment. Theres always something going on. And as guests cook something that smells like heaven
and as excited chatter fills the air, I believe it.
-

Melody Day