Information on Penfriends

Pen friends offer an inexpensive opportunity to learn more about your world.

Pen friends are a convenient way to meet people from countries around the world. Pen friends can also provide an opportunity for military workers to connect with each other, as well as with the civilian community. Having a pen friend offers a chance to learn more about the world around you by introducing you to different languages, cultures and people.

History

The pen friend program was promoted by the 1933 World's Fair.

The concept of a pen friend has been around since the early 20th century. A Swedish family takes historical credit for coining the term "penfriends" during the 1920s. The term was used again in Seattle, Washington, as a way for large social groups to write to people overseas. The 1933 World's Fair promoted the pen friend program as a way to internationally communicate with people. Many students often get involved in a pen friend program during grade school; however, the concept of a pen friend expands into adulthood.

Significance

A pen friend offers an opportunity to learn, understand and communicate with someone.

If you're looking to practice your language skills, learn about a country or understand more about a culture, then having an international pen friend will give you an opportunity to practice and learn. If you're a language student, having a pen friend is an inexpensive way to interact with other language learners. If you're looking to provide moral support to military workers, then having a military pen friend provides an opportunity for you to communicate your thoughts and concerns with the people in the military.

How It Works

Pen friends allow for global communication.

You can choose whether to communicate with your pen friend either by email or postal mail. If you're seeking an international pen friend, then there are Internet sites offering family friendly correspondence to other people around the world. You can pick which person to communicate with based upon your similar hobbies and interests. If you have an interest with the military, then a military pen friend can offer you opportunities to converse with military personnel deployed overseas.

Benefits

Pen friends may use air mail to communicate.

If you are a language learner, then an international pen friend provides a chance to practice communication skills and learn about a culture, the native foods and the currencies associated with the country and language you are learning about and researching. In addition, a military pen friend allows civilians to show support of the armed services. Sending a care package to a military pen friend is what many civilians do to show their appreciation for the military troops deployed overseas. Pen friends provide a chance to develop a life-long friendship with someone.

Warnings

Avoid paying for a pen friend.

Legitimate pen friend sites do not charge a fee for any services. These sites are free. It is good to stay away from any phishing sites which search for your personal information such as your social security number, checking account or credit card account numbers. Phishing sites often ask you for this personal information. It is highly encouraged to avoid giving this information to such sites, as these sites are often a scam and should get ignored.

References

• The History of the International Pen Friends Program
• Global Pen Friends: Postal Pen Friends and Email Pen Pals
• Military Pen Pals: Connecting Military Friends Around the World

Resources

• The History of the International Pen Friends Program