How to Make Penpals Online

Having a pen pal widens your world.

Having a pen pal is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to discover other parts of the world. With a pen pal, you can master a new language; learn about another country's culture, exchange ideas and even stamps. Many websites offer services where, once you are registered, you can post your own advertisement for a pen pal, or choose from the many different pen pals already on the site.

Instructions

Students of the World

1. Register by going to studentsoftheworld.info and click on "insert your ad." Enter your first name, date of birth and country of origin. Choose your known languages and your hobbies. If you have a blog, there is a box to enter it here too and also an optional questionnaire about your preferences. Also optional is a box for a comment you would like to make.

2. Click "register." You will be given a unique reference number and a student of the world email address.

3. Place your own advertisement or choose from the list of countries and possible pen pals. You can filter your search by sex, age, hobbies, languages etc. Once you choose a pen pal, you will be asked for your password and your reference number or your email address.

4. Contact your chosen pen pal by clicking on the "contact me" button at the top of your chosen pen pal's page. Your replies will come into your Student Of The World mailbox.

PenPal World

1. Register by going to penpalworld.com and enter your email address. An activation email will be sent to you.

2. Click on the link emailed to you. Once you log in, enter up to 500 words about yourself.

3. Choose the age bracket for your pen pal.

4. Choose the sex of your pen pal. You are then given the option of uploading a photo.

5. Click on "find penpals" in the top navigation bar on the site which brings up various different search levels to choose from.

6. Click on "find penpals."

7. Click on "see my profile" of the pen pals who interest you. You can send a message to your desired pen pal or leave a comment. Your replies go straight to your personal email account unless you upgrade to a VIP account.

InterPals

1. Register on interpal.net by entering a user name, your email address, password, date of birth, sex and country. An activation email will be sent to your address. Click on the link.

2. Fill out your profile, adding your languages and what kind of friend you are looking for.

3. Upload a photo. Your profile is now complete.

4. Search by age range, sex, type of pen pal and countries. A list will be brought up.

5. Leave a message for your chosen pen pal by clicking on "leave a message." Any messages for you will go to your message inbox on the site.

Tips & Warnings

• There are also snail mail options. Students of the World charge a small fee for this.

• Register by going to studentsoftheworld.info/penpals/insc_public.php3 and entering your first name, date of birth and country of origin. Choose your languages and your hobbies, your preferred sex and countries. There is also an option to click whether you'd like unexpected pen pals, an option that allows you to be selected at random by the computer. Click on "Ok - register." You will be asked to confirm you want to join and asked to pay an annual subscription. Students of the World then match you to other pen pals and send you a maximum of four addresses.

• Some pen pal websites double as dating sites, so be clear about what you're looking for.

References

• Students of the World: E-mail penpals
• Penpal World
• Interpals Penpals

Resources

• Students of the World: Aim and Ambition of our Association