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About Friends Overseas

Friends Overseas is a meet-the-people activity for Americans visiting Australia or the Scandinavian countries of Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden. It's getting to know the people that makes a trip truly memorable and exciting, and we make that possible by introducing visitors to local residents. And of course it doesn't stop with a single trip - many of our introductions have led to long-term friendships and return visits.

How does it work?

Visitors:
When you join Friends Overseas, you let us know a few things about yourself (including your particular interests) and the details of your trip itinerary. We then provide you with names of contacts who will be available on the dates you'll be in their areas. They might meet you in town for coffee or tea, invite you to their homes, or show you around their area for a few hours - it's up to you and your contacts to decide, via email or letter, what suits you best.

Be curious - ask about the things that interest you, such as local politics, schools, shopping and transport. They'll be able to tell you things the guidebooks can't!

Residents:
When you join Friends Overseas, you let us know a few things about yourself, including your interests, when you'll be available to meet visitors, and what kind of people you'd like to meet. We then put you in touch with visitors who'll be coming to your area. It's up to you what you offer - coffee in town, a visit to your home, a trip around the sights.

Joining Friends Overseas

The first step to joining Friends Overseas is to obtain an application form from one of our offices.

If you're an American planning a trip to Australia, or you live in Australia and would like to meet visiting Americans, see 'FO Australia' for details of how to obtain your application form.

If you're an American planning a trip to Denmark, Finland, Norway or Sweden, or you live in one of those countries and would like to meet visiting Americans, see 'FO Scandinavia' for details of how to obtain your application form.

Note - Friends Overseas exists solely to put visitors in contact with local residents. We can't help with travel or accommodation arrangements.

Who runs Friends Overseas?


Ann Whyte and Larry Eisner

Friends Overseas was founded in 1972 by Larry Eisner. Now retired, Larry worked for 30 years as a guidance counsellor at the East Northport Middle School in Northport, NY. Today Larry runs Friends Overseas Scandinavia.

Friends Overseas Australia was founded in 1991 by Ann Whyte, who continues to run it today. Now retired, Ann worked for Pan American and British Airways in New York, and has family connections in Australia.

For inquiries, email us at inquiries@friendsoverseas.org (please include 'FO' in the subject line).

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