From “Travel” to “Change the World”

As a volunteer with the organisation, I sat down with its vice-president, Anja Žepič, to talk about community, volunteering and why travelling can be one of the best ways to learn about the world.

1. Hostelling International Slovenia is part of a global network of youth hostels. How would you sum up the organisation’s mission?

Hostelling International Slovenia promotes responsible, affordable and sustainable travel, while encouraging young people to play an active role in society. We see travel as much more than simply getting from one destination to another. It’s a chance to learn, grow as a person and broaden your horizons. Through travel, young people gain a better understanding of different cultures, become more open-minded and develop a stronger sense of global connection.

The youth hostel network also plays an important role in this. It offers young people affordable travel and provides a space where they can meet, share experiences and connect with others. Our mission is to create spaces, opportunities and a sense of community for young travellers. At the same time, we want to raise awareness of the impact travel has on the environment and society and encourage more responsible choices. At the heart of everything we do is the idea that travel can be a force for positive change.

2. The Hostelling International network brings together more than 4,000 hostels across around 80 countries. What does this mean for young travellers from Slovenia?

The Hostelling International network gives young travellers from Slovenia access to a global community that goes far beyond simply providing accommodation. It gives them access to a vast network of hostels around the world that offer a safe, affordable and sociable environment. This way, young people don’t simply travel on their own – they become part of a community where they can meet others, share experiences and make new friends.

Hostels often bring together different cultures, ideas and perspectives on the world. Everyone is welcome, regardless of nationality, skin colour, religion, gender or social background. This openness and acceptance of differences are among the network’s core values. The network also promotes sustainability, cooperation and mutual understanding. For young people, it’s about much more than having a place to stay. It’s a chance to become part of a global community.

3. A lot of the organisation’s work relies on volunteers. What role do volunteers play in your work and within the community?

Volunteers are at the heart of what we do. They’re not simply there to lend a hand. They play an active part in shaping our projects, content and ideas. Volunteers are behind much of what we do, including our magazine, events and campaigns.

Volunteering also offers a chance to learn, develop new skills and gain valuable experience. Young people have the chance to explore their interests, develop their creativity and feel part of a community. At the same time, we create an environment where people connect with and support one another. That’s what gives our work its unique energy and authenticity.

4. One of the most interesting projects is the online travel magazine Globetrotter, as well as the travel series Popotniški snep, which is also based on travellers’ experiences. How important are travellers’ stories in promoting a culture of travel?

Travellers’ stories are incredibly powerful because they bring the world closer to us in a personal and authentic way. In our online travel magazine Globetrotter and our Popotniški snep series, we don’t just talk about destinations. We share travellers’ experiences, thoughts and feelings. Readers and viewers can relate to these stories, learn from them or find inspiration for their own travels. This kind of content also encourages people to explore the world in a more responsible and mindful way.

They also give volunteers the chance to develop their writing, public speaking and critical thinking skills, as well as their ability to express themselves. Stories like these help people connect with the wider travel community.

5. Your organisation encourages young people to travel, connect across cultures and be open to new experiences. Why do you think travel is still one of the best ways to learn about the world?

Travel takes us out of our comfort zone and puts us in new situations, where we encounter different cultures and ways of thinking. Those are often the moments when we learn the most, both about the world and about ourselves. Young people become more adaptable and independent, and learn to understand and appreciate differences. Travel also often makes us reflect on our own values and the choices we make in life.

It’s not formal learning. It comes from experience, which is what makes it so powerful. These experiences stay with us for years and shape the way we see the world. That’s why we believe travel is one of the most powerful ways to learn.

6. Your work also involves international projects and programmes that bring together young people from different countries. What inspires you most about this work?

International projects and programmes give us the chance to connect directly with young people and organisations from different countries. What inspires me most is seeing how different perspectives, experiences and ideas come together to create new solutions. These partnerships also strengthen the sense of being connected across Europe and the wider world.

Young people also learn how to work with people from different cultures, which is incredibly important today. At the same time, we can work together on projects that make a real difference in society. What inspires us most is the feeling that we’re working together to create something bigger than ourselves.

7. One of the programmes you’re currently working on is Travel Different for Future. What is the main aim of the programme, and what impact do you hope it will have on young people?

Travel Different for Future was created to help young people better understand how travel affects the environment and society, and to encourage them to think more responsibly about the way they travel. The idea isn’t to travel less, but to understand the impact of our choices and travel more consciously. The programme includes workshops, campaigns and other educational activities where young people look at real examples and reflect on their own travel habits.

An important part of the programme is bringing formal and informal learning together. We want sustainability to be part of the conversation both in schools and in other learning environments. In recent years, we’ve found that young people respond really well to this topic and easily relate it to their own lives. Our goal is for sustainable thinking to become a natural part of the way they travel. In the long run, we hope this will also help bring about wider change in society.

8. How can young people get involved with your community today, whether as members, travellers, supporters or volunteers?

There are plenty of ways for young people, and those who are young at heart, to get involved. They can become members by getting an HI membership card, donate to our Children's Joy at Sea charity fundraiser, follow our travel content or join us as volunteers. It often starts with something as simple as liking or commenting on our social media posts, and over time it can turn into more active involvement.

Most volunteers start by simply getting in touch, then gradually find the role that suits them best. We try to take a personal approach and give everyone the chance to contribute in a way that feels right for them. Some write articles or take part in our travel programme, while others help with projects or create content for social media.

What matters to us is that everyone finds a place where they feel they belong. We’re open and inclusive, so every kind of support means a lot to us.

9. What advice would you give to young people who want to travel differently, in a more sustainable, open-minded and meaningful way?

Even small choices can make a big difference when it comes to travelling more sustainably. It’s important to travel at a slower pace and be more mindful and respectful of the places and local communities we visit. Choosing the train or bus instead of flying can significantly reduce our carbon footprint.

Choosing local providers, reducing waste and behaving responsibly are all steps anyone can take. It’s also important to learn about the destination before you travel. Microadventures are also becoming more popular and offer a sustainable way to explore places closer to home.

Sustainable travel isn’t about restrictions. It’s about having a deeper, more meaningful experience. It’s a way of thinking that makes travel feel even more meaningful.

10. In your experience, how do volunteering and travel change the way we see the world?

Once we step outside our own world, we start to understand how differently other people live and the experiences that have shaped them. It makes us more open-minded, empathetic and connected to others. We also start to see ourselves and the opportunities we have in a different light. These experiences often shape the choices we make later in life. It’s a gradual process of personal growth, but one that can have a profound impact. That’s why both travel and volunteering are such an important part of what we do.

11. If you had to describe in one sentence what it means to be part of the Hostelling International community, what would you say?

Being part of Hostelling International means being part of a global community where travel brings people, ideas and values together and creates space for learning, collaboration and positive change, from “travel” to “understand the world” and “change the world”.