June 1st marks another less-known holiday: National Pen Pal Day! Although having a pen pal seems old and outdated, modern technology opens even more possibilities to connect with people around the world.
Pen pals can accomplish more than just busting boredom on a rainy day. Finding and talking with a pen pal is a great way to meet new people and form new relationships. Many online services connect the user with a random recipient; these include PenPal World, Postcrossing, and Compatipal. Along with others, most of these websites use digital messaging instead of physical letters. One could also request their new pen pal’s address to start sending physical letters via the mail.
Writing letters is also a great way to provide companionship to the elderly who might not have friends or family who live near them. Visit ReadyToCare.com/penpals and submit a letter to get in touch with an aging adult. Then, share your email or mailing address and continue writing letters back and forth!
In addition to the other benefits, pen pals can have an educational value. Many high school students take classes to learn a new language, but classroom instruction does not always make up for real-world practices. Conversation Exchange is a global platform that allows students to communicate with native speakers of whichever language they want. They can build new friendships and language skills with voice, video, writing, and other language resources.
Writing letters is also a great way to get back in touch with people you used to know. For example, one could write a letter or email to a relative who lives far away, a friend who moved to another state, or a teacher they had in elementary school. Along with meeting new people, one might meet new relatives! I recently contacted a cousin who lives in Wales, and I have since made a new friend and learned so much about a different country.
For something to do over the summer, consider visiting one of these websites, or ask a relative for the address of someone who lives farther away! Pen pals provide companionship for both the receiver and the sender; they are a great way to work on language skills and learn about a different culture.