You found the perfect exchange—awesome.

Now for the hard part. Securing the exchange.

Did you know I used to be a hostel manager?

I know the ins and outs of what hostel managers/owners look for in volunteers.

Here's my eight hacks that’ll help you successfully land exchanges every time. 🥇

1. Use All Contact Methods

Hostels are awful at replying. That will never change.

Having a good message is great if it gets seen. But not if it doesn't. I list multiple contact methods for this reason. If one platform doesn’t get a reply, try another.

Remember it takes the average person to see something 7 times before they engage with it.

Message, message, message without guilt 🤫.

2. Stop Talking About Yourself and Focus on the Hostel's Needs

Talking about your travels and how you love to socialise doesn't give hostels much to work off because everyone says the same thing 😴.

Instead, make your short bio, long bio and message all about the hostel and what you can bring to the hostel with your skills and experiences ✅.

3. Boost Your Credibility by Using Stats

Who doesn't love a stat?

Get some numbers in and you're immediately more credible. Things like "I led a pub crawl with over 50 backpackers making sure they got to 5 different bars safely" 🍻. Or "during the peak season I manned the reception desk checking in 10 backpackers every hour."

Numbers speak louder than words in this case.

4. Name Drop Past Hostels for Instant Trust

Don't be shy to mention hostels 🏨 you’ve volunteered in. It instantly makes hostel owners feel comfortable 🛋️ knowing you understand the whole hostel operation and that if another hostel is happy to have you then why not them?

5. Keep Your Instagram Open

Having an open Instagram account (and sharing your handle in your application) is the quickest way to prove you’re a real human.

It’s not about how many followers you have or your feed—it’s just the fastest way for a manager to put a face to a name and see that you're the right fit for them.

Set it to public while you're applying so they don't have to wait for you to accept a follow request! 🤳✨

6. Improve Your Odds by Committing to Specific Start Date

Nothing puts a hostel off than you saying "I can come whenever." Because they know you’ll come back with “actually can I volunteer on this date?” so let's cut that and go in firm with the exact date 📅 you want to volunteer.

It becomes a simple yes/no decision for the hostel.

7. Secure Multiple Exchanges from One Application with Hostel Chains

One application can lead to 3 or 4 exchanges. If you land the first exchange (and do a great job), the hostel manager can pass your details on and set you up in another branch without you having to apply again.

8. Apply Immediately to Active Listings

Apply within a few hours of an exchange announcement on my Instagram. Hostels are active and ready to accept messages and will respond almost immediately. You get in way before everyone else, remember all exchanges are first come first serve 🥇.

With this checklist you can apply for an exchange without guessing what works. At the end of the day, hostels just want someone reliable, proactive, and easy to get along with.

So stop overthinking it and start hitting send. Your dream exchange is waiting for you to claim.

I can’t wait to see where you end up!