Wander, a new social networking and travel application, brings having a pen-pal to a whole new level. Instead of just getting tips and information from people in foreign countries, users will actually be given local “guides”, a person to show them through photos and text exactly what a day in their life is like.
The app connects people around the world who would most likely never meet in person and allows them to exchange cultural experiences. How it works is like this: users create a profile on their Wander account. Once that is set up, a new available “guide” will be shown to you from somewhere else around the world, with the option to accept or decline connecting with them. If you end up connecting, your next week will be spent being immersed in the other person’s culture through daily “photo-missions” where you both take pictures of your daily routines, for example, what you ate for dinner or your favorite coffee shop in town. From there, the two of you can compare and contrast your cultures and ask each other questions with the help of a built-in translator. Once the week is over, you will be given the option for a new guide.
The app is really taking off, as 12,000 downloads and 1,100 photo uploads are recorded each week.
Want to experience Wander for yourself? It is currently available on the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad (soon to be available on Android) for free. Click here to learn more and download the app.