General Information

Serving grades 4-12, this six lesson program introduces students to different ideas, values, and belief systems. Cultural learning fosters intercultural understanding, strengthens group communication skills, and teaches students to explore the world and appreciate other types of people. This program includes the coordination of cooking activity, Cultural Passport activity, meals (breakfast and dinner), program supplies, scrap-booking materials, and an HI-USA youth membership.

Program Description

The Cultural Kitchen Program is a series of six lessons that explore the culture, cuisine, geography, government, lifestyle, and people of a particular focus country. Your class chooses the country to research and picks the presentation mode to display their findings during their stay at the hostel. The first five lessons are held in-class, with the last lesson culminating as an overnight curricular program where the students cook a meal from their focus country, dine with travelers from around the world, and engage travelers with their country’s presentation. This program offers 12 hours of curriculum, 5 of which are based on the Coverdell World Wise Building Bridges curriculum. It also meets California Education Content Standards and qualifies as a service learning experience in most school districts.

Programs take place between October and May each year at the Hostelling International (HI) Los Angeles South Bay hostel in San Pedro. This facility provides a relaxed, friendly, and clean environment with stunning views near the Korean Friendship Bell.

If you have any questions about our programs, contact Stephanie by phone at (310) 393-6263 x23 or by email at sarizzi [at] lahostels.org