The largest blogging competition in history - The Big Blog Exchange is now complete, with all 16 winners having completed a ten day exchange in one another's countries.

Run by Hostelling International, following its mission, the project which was set up to enable global interaction and educate young travellers about other cultures and the world around them (as a means of promoting peace and preventing war), has attracted an amazing 4,000,000 people on social media so far.

Kisty Mea from Singapore was chosen as one of the 16 winners, and exchanged countries with Sophie Roberts from the United Kingdom. 

Kisty arrived in the UK on the 7th June and has since been on a tour of the country, visiting Manchester, London, Wilderhope, Ambleside, Boggle Hole and York, staying in HI hostels, in addition to getting involved with the British culture. 

She said that the project has enabled her to have confidence in herself as a single traveller, something she never before thought was possible. As a young female, she said she there are definitely worries associated with travelling and exploring new countries alone, but through the Big Blog Exchange and staying in our hostels, she has proved to herself and her readers that it is possible. HI Hostels have assured levels of comfort, security and quality.

In keeping with the 'global interaction' theme running through the project, Kisty said that by staying in hostels, she was able to communicate with other like-minded travellers, give and gain tips and like feel a part of a community, despite being hundreds of miles away from home.

Kisty visited the Hostelling International head office on Monday 17th June, on the final leg of her trip, to be interviewed by the Big Blog Exchange team and meet our HI President and CEO about her journey. She described the project as 'amazing' and 'inspirational', and she cannot wait to share her journey with her readers on her blog kisty.net.

Will you join us? www.bigblogexchange.com

Follow us on #bigblogX

Note to editors:

• Over 1100 bloggers from 72 countries entered into TBBE
• The bloggers will swap cultures, places, lives and blogs simultaneously during 10 days. 7th June till 17th June. It is the biggest contest with these characteristics in the world.
• Hostelling International (www.hihostels.com) is a charity which is committed to enabling travel for young people at an affordable price to educate and embrace new cultures and consequently promote world peace.
• To find out more about the Big Blog Exchange go to www.bigblogexchange.org.uk

For more information please contact Brianda Lopez - blopez@hihostels.com or Scarlett Dixon - sdixon@hihostels.com