XploreU About Us

About Us: Tell us your story, and we’ll give you the world

Welcome to XploreU, a unique community for student travelers that rewards you for sharing your endless passion for exploring the world. By adding your voice and experiences to the community, you earn points, which are your currency on XploreU. Use your points to win dream trips, bid in contests or redeem for cool gear – all at no cost to you.

XploreU is open to all students, from veteran backpackers to novices still planning their first trip. No matter your experience level or where you call home, we believe everybody has a story – so we want to hear from you. By simply telling us your travel stories and dreams, we’re confident you will meet new friends, learn more about your personal interests, and uncover new and exciting places.

Do keep in mind that we are just beginning, so the rewards are still being solidified. But come on board and join and it won’t be long before your stories are giving you the world. Join here: http://www.xploreu.com/sign-up

Mission and Vision

We believe that education combined with travel is power. International travel builds confidence and implements a sense of gratitude in young people. The more students that travel abroad, experiencing the world outside of the classroom, the more grateful and confident young people we will have that are passionate about contributing to positive change everywhere. The more we will become true global citizens.

XploreU wants every student to travel abroad before he or she turns 25. Whether it’s through completing a study abroad program, spending your gap year in the developing world, choosing an alternative spring break, or winning one of our challenges, we want everyone out there exploring -- XU and our sponsors will help you get there.

About the Founder

Beginning as a small child, XploreU founder Meghan Hoover has been traveling on expeditions all over the world with her family, thanks in part to her father’s career as a botanist and her mother’s unwavering emphasis on exploring sites less seen. After returning from her first trip to the developing world in 1999, she had an epiphany: all young people should have the life changing experience of traveling to new places and witnessing different cultures.

To further explore this idea, she created a student travel magazine featuring articles written by students traveling in every part of the globe. Her dream was to use these stories to empower students of all backgrounds to escape the comfort zone and travel abroad. In 2002, as a freshman at Beloit College, her dream became reality when she published the first edition of Authentic Travel Magazine.

After graduating from Beloit in 2006, she transformed the magazine into a social network, XploreU. With this community, Meghan not only inspires students to travel the world, she is actually sending students abroad. She is thrilled to offer this opportunity to young people, and encourages everyone with even the slightest interest in travel or culture to become a member.