penpals
Mail-based friendships
Penpals are people who maintain a friendship through regular correspondence, traditionally by mail.
The practice was especially popular before email and social media, often connecting children across countries: I had a penpal in Japan when I was twelve.
The term still applies to any correspondence-based friendship, including digital ones.
Also spelled pen pals.
Alphabetic characters or mail
- stationeryCorrespondence writing materials
- envelopesPaper containers for letters
- stampsPostal payment adhesives
- postageFee for mailing
airmail · handwritten · ink · calligraphy · postcard · mailbox · writing · epistolary
Mutual giving and receiving
- internationalConcerning relations among countries
- cross-culturalInvolving multiple societies
- diversityState of varied elements
- languageSystem of symbolic communication
traditions · customs · foreign · multicultural · worldview · perspective · curiosity · learning
State of having company
- bondingForming close connections
- connectionA joining or relation
- rapportHarmonious mutual connection
- confidantTrusted keeper of secrets
intimacy · loyalty · understanding · trust · affection · long-distance · lifelong · support
Digital written communication
- onlineNetwork-connected state
- virtualExisting in effect, not fact
- messagingSending written digital communications
- video chatLive audiovisual conversation
social media · apps · digital · internet · platform · modern · electronic · website
Educational instruction space
- schoolPlace of instruction
- programPlanned sequence of actions
- assignmentAllocated work or duty
- introductionPreliminary section or presentation
pairing · matching · organization · teacher · exchange program · language partner · tandem · random
letters
Alphabetic characters or mail
- stationeryCorrespondence writing materials
- envelopesPaper containers for letters
- stampsPostal payment adhesives
postage · airmail · handwritten · ink · calligraphy · postcard · mailbox · writing · epistolary · notepaper
exchange
Mutual giving and receiving
- internationalConcerning relations among countries
- cross-culturalInvolving multiple societies
- diversityState of varied elements
language · traditions · customs · foreign · multicultural · worldview · perspective · curiosity · learning · countries
companionship
State of having company
- bondingForming close connections
- connectionA joining or relation
- rapportHarmonious mutual connection
confidant · intimacy · loyalty · understanding · trust · affection · long-distance · lifelong · support · kindred spirit
Digital written communication
- onlineNetwork-connected state
- virtualExisting in effect, not fact
- messagingSending written digital communications
video chat · social media · apps · digital · internet · platform · modern · electronic · website · typing
classroom
Educational instruction space
- schoolPlace of instruction
- programPlanned sequence of actions
- assignmentAllocated work or duty
introduction · pairing · matching · organization · teacher · exchange program · language partner · tandem · random · assigned
penpalsneighbors
Those dwelling nearby
roommates · classmates · coworkers · housemates · companions
penpalssoulmates
Ideal romantic matches
close friends · family members · loved ones · life partners · confidants