Couch Surfing or exchange vacations is an original alternative to the traditional way of traveling to other countries and a great way to save money on accommodation. In this case, a person has the opportunity to feel like a resident of this or that state for some time, to find himself in a natural household environment and from the inside to feel all the delights of this status. Plus, couch surfing is a great way to meet new people and forge long-term relationships.
How to become a couchsurfer
Why waste money buying expensive tours, following the lead of travel agencies, when you can find like-minded people in another country and take advantage of their hospitality? Actually for this, the largest guest network was organized - couchsurfing, whose members provide any assistance to each other for free (from overnight accommodation to organizing joint travel).
In order to become a couchsurfer, you need to register on the couchsurfing.org network website. Registration is free and available for people over 18 years old. A project participant must fill out a special questionnaire (the so-called participant profile), which indicates information about himself, travel experience, main hobbies, as well as clarifies the possibility or impossibility of receiving guests, places personal photos and much more. After the traveler has visited, those who provided him with shelter, as a rule, leave reviews about him in the profile, thus, trying to save project participants from unscrupulous and dangerous people.
Thanks to this way of traveling to different countries, you can not only make travel your hobby, but also make new friends without focusing on regional characteristics.
Couchsurfing opportunities and rules for communicating with strangers
1. An adult is able to make responsible decisions himself, which in one way or another can change his life. This also applies to couchsurfing. Not everyone can accept a stranger and therefore do not overestimate their own capabilities. The choice of guests from near or far abroad must be approached with all seriousness, and if something confuses or strains in a person, it is better to look for a more worthy companion. Fortunately, this is not forbidden to anyone.
2. When going to visit someone, you must familiarize yourself in advance with the conditions provided, the basic requirements of the host in relation to the guest, clarify the availability of a free bed, and if there is none, take a sleeping bag with you on the trip. All these details can be found in the individual profile.
3. When choosing a landlord where you will have to live for some time, you should focus on his rhythm of life, interests, and it is better that they coincide with your own notions of such. Otherwise, discomfort cannot be avoided.
4. Residents of Russia can also become participants in this program, and for this they do not have to go somewhere abroad. Russia is a huge state and a trip even to another region will bring a lot of amazing sensations.
5. Before becoming a couchsurfer and deciding to provide people from another city or state with their housing, you should get to know the applicants, find out some details of their life, and then decide on the invitation.
6. The language of communication is an important link in successful acquaintance and coexistence. The presence of a language barrier can cause discomfort, because in everyday life it is difficult to have an interpreter nearby. Therefore, you should take into account all the difficulties that may accompany this, and your readiness to overcome them.
7. A huge role for some people is played by political views, religious beliefs, national characteristics, orientation and some other aspects, which it is better to learn about in advance. All these nuances can be specified in advance in your profile.
8. If the owner of the accommodation with the guest has insoluble problems, the project participant has the right to refuse him further stay at his home.
We also recommend that you read the Home Exchange article. Free accommodation abroad and Haussitting - free accommodation for tourists.
