Couchsurfing – free accommodation abroad

Couchsurfing or exchange holidays are an original alternative to the traditional way of traveling to other countries and a great way to save on accommodation. In this case, a person has the opportunity to feel like a resident of a particular state for a while, find himself in a natural everyday environment and from the inside feel all the delights of this status. In addition, couchsurfing is a great way to make new acquaintances and establish long-term relationships.

How to become a couchsurfer

Why waste money buying expensive tours, following the lead of travel agencies, if 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 completely free of charge (starting with an overnight stay and ending with organizing joint trips).

In order to become a couchsurfer, you need to register on the couchsurfing.org network website. Registration is free and available to people over 18 years of age. The project participant must fill out a special questionnaire (the so-called participant profile), which indicates information about himself, his travel experience, main hobbies, as well as the possibility or impossibility of receiving guests, personal photos and much more. After the traveler has been a guest, those who provided him with shelter, as a rule, leave reviews about him in the profile, thus trying to protect the project participants from unscrupulous and dangerous people.

Thanks to this way of traveling around different countries, you can not only make travel your hobby, but also make new friends without focusing on regional features.

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 host a stranger, and therefore you should not overestimate your own capabilities. The choice of guests from near or far abroad must be approached with all seriousness, and if something confuses or annoys a person, it is better to look for a more worthy companion. Luckily no one is allowed to do this.

2 If you are going to visit someone, you need to familiarize yourself in advance with the conditions provided, the basic requirements of the owner in relation to the guest, clarify the issue of the availability of a free bed, and if there is none, take a sleeping bag with you on a trip. All these details can be found in the individual profile.

3 When choosing a homeowner where you 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 ideas about those. 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 an 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 ordinary 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 that it is better to know about in advance. All these nuances can be specified in advance in your application form.

8 If the host has unsolvable problems with the guest, 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 Housesitting – free accommodation for tourists.