As a college student, it is important to learn how to cut corners and stick to a budget. We sometimes have to clip coupons, take the bus or use generic toilet paper that feels more like parchment paper. These are the sacrifices we make to survive, but just like any person in their youth, we want to have worthwhile experiences and adventures. We want to travel and see the world, but it never seems like we can afford it.
One solution for cutting travel expenses is to couch surf through couchsurfing.org. Many people have heard of this new travel trend, but few have been so bold as to actually try it.
The real concern is whether spending a night or two on the couch of a stranger you contacted on the Internet is a safe alternative to a hostel or hotel. We’ve all seen enough psychological thrillers and murder mysteries on Lifetime to be discouraged from participating in such a risky situation for the sake of our wallets.
Couchsurfing.org is a system where users make a profile explaining a bit about themselves and offering up their couch or spare bedroom as a place to stay to anyone who contacts them. The important thing is to do your research on the person you would like to stay with and be selective.
To give a better idea of what the couch surfing experience is like, I interviewed Amber Paoloemilio, a University of Florida junior who used couchsurfing.com to stay with someone in Germany.
What made you want to couch surf?
I wanted to couch surf because it was a cheaper alternative to the hostels in Germany and I had read a lot about how it can supplement your experience.
Describe how you planned whom you were going to stay with.
My friend and I put our trip up on the website and began to receive requests from people to stay with. We decided on a particular apartment because the guy was around our age and lived about a 10-minute walk from the city center. Additionally, he had really positive reviews on the website and we chatted with him beforehand through messaging.
How did you meet up with the person you stayed with and how was your experience?
We met up at 2:00 a.m. [because] our trip to Frankfurt was extremely long, [and communicated with them] through texting/pre-planning. Since phone usage was extremely expensive in Germany, we had Spanish phones, we made sure to let him know our itinerary and when we would be arriving. We were really lucky because the man we stayed with was waiting outside when we arrived! It's hospitality like this that makes couch surfing so rewarding.
What is your overall opinion on couch surfing and its safety?
My overall opinion is that couch surfing can be, with the right amount of planning a research, a much better experience than staying in a hostel/hotel. It's set up to be very safe since the website has a verification tool, and as long as you choose someone in a well-known city, around your age, and with decent reviews on the website, I think it is really safe and can only add to your travel experience. They'll do awesome things like show you the local restaurants, provide you with maps, and take you out to hookah!
What is your advice to other couch surfers, particularly college students?
My advice would be to plan ahead and bring a friend. Couch surfing was really rewarding but it takes some research on the website and a lot of open-mindedness.
Other Tips:
1. Read the reviews of the users you plan to stay with. If other people have stayed with them and had a good experience, it is more likely he or she will be a good match.
2. Meet them in a public place and make sure a friend or loved one knows where you plan to stay and when they should expect to hear from you.
3. If you are a female, try to stay with other females around your age.
