CouchSurfing: Travel Meets Hospitality
During my first afternoon in Ulaanbaatar, I boldly ventured to the outskirts to stay with a Mongolian family. Even though we had never met prior, they warmly welcomed me into their humble ger (Mongolian yurt). Over the next three days, I learned how Mongolian people live through milking cows, cooking meals and simply playing with children. In exchange, I taught them about my culture, how to solve a Rubik’s cube and do French braids. Even though we have different cultural backgrounds, we were still able to enjoy the same music and games over homemade food and laughs.
This cultural exchange was possible through CouchSurfing.org. Founded in 2004, CouchSurfing is a global community rising in popularity. Currently, six million people representing more than 100,000 cities are involved. A few hundred members, both expatriates and local Koreans, are active here in Gwangju.
Although it sounds appealing, you do not actually go surfing on people’s furniture. Rather, CouchSurfing is a worldwide network connecting travelers looking for cultural exchange, a local insider’s guide and new friends, all for the price of zero won. How does it work? To put it simply, you log onto the website and search for a couch in your destination of choice. Then, write some detailed requests specific to hosts. If accepted, you arrange to sleep at the host’s residence for a specified amount of days. Essentially, you are sleeping at a stranger’s house in lieu of a hotel.
Jordan VanHartingsveldt, a Gwangju resident, CouchSurfed around Japan for one month with a budget that most people use for two weeks in such an expensive country. He remarks, “From sleeping on a tatami mat floor in a traditional Edo house to bicycling through a quiet market, my experiences in Japan were made all the richer by the friends I met through CouchSurfing.” Traveling on a smaller budget does not necessarily diminish the quality of the trip with the help of CouchSurfing.
An obvious perk of the system is that it costs nothing (it is appreciated, but not expected, to contribute food or beer). However, that is not the purpose. People participate to connect with others and exchange ideas, travel advice and stories. It is more of a style of travel rather than just accommodation.
Travelers can gain rich experiences through CouchSurfing. Hosts or surfers can offer lessons in piano, juggling, languages or other random skills. Adam Greenberg, Gwangju EPIK teacher, was introduced to acro-yoga by his host in St. Louis, Missouri. “We had a grand time,” Adam adds. “She took us to spots we definitely would not have found on our own, like the fantastic park under a bridge on the Mississippi River where we had a campfire dinner.” Hosts can serve as excellent insider guides by sharing local treasures. If travelers only stay at hotels, they might only visit what guidebooks suggest – sometimes overcrowded and overrated tourist spots.
Not only can you enhance your travels by surfing, you can benefit from hosting. Ian, an American hitchhiker and author, inspired me to explore my own backyard. Chrystal from Malaysia taught me how to write my name in Mandarin and even gifted me a beautiful Malay shawl. I even got to surf with Bumjun’s mother for a unique Korean home-stay after hosting him in Gwangju. If you cannot currently travel, you can bring the world to you by hosting CouchSurfers.
The CouchSurfing network offers more than just a place to sleep. One can arrange ride shares, find travel buddies and attend local meet-ups. If you are not in a position to host or are still uncomfortable with the idea, you can still benefit from the community by meeting like-minded people in your city. Essentially, it is just another social network.
Wait, so you are saying that strangers sleep at your house? Is that not dangerous? Putting it that way does not give off a great impression. Fortunately, there are several safety measures built into the system. Similar to eBay feedback, surfers and hosts can write references based on their experiences. Further, there is an official verification where CouchSurfing.org sends a postcard to your home with a special code to verify that you do, in fact, live there. Finally, there is vouching, an exclusive system only for those who are intimately trusted.
Even with these safety measures, it is still important to exercise caution. When requesting or accepting, trust your instincts. Read his/her profile and references thoroughly. Let other people know when you are hosting or surfing with someone as well. As always, be careful. With that being said, I have not one single report of creepiness after over thirty experiences.
If, for whatever reason, you have lost your faith in humanity, CouchSurfing can help retrieve it. People nowadays have grown afraid of fellow human beings, as evidenced by the general fear of strangers. However, most people will find that humans can be incredibly hospitable and selfless through CouchSurfing. The positive vibes are contagious; good experiences inspire others to give back to the community. CouchSurfing is not for everyone, but I encourage others to leap boundaries and give strangers the benefit of the doubt.
How do you get involved? It is easy. Sign up at CouchSurfing.org. Detailed profiles are more likely to get traffic, so tailor it to shine your personality. “Add” your trusted friends and write some honest references. On your next travels, search for potential hosts and write a personal request to surf. If you want to host, provide details on your living situation. Be responsive to e-mails, remain flexible, and enjoy!