Travelling the world one couch at a time

Recently, an ex-classmate of mine (boyfriend to one of my close friends) embarked on a backpacking trip to europe. I'm sure this is a common story, eurotrips are frequently planned and embarked on especially at this period of time where the ord boys have nothing better to do. However, what was different about my ex-classmate's trip was that he actually enlisted the aid of a social networking website to help him on his trip. I first heard about it when he hosted 2 foreign girls at his place not too long ago.

Couchsurfing as stated on their website is a worldwide network for making connections between travelers and the local communities they visit. http://www.couchsurfing.org/ It is a non-profit organization therefore, registration is free and they do all that they can to ensure a safe enviornment for people to travel the world. So how does it work?

1. Create a profile! Besides basic information, include photos! They could be of your country, house-accommodation visitors will live in, favourite places to hang out. You can even set some basic ground rules.
   
2. Learn how to read a profile. Look out for details and references that might clue you into the person's habits and character. It pays to be safe! More importantly, look at the icons on the page!

• The couch shows if a member is excited to host, able to host, sometimes able to host, can't host, can't host but wants to meet, or currently traveling
• The verification bar shows if a member is fully verified, partially verified, or not verified. You can also recognize verified members by the check next to their profiles in CouchSearch or on their pictures in other places
• The hands show that a member has been vouched for. The number shows how many vouches he's received.
• The flag shows that a member is a CouchSurfing Ambassador.
• The currency symbols show that a member has given back to the community by making a donation.

3. Start connecting with people! Try to make friends online before you embark on your journey! You can contact your local Ambassador to ask for advice. Ambassadors are active CS members who have volunteered to act as community resources. Or, you could contact a nearby traveler. Find someone you'd like to get to know and offer to show them around your city, or invite them for a coffee.

4. Start couchsurfing prior to your trip!

5. Plan your schedule to be flexible, some couchsurfers might have unexpected business that could crop up and thus not host you for as long as possible.

6. Communicate your plans clearly

7. Couchsurf!

8. Give well-written/thought out feedback! (reference)

Safety issues! I'm sure many people, especially Asians are appalled at the thought of having an unknown stranger in their house and vice versa. What are the security measures put in place by Couchsurfing to ensure the safety of the members?

• Personal references, which hosts and surfers have the option to leave after having used the service.
• An optional credit card verification system, allowing members to "lock in" their name and address by making a credit card payment and entering a code that CouchSurfing mails to the billing address. This also allows CS to recuperate some costs by requiring a fee for verification. For fairness, the verification fee is based on a sliding scale, taking into account the Purchasing Power Parity and Human Development Index of the country of residence.
• A personal vouching system, whereby a member that had been vouched for—originally starting with the founders of the site—might in turn vouch for any number of other members he or she knew or had met through CouchSurfing, and trusts.

Above all, personal judgement is important as well and one can't be too worried about everything. If so, you wouldn't be able to enjoy your trip fully! That said, i would immediately sign up if i had space in my house! :/ Wish i did, i sure wouldn't mind making some international friends. Oh, remember to let your parents know! It's their place not yours! (: