CouchSurfers of the World Unite
Liz Brasington
Issue date: 4/16/09 Section: Features
In the eyes of the average college student, nothing is cheap, especially the necessities. Expenditures on books and school hardly leave room for splurging on concert tickets or an enjoyable night out, let alone traveling. If food, plane tickets and a travel guide do not empty your wallet fast enough, lodging can often cost more than all of the above combined.
With frugality in mind, college students have flocked to CouchSurfing International, Inc. (www.couchsurfing.com), an online service that provides a directory of couches and floors waiting to be slept on. But the site does not just provide a cheap place to sleep. According to the Web site, it also aims to establish "cultural understanding" and "create deep and meaningful connections that cross oceans."
The idea behind CouchSurfing might sound alarming at first; sure, the service is free, but do you really want to sleep in the house of someone you do not know? After all, your mother did remind you repeatedly not to talk to strangers, let alone go in their house.
Caroline Sutcliffe '10 admits that although she does not plan on telling her mother about her CouchSurfing use, she does not have any personal apprehensions about using the site.
"It seemed more secure," Sutcliffe said. "I have done the hostel thing alone and you don't know anyone."
The Web site utilizes barriers to prevent CouchSurfing from becoming a service tailored to those with less-than-noble intentions. CouchSurfers are encouraged to verify their name and address by giving an optional online donation, which is then allocated to improving the functionality of the Web site.
The References feature presents another hindrance for exceptionally bad hosts. On each CouchSurfer's profile, you can find testimonies from Surfers who have stayed with that particular person. Friends can also leave a review in order to bolster the Surfer's online reputation. Furthermore, a CouchSurfer cannot remove negative reviews regarding him- or herself without jumping through considerable hoops.
With frugality in mind, college students have flocked to CouchSurfing International, Inc. (www.couchsurfing.com), an online service that provides a directory of couches and floors waiting to be slept on. But the site does not just provide a cheap place to sleep. According to the Web site, it also aims to establish "cultural understanding" and "create deep and meaningful connections that cross oceans."
The idea behind CouchSurfing might sound alarming at first; sure, the service is free, but do you really want to sleep in the house of someone you do not know? After all, your mother did remind you repeatedly not to talk to strangers, let alone go in their house.
Caroline Sutcliffe '10 admits that although she does not plan on telling her mother about her CouchSurfing use, she does not have any personal apprehensions about using the site.
"It seemed more secure," Sutcliffe said. "I have done the hostel thing alone and you don't know anyone."
The Web site utilizes barriers to prevent CouchSurfing from becoming a service tailored to those with less-than-noble intentions. CouchSurfers are encouraged to verify their name and address by giving an optional online donation, which is then allocated to improving the functionality of the Web site.
The References feature presents another hindrance for exceptionally bad hosts. On each CouchSurfer's profile, you can find testimonies from Surfers who have stayed with that particular person. Friends can also leave a review in order to bolster the Surfer's online reputation. Furthermore, a CouchSurfer cannot remove negative reviews regarding him- or herself without jumping through considerable hoops.
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