2. No, thats not quiteit
3. This is
4. 5. It's not only a website, but a global community project,
whose mission is as follows:
"We envision a world where everyone can explore and create
meaningful connections with the people and places we encounter.
Building meaningful connections across cultures enables us to
respond to diversity with curiosity, appreciation and respect. The
appreciation of diversity spreads tolerance and creates a global
community."
6. So how does a Couchsurfer do so?
By opening up our homes & hearts to a diverse group of
adventurous and interesting folks from all over the world, and also
by traveling and meeting locals who are part of the Couchsurfing
community.
How? It's simple...
7. How doesitwork?
First, a new Couchsurfer goes to the site and completes a profile,
listing the accomodation they have available, their interests, and
how they would like to share and learn from the global community.
Here are some examples
8. 9. 10. How itworks
When traveling, a Couchsurfer searches the database for local
Couchsurfers to meet up with, who will become their potential new
friends, guides and hosts. It looks like this
11. 12. Not just free accomodation!
Then, once he or she sees a Host whose home they'd like to stay at,
they will send a request, typically 1-2 weeks in advance, which can
be accepted or denied. Travelers typically stay 1-3 nights, and
often spend an evening or two in the company of the Host and their
family/friends, seeing the sights or sharing a meal. The focus is
not just free accomodation, but also an exchange be it of
experiences, languages, cultures, recipes, talents, you name
it!
To express gratitude, it is customary for the Surfer to leave a
small gift (or buy a round of beers, etc.) for the Host, although
this is never expected, and commercial acts are forbidden on the
site.
13. Is Couchsurfing safe?
The vast majority of experiences are positive, although from time
to time negative experiences have arisen. The couchsurfing project
has set up a system in order to better ensure safety. Let me
explain...
14. Feedback
First, people who know each other or have met leave comments on
each other's profiles indicating the amount of time they've known
each other, their trust level, and any other information. People
who have negative references are less likely to be accepted by
hosts and are less likely to receive requests.
15. Name & addressverification
Secondly, one can opt to donate to the Couchsurfing project (at
least 20 dollars US) and can have their name and address verified
officially via their bank records, which makes them more liable if
something happens and thus more trustworthy. (Couchsurfing is a
non-profit, with a small collection of full-time global employees
who connect virtually as well as a volunteer collective.)
16. Vouching
Lastly, Couchsurfing has a system of "vouching" - the original core
members can vouch for a certain number of trustworthy friends, and
once those friends are vouched for three times, they can do the
same. Essentially, it's a circle of trust.
Here's what all of that looks like virtually...
17. 18. Couchsurfing also takes seriously any complaints and will
remove users who abuse the system, and they advise travelers to
stay smart and have a back-up plan if necessary. The more you
contribute to the community, the more vouches you have, and the
more positive comments, the more likely you are to be trusted and
hosted when you're in a cinch!
19. A growingphenomenon!
Don't think Couchsurfing is just for backpacking hippies. The
community is diverse, and includes all kinds of folks - even
families! As the community grows, the international press is even
starting to take interest...
20. 21. 22. 23. Events
But Couchsurfing isn't just limited to accomodation! The community
also organizes local events, meet-ups, quiz nights, language
exchanges, pot lucks, birthday parties, hiking excursions, etc. Not
only for passing travelers, but for hosts as well! This gives
travelers a great opportunity to meet locals and see the best
sights, but also gives local hosts a chance to meet, connect, and
share experiences.
24. For example, at the Braderie de Lille, whichis an annual French
festival involvingeatingmusselswithfries and drinkingbeer!
25. Age
Couchsurfing is open to anybody, regardless of age, ethnicity,
nationality, etc.
In terms of age, Couchsurfers tend to be younger however, with the
median age being 28.
26. 27. 28. Gender
Couchsurfers are both male and female, with males making up a
slightmajority. Some people suspect thatthisisbecausewomen living
alone are not as comfortablewith the idea of welcomingstrangers. A
smallpercentage of Couchsurfing profiles are marked several people,
meaningthatthey are made up of couples, families & roommate
situations, whichdoessomewhatboost the percentage of
womeninvolved.
29. 30. 31. A really global community!
Couchsurfers are all over the world! The following map will show
you just how strong the global presence is:
32. 33. Language
Couchsurfers also tend to speak English, though not necessarily as
a first language, as English is considered the international
language as well as the default language on the site. Couchsurfers
also speak a variety of other languages, and is a great way to meet
people in order to practice your foreign language skills!
34. 35. 36. Where to go?
As an experienced Couchsurfer, I can say that just about any
destination in the world can be made interesting through making
contacts with other Couchsurfers in the area. Why? Because your
Couchsurfing hosts will usually do their best to give you a taste
of the culture, show you why their area is worth visiting and what
there is to see and do. However, to start with, here are two places
I recommend to visit:
37. 1. PORTLAND!
38. Why PDX?
Yes, that's right, where you live! Couchsurfing has a strong
community in PDX. The main Portland group, true to both the
Couchsurfing and PDX spirit, has 2939 members! Your fellow PDX
Couchsurfers can help you get started on the site and help you get
more involved in the community.
The group can be found by clicking here!
39. 2. MY HOUSE!
40. Whymy house?
What kind of a Couchsurfer would I be if I didn't invite you? I
live in a large red-brick house in Felleries, France, which has a
population of 1000 and is in the North of France near the Belgian
border. I have three roommates - one is French (and a fellow
couchsurfer), one is American, and one is Danish. You can sleep in
our cozy guest bedroom. During the day, you can visit the Museum of
Woodworking which is next door and go hiking on the many nature
trails only a few minutes away. In the evening we're always going
to concerts or having a soire, where you'll be welcome!
41. At the Museum of Woodworking in Felleries
42. On the nature trails in Felleries
43. Soundsgreat! Butwhat about creeps & weirdos?
44. Yes, sometimesitdoeshappen
Although stalking isnt common, one real problem the Couchsurfing
community does have is an issue with (typically) male members using
the website as a dating website rather than as a place to make
platonic friends and meet fellow travelers. Of course, people have
met and formed relationships because of the site, but the general
consensus is that this should never be the goal, as this has the
potential to make people uncomfortable, which is against the
community mission statement! People who have confused the site with
a dating website are left with negative comments and they are not
well received by the rest of the Couchsurfing Community, and
sometimes they are removed from the site.
45. How to avoidthisproblem
After receiving many annoying requests for dates, I personally have
taken steps to avoid this problem. I have chosen to have a picture
of some scenery as my "profile" picture, in order to avoid
attracting these kinds of people. I have also opted to include the
following statement in my profile:
46. "One thing I'd like to make clear, and it's lame that I've got
to, but after a few awkward encounters and emails during the two
years I've been a Couchsurfer I feel as though I must...I do not
use Couchsurfing for dating, and neither should you. That's not the
CS spirit! If I send you a CS request, it's not because I'm "into"
you or want something from you, but because among the Couchsurfers
in your area I think you're an interesting person and I'd like to
meet you in order to share our cultures, opinions and experiences
and to have a good time...nothing more. If you send me a CS request
or email, I hope it's for the same reason. Also, I pay attention to
references, after all that's what they're there for! Otherwise I
adore Couchsurfing and I've had plenty of wonderful experiences
because of the site, and I hope it continues like that!
Since then, these kinds of contacts have ceased.
47. One thing to remember
99.986 percentof all member experiences are rated by the members
themselves as POSITIVE experiences!
Click here to see testimonials.
48. The future
How do I envision the future of the Couchsurfing community? I
envision it expanding, with the staff and volunteers coming up with
creative solutions to the community's problems and ways of
inspiring even more connection & community experiences, which I
hope will have a global impact and make the world a better place
because of it.
49. The future
Couchsurfinghad 17 memberssign up in January of 2004. Now, in
January of 2011, the site has already17,349 new members within the
month alone, and the number keeps on rising.
Will you be next?
50. For more information
Go to www.couchsurfing.org
and check out the CouchsurfingWikiGuide