Almost six million people around the world choose to stay in the homes of complete strangers instead of at a hotel or hostel when they are travelling. These people, also known as couchsurfers, are members of a website called Couchsurfing.org. For them, strangers are just friends they haven’t met yet.
Since 2004, Couchsurfing has connected travelers with locals who can accommodate them or just show them around. Through the website, you can find hosts almost everywhere around the world, including Afghanistan, Vatican City, North Korea and even Antarctica.
UCLA students and alumni are among those who use the website. They share their travelling and hosting experiences and discuss how Couchsurfing is more than simply a platform to find free accommodation.