Couchsurfing

I have used Couchsurfing a couple different ways, and I wanted to share a few of my thoughts:

Couchsurfing:
CouchSurfing is a website/application that travelers can use to find free accommodation worldwide, or to host fellow travelers. First, you set up a profile (similar to Facebook) telling a little bit about yourself. Then you can offer to host travelers that are visiting your city while you are at home. When traveling to a new city, you can search for people to send personal requests to or post a general request to that city's page.

• The good-
  
  • ​I couchsurfed when I was in Washington DC. I wasn't sure how the experience would be, but overall I was pleasantly surprised. I had a great experience using Couchsurfing. Prior to arriving in the city I added in my request on the Washington DC page that I would be moving to Spain to teach English, and Alban (who is also moving to Spain to teach English) offered to host me. He was super nice and very welcoming. I was even able to exercise in the gym in his apartment complex! For those traveling on a tight budget (and when unable to use credit card points or find a good hostel), Couchsurfing can be a great option because the price is a sharing of culture, not a monetary exchange.
• The bad-
  
  • To be honest, I was hesitant to use CouchSurfing, and wasn't sure what to expect. When I first tried to use Couchsurfing it was initially difficult to find someone to host me. Most people either ignored or denied my requests to stay. I ended up finding a place to stay after posting on the Washington DC city-wide page.
• The ugly-
  
  • The vast majority of people I know that use Couchsurfing use it as a means of cultural exchange, affordable travel, or just giving back. However, I have heard stories of people (male and female) using Couchsurfing like a traveler's tinder app. Also, many females will offer to host only females, so I found it a bit difficult at times to use as a male. Additionally, everyone using Couchsurfing (hosts and guests) should be vigilant in regards to their own safety and act wisely in response to any bad or uncomfortable feelings they might get. While proper caution should be used, CouchSurfing can be a great resource for travelers.

Events:
On the Couchsurfing app there are also various events listed. Being on the Couchsurfing app, these events are geared toward travelers. They include things such as language exchanges, meetups, and tours. I have done a few Couchsurfing events (such as a language exchange in St. Pete and a meetup to watch fireworks in Washington DC) and have had a great time at each of them.

Hangouts:
There is also an option to meet up with other travelers through Couchsurfing hangouts. You can make yourself available and other people that are also available in your vicinity will be visible to you. This can be used to show someone around, to be shown around, or to do something together with a fellow traveler. I have not personally used hangouts, but I think (as long as proper caution is used as mentioned above) it is a great concept.

Hosting:
You can also host people through the Couchsurfing app. Although you will not receive money, you would be able to get a beneficial cultural exchange and would have the opportunity to help a fellow traveler. I have not hosted yet, but I would like to host sometime in the future.