Youth Way of Travelling

Catch your wave through Europe

Most young people would agree that standardized mass tourism is not the most inspiring and fun way to explore new places. Furthermore it does not seem appropriate to spend money to go abroad just to find yourself in a group of tourists from your own country. But especially students have to take into account that on an individually planned trip the costs can easily grow above a student's budget


By JULIA THOENS
ISWiB 2007 Media Workshop


Traveling is a very rewarding hobby but also an expensive hobby. You can save a lot of money and find new friends all over the world, if you know how to use the potential of internet traveler's platforms.

Most young people would agree that standardized mass tourism is not the most inspiring and fun way to explore new places. Furthermore it does not seem appropriate to spend money to go abroad just to find yourself in a group of tourists from your own country. But especially students have to take into account that on an individually planned trip the costs can easily grow above a student's budget.

Exploring new places through the eyes of local friends can be a very welcome alternative to the classical tourist traveling. Ideally you can stay at a friends place, save the lodging costs and get to know a place by being guided by his or her local friends. This of course does not work if you don't know anyone in the place of you destination. But do not panic, those kinds of circumstances do not necessarily lead you back to mass tourism.

The solution for your problem can be found in the internet. Several internet platforms - such as couch surfing- offer you the possibility to find other people all around the world with you traveling preferences. The concept is simple. The surfers offer their couches to travelers as a place to stay for a couple of nights.

So what exactly do you have to do to surf a couch?! All you have to do is sign up at one of the internet platforms and create a profile there. The more you write about yourself the easier it is for the host to trust you and offer you a place to stay. As a surfing member you can check out all the profiles of people living at the place of your destination. Experienced hosts usually have comments on their profile, posted by former guests, which can help you to get an impression on what you can expect from your surf. After you have chosen one or better several hosts you contact them individually via email and send your request to stay at his or her place. After you get a positive answer you can make individual arrangements for your stay.

Keep in mind that your host is not a hotel but rather a potential friend of yours. Therefore you should treat him like a friend and for example bring him a little souvenir. So let the respect for people and hospitality be your board and you are ready to surf the ocean of new travel experience.

Links:

http://www.couchsurfing.com

http://www.hospitalityclub.org

http://bewelcome.org