Couchsurfing Chronicles: International Hosts
Home, a space that is deeply personal for many, yet there is a group of courageous individuals who open their doors to strangers. Their stories, perspectives, and experiences have always fascinated me. In 2019, I embarked on a photographic journey, capturing the environmental portraits of Couchsurfing Hosts in New York City.
Couchsurfing is a unique homestay and social network community that connects travelers (surfers) with hosts who generously share their homes in exchange for cultural exchange. Armed with my DSLR, a single-speed light, and a diffuser, I visited these hosts, conversed with them, surfed in some of their homes, and created portraits that captured their essence.
My exploration of the Couchsurfing community in New York City has been an enriching journey, inspiring me to continue this project and extend it to other countries. What started as a school project has now become a lifelong commitment to explore and learn about different cultures' perspectives on hosting strangers in their homes. I am intrigued by how different cultures shape the experiences and interactions with strangers, and I am curious to discover the common threads that unite hosts from diverse countries.
Through my ongoing project, I aim to delve deeper into the nuances of hosting culture worldwide, capturing the unique ways in which hosts welcome and interact with strangers. The universal and distinct elements that emerge from this exploration fuel my curiosity and passion as a photographer. Ultimately, my photographic series, Couchsurfing Hosts, is a visual exploration of the human connection, cultural exchange, and the power of opening our homes and hearts to strangers.
I firmly believe that good people need to engage in an active role in this hyperconnected world. It’s our responsibility to fight against xenophobia, racism and radical nationalisms that build walls instead of bridges.
Easy going, music and yoga lover, love to travel and meet new people, experiences and cultures.
Couchsurfing brings the world a little bit closer to everyone and we really need that. Too many people are trying to push us away from each other.
Serious and fun, work hard but play hard.
I love living in a place in foreign countries. It makes me feel like I'm on a long long trip. Traveling around the world is one of my life missions. It'd get much more interesting if I have friends every place I go.
Teach my sons to live in a multi-cultural world. Learning different cultures through people from different countries.
Everything happens for a reason.
“Only with the heart is possible to see right, The essential is invisible to the eyes” "Sólo con el corazón se puede ver bien. Lo esencial es invisible a los ojos” -Antoine de Saint-Exupéry I want to share time with people from all cultures from all the world.
At 27! I realized that I do not only want to travel the world but to make friends and get to know more in depth whatever country and culture. I am really excited to discover the world either by traveling or meeting people from all over, just wanting to see what the world has to offer!
Sharing my home, what I have and what I know with people that have gave me a lot to learn and laugh.
Tengo una mente abierta y me gusta conocer personas de todos los campos de la vida. Con ganas de descubrir el mundo a través de viajes y conocer gente de todos lados. I have an open mind and like to meet people from all walks of life. I discover the world through travel and meet people from all over.
When you give yourself, you receive more than you give Learn how to be happy with what you have while you pursue all that you want.
Love to travel, language, dancing and crossfit - I love the couchsurfing community
Soy una chica que ama viajar. Me gusta la música bohemia y la música ranchera, me encanta bailar salsa y bachata. I am a girl who loves to travel. I like bohemian music and ranchera music, I love dancing salsa and bachata.
To wake up every morning with a big smile
Having now experienced the joys of Couchsurfing, I'm keeping the positive vibes going as a host here in Ottawa, and hopefully as a guest too the next time I'm out travelling.