HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING At the moment I am looking to couchsurf because, to be perfectly honest, I am quite short of money during my travels (Nov 2012-Jun 2013). On a whim, I bought tickets to fly back to the UK from India to see my girlfriend over Christmas, which is no cheap undertaking - as such my travelling budget has taken a bit of a hit and couchsurfing seems like a fun alternative to living in hostels! Besides, meeting and hanging out with locals is often a much better way of getting to know a new place! COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE I have never couchsurfed before, but everyone I have spoken to about it (friends at home and other travellers) has had a really positive experience with it - so I'm keen to give it a go!

In terms of travelling, that would have to be a school trip to Libya and into the Sahara in 2006 - sleeping under the stars amidst endless sand dunes and in utter silence remains unmatched to this day. In 2012/3, I spent 7 months travelling to Nepal, India, Australia, New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Japan and Korea (with a bit of couchsurfing in the mix!). I would love to travel more, and soon - no time like the present!