British Friends

In today's widespread internet era, social networking has become prevalent, particularly among the youth. The internet connects people from all corners of the world that would have never interacted otherwise. Today, people can make friends with others in any place, any time. But with many social networking, the friendship goes only so far. In other words, it's not very common for online friends to become friends in the real world. So the virtual friendship is limited, whether it's by distance or other reasons of not strong enough connection. Although it's still common for online friends to expand their online friendship into a real one. Sure you can interact with millions of people on popular Social networks such as MySpace and Facebook, but not too many of those online chats actually translate into real life friendship. Besides, many people on these social networks talk with their real friends who they already know, and not new people. So if you are looking for a British friend, you can probably find plenty of them on the masses of social networks, where you can chat away.

There is, however, a very unique internet community, where real friendships can be made. The CouchSurfing Project is a free, Internet-based, international hospitality service, and it is currently the largest hospitality exchange network. The project was initiated in 2003 and was formally launched on Jan 1, 2004. As of Spring 2009, CouchSurfing had more than 1 million members in more than 230 countries and territories. According to their own published statistics, 35% of their members are currently offering their couches to host travelers (with another 18% saying "maybe", and others who are travelling at the moment). According to Alexa (provides web traffic stats), CouchSurfing is currently the most visited hospitality service on the Internet, averaging more than 30 million daily page views in July 2008. So what exactly is couch surfing? In simple terms, it's basically where travelers get to stay at other people's homes rather than hotels. It's like a personal exchange program, where you visit someone in another country and stay at their home, and then return the favor by inviting them back to your home. So if you want a real British friend, explore Couchsurfing, and find that ideal Brit who will let accept you into his or her home, and perhaps a life long friendship. Such an interaction is truly priceless. Narrow down your search of a British friend by look for specific locations such as London or Glasgow, or perhaps smaller towns if that's what you prefer.

When CouchSurfing International, Inc. was first launched as a non-profit organization, it filed an official mission statement of: "CouchSurfing seeks to internationally network people and places, create educational exchanges, raise collective consciousness, spread tolerance, and facilitate cultural understanding."

As a community, Couchsurfing strives to do its individual and collective parts to make the world a better place, and believes that the surfing of couches is a means to accomplish this goal. CouchSurfing isn't about the furniture- it's not just about finding free accommodations around the world- it's about taking an active role in creating a better world. The organization strives to make a better world by opening people's homes, hearts, and letting others into their lives. Couchsurfing community opens its minds and welcomes the knowledge that cultural exchange bring. The community creates deep and meaningful long lasting connections that cross oceans, continents and cultures. CouchSurfing wants to change not only the way people travel, but how people relate to each other. With Couchsurfing, there is no longer a barrier, physical or digital, to making friends.

To get an idea of how Couchsurfing actually works, let's explore the specific steps involved in this wonderful community that connects people.

First, you must become a member of CouchSurfing.com by registering. Create a profile and provide as much information as possible, including photos. Be sure to link to any friends you might already have in the network. Also, try joining some discussion groups in your areas of interests. Let's say you want to travel in England for a few weeks and explore the major cities such as London, Birmingham, and Leeds. You buy a ticket to London and are ready to leave for England's capital. You log on to CouchSurfing.com and do a search for members within 20 miles (35 km ) of London. You contact prospects from the list and explain the sort of travel/stay you're interested in. Use the "Request to CouchSurf with..." button to include specific details. You then get several offers from people willing to host you. You decide that you want to spend a few days in each English city. You confirm with your hosts, adjust your travel plans, and fly off to London with great excitement and perhaps some anxiety at first. Your first host picks you up at the airport (Heathrow or Gatwick of London for example) and takes you back to his flat in the section of Camden (borough in central London.) The two of you walk around the neighborhood and meet some of his friends at a nice cafe for dinner or drinks. You stay up late sharing stories and getting to know each other better. Your host recommends some interesting places you might like to explore around the city. When he returns from work the next evening, he takes you to his favorite bar and you tell him about your adventures. The two of you joke around and connect; you make new friends at the bar, and you're grinning the whole walk home along the busy streets.

As an example of a good surfer, you do as much as you can to return the favor to your British hosts, and new friends. This includes carrying out simple tasks like, for example, washing the dishes, making dinner or helping out in some other way. Maybe you have a special skill you're willing to use. Maybe you're a great tennis player, and decide to give your new British friend some tennis lessons at the local park or head to the prestigious All England Lawn Tennis Club. You connect even deeper. You then say good-bye and move on to Birmingham, and Leeds. In each location you've met some great people and gotten to experience being a part of the culture through your connection with your British host and new friends. You visit places you would have never read about in a guidebook, meet interesting locals, and spend time connecting with your host. You're actually experiencing those "deep and meaningful connections" you've read about on the site, and you're making friends for life. There is really no substitute for a local's accommodations, knowledge, and interaction. You truly get a feel of the real London, Birmingham and Leeds, rather than just staying in isolated tourist areas of hotels. Couchsurfing is really a brilliant idea. For more information log on to their website and explore other topics, particularly about safety, since it's very important and frequently asked about. So go ahead and visit UK and make British friends.