IITian quit her job to backpack. She stayed with strangers in India too. What happened next changed the way she travels now

Everyone loves to experience a city like a local. But for Kanak Agrawal, an IIT-Kanpur graduate, it was also making bonds. In a bold move that most of us would hesitate to make, she ditched hotels and hostels to live with complete strangers—people she had only met through the internet. What followed wasn’t just a budget hack, but a journey that redefined how she saw travel, trust, and human connection.

Sharing her story on Instagram, Kanak said that it was the summer of 2017 when she had quit her job and set off on a month-long budget backpacking trip across Europe. During her travels, she learned about Couchsurfing—a platform where locals offer travellers a place to stay for free. Someone she met in Amsterdam introduced her to it, and she quickly made an account and sent out a few requests. That one decision, she said, changed everything.

Soon, she found herself living with strangers in Utrecht, Amsterdam, and Prague. They cooked meals together, explored the city, and swapped stories she still remembers vividly. “Couchsurfing wasn't just about saving money. It was about connection,” she wrote.



Back then, the concept wasn’t well-known in India. But Kanak decided to try it out—and was surprised to find willing hosts in almost every city. When she moved to Mysore recently, she skipped the hotel and couchsurfed again. “I stayed with Bala for 4 days until I found a place. He became a friend in a new city.” Once she moved into her new house, she invited him over for dinner. That simple meal turned into her housewarming. “No fancy party. Just a simple meal with someone who made a new city feel a little like home.”

In her caption, Kanak left her followers with a question that clearly challenges comfort zones: “Would you dare to try this?”

Internet reacts

In the comments section, users shared a mix of excitement, curiosity, and concern. One mentioned they had been a member for over 20 years, while another recalled their first couchsurfing experience in Indonesia, saying they were deeply moved by the kindness of strangers and hoped to share stories with Kanak someday.

Someone else admitted they were nervous about trying it but felt inspired to give it a shot on their next trip. Another user raised an important question about safety, especially for women in India.

Kanak responded by saying she’s always felt safe and emphasised the importance of reading host reviews carefully and having conversations before finalising a stay. A fellow user supported her view, pointing out that comments on the platform can’t be modified or deleted, which makes it harder to manipulate or hide negative feedback.