"I never thought I was going to travel two or three years ago...it just came up to me...it was some sort of instinct saying 'Let's do it. Let's go for it.'" - Ryoji Yoshimura

Ryoji Yoshimura (@ryoji_o_yoshimura) is a veteran couchsurfing host based in Kitakyushu, Japan.

Since 2015, he has hosted over 40 travelers in his home. These travelers are commonly called "couch surfers."

A couch surfer is a person who stays at a local's place, often on their couch or extra mattress, for free.

Meeting travelers from around the world, Ryoji felt inspired to see a bit of the world for himself. After trips to The Philippines and South Korea, Ryoji took a year off from school to travel.

In order to do this, he first spent four months working in Australia. Once he had enough money he put these funds towards visiting places like the United Kingdom, Malaysia, Singapore, and Iran.

Ryoji has fascinating experiences from couchsurfing in different countries and continuing to host travelers in his home. The lessons he learned throughout his gap year changed his perspectives and helped him develop a deeper understanding of who he is.

He is now finishing up his university studies in Kitakyushu, which I think is a great testament to not put your dreams on hold.

• Experiences from couchsurfing: both hosting and being hosted.

You can find the full episode description, show notes and links at https://edgeofcomfort.com/eocp3/