Carra Sykes: graphic artist

adults and college students. What poses a problem in most instances is a lack funds to support such adventures. A project known as Couchsurfing can help ease the struggle.

Couch surfing is a worldwide network of people offering their homes, and couches, for travelers to stay the night. Stays are generally only for a day or two. While it is possible to "couchsurf," unofficially joining the couchsurfing website, www.couchsurfing.org" opens up a world of possibilities. "I hosted this kid who was backpacking without any money, and he spent eight months going across country," said Adam Tremper, a VCU junior. "Literally, he started in Wisconsin and went all the way down to Florida, California, [and] all the way to Alaska. [H]e was gone for so long and he spent no money. "We [also] hosted a kid from Thailand who was coming to look at schools, and he just didn't have money to stay in a hotel, seen on blog pages, with pictures and contact information displayed at the members' discretion. People who have hosted others or have been hosted can also leave their friends recommendations, which gives others reassurance when requesting to stay over. requested that their location is confirmed. The member is then sent a postcard with a code on it. Going to the couchsurfing website and typing in the given code allows the member to become officially verified.

Don't fret if traveling plans are made in haste! Many couchsurfing a drink.

There is however, and emergency board available on the website in the case of unreliable people. "When I decided to go to Rome, t found this guy who was an ambassador and a tour guide for the Vatican.. he had hundreds and hundreds of references,"said Brittany Fulk, a VCU junior. "So I went to Rome and I figured he would answer his

"Everybody that I've met, like the girl I stayed with first in Baltimore, most of her friends were couch surfers as well," said Leigh Rawls, a VCU cinema major. "So t ended up .. getting to know them .1 just didn't expect everyone to be so nice and welcoming." Couchsurfing is a worldwide network of people offering their homes, and couches, for travelers to stay the night.

To get references when first beginning the couchsurfing adventure, it's a good idea to sign up with a friend and join the network together, then write each other references. This will make other members more likely

hosts don't mind short notification. A simple message the day before arrival is often enough notice. Oftentimes, those traveling will contact more than one person in their destination to ensure that they'll have a place to stay to request your couch. for the night. However,

To provide members it's not uncommon to get with an added sense of a couchsurfing request, security, the website offers and then not hear back members the chance to from the individual. Some become "verified." This 'surfers might just want means that the member to meet up for coffee or phone, [but] he never did."

For those antsy to travel the States or even the world, couchsurfing can be a useful tool to help curb costs, as well as meeting all sorts of friends along the way. Get connected: www.couchsurfing.com

Graphic Design

As a kid my imagination led me to making and designing things, so going to school for design was a natural reaction after grade school. I had originally gone to school for fashion design in Raleigh, N.C. but then soon realized I wanted to get into graphic design. I had heard about a same interests as mine and non-profit called To Write perhaps do some personal Love On Her Arms and the art on the side. I want to design was a really strong travel and live in new places. voice for the organization. There are so many options, Knowing what graphic design I just have to break through can do for non-profits really the limitations, you know? pushed my heart to go into Adventures are ahead! it as my major.

What kind of work do

I would love to help out nonprofits as much as J can as well as pursue some more hands on kind of design. J would enjoy working for a company or firm with the

My imagination still runs wild with me, and I enjoy being a kid at 22. Pressure is constantly around with deadlines and I think it's what pushes the need for creativity with general projects and school. Boredom seems to push creativity in my life. I make sure there are creative outlets outside Of school so I have places to get rid of stress. There usually isn't too much extra outlet time, but it does happen.

Jesus, child-like faith, Ireland, colors, patterns, warriors, fashion, forts