MISSION

To explore more of China and Asia in general
To meet up with as many people as possible and share in the experience of learning in travel

ABOUT ME

I go by the name of Aleks. I was born in what was once known as Yugoslavia and grew up in Canada. I now find myself teaching English in China. Before this I taught English in Kazakhstan and Moscow for a year each, and a year or so before that I studied in Estonia for two years. I didn't think life would ever take me to this part of the world, and I'm going to venture further out, so I look forward to supporting one another during times of adventure.

PHILOSOPHY

...craving for knowledge. This is but natural desire of the soul, the wish to see everything, hear everything, and learn everything. - Abay Qunanbayuli

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I offer my place to the community, and I participate in CS events that interest me.
Sleep on couches wherever possible

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Participated in many CS events (Moscow Language Exchange, Anti-Boring Banya - run by my friend Nataliya (Natie Vladimirova), and Moscow Ice Skating - run by my friend Tonia (Toni Sergeeva). I have met many people through these groups and events and great friendships have come out of it. All in all I was able to get more of a cultural experience.
I've met Couchsurfers staying at friend's places, and thus I am here to share in the experience!

Interests

A few of my interests:
Cultural exchanges: I am very interested in how the environment influences the individual, what people in one region share in common but is quite foreign for many others across the world (food, language, literature, music, customs, myths, stories)
Language learning
Exploring old and new places
Outdoors (camping, barbecuing, hiking, kayaking, swimming)
Keeping active (body-weight training, ice skating, ice swimming)
Saunas/Russian Banyas/Bathhouses
Stand Up Comedy

Music, Movies, and Books

Movies: 7 Pounds, Bucket List, The Good Lie, The Intouchables, 50/50
Books: Tuesdays with Morrie, Fall of Giants, Lie Down With Lions, Mastery, When The Body Says No, Anton Chekhov - Stories, Eugene Onegin and Other Stories, The Alchemist, Travels with Epicurus, Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
Music: it all depends on the mood - my taste varies from most types of electronic music to country, rap, rock, and even some pop.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Learned enough Russian to be able to engage in lengthy conversations with Babushkas.

Teach, Learn, Share

I can help you with the English language, or teach you some phrases from the Serbian language. I can also teach you how to prepare a millet meal, skate, swim, dive, waltz.
I want to learn about anything you may want to share, and likewise I'd like to share my experiences and knowledge.

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Croatia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Estonia, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Mexico, Montenegro, New Zealand, Poland, Russian Federation, Serbia, Slovakia, South Korea, Thailand, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Estonia, Kazakhstan, Russian Federation, Serbia