Hi there!

I'm Aranka, a social psychologist when it comes to my professional status (don't worry, i won't analyse you!). I currently work as a trainer and coach, to improve communicative skills, teamprocesses or jobhunts.

My interests are very varied though. My bachelor was in interdisciplinary social sciences, because i'm interested in psychology, anthropology but also sociology. I believe you can get the best results in the social field using the three disciplines instead of only one. In the end i chose Social Psychology because it's SO intruiging to learn about the social brain, the way we think and how we communicate with others. Everyone thinks they're unique, but in the end we're all influenced by the world and people around us!

With my educational background in mind, mixed with my personality i can only say that meeting people is a central part of my life. I get excited by hearing others' stories, which is inspirational as well. Couchsurfing is the ultimate platform to do this without creeping people out being curious about there lives haha! Sometimes i'm amazed on how people hold theirselves back on discovering the world and people around them, because of social shyness or misinterpreted social rules.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I participate to meet people from different cultures and learn about them!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I hosted 2 times and it was quite funny to think about the 'must sees' of my City, because i hadn't really been to them before!

My first couch-surfing-experience was in Italy summer 2011. Me and my friend Tanja traveled for a month through italy and stayed with a lot of Couchhosts, after this experience i can NOT travel without couchsurfing anymore! You see many more places, feel at home and get in touch with the country.

Interests

During the weekends i work in a bakery/patissery so my chocolate addiction is getting quite serious now. To compensate this... i love to dance, practice Modern Dance, ballet and sometimes Jazz. I recently bought a racing bike as well, which i'm using quite a lot. The nature in our area is highly suitable for cycling and this summer my boyfriend and i will go on a bicycle trip through Brittany, France.

I'm also fond of photography so while travelling i'm bringing my huge outdated camera everywhere with me! (Still on the hunt for a new one.)

And if you're a stormchaser you are more than welcome as well! I'm totally terrified when thunderstorms hit the city, but the (severe) weather intrigues me so much that my adrenaline levels go up anyway. Whether it is from excitement or anxiety haha!

• photography
• dancing
• ballet dancing
• dining
• chocolate
• coach
• traveling
• socializing
• jazz
• cycling
• backpacking
• surfing
• anthropology
• psychology
• social science
• sociology

Music, Movies, and Books

Into the wild, Forrest Gump, Inception, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Ugly Truth, Dear John, Blood Diamond, The Taking of Pelham 123, Up in the Air, Old Dogs, Vicky Cristina Barcelona.

Lie to Me, Suits, Orange is the New Black, White Collar, Modern Family, New Girl and that kind of sitcoms.

There is nothing about music that i don't really like actually... (Dutch 'folk' music though)

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

It's impossible to choose only one thing dude! I did a couchsurfing trip from Venice to Sicily, which was the best thing ever i think. Second place comes a backpack trip throughout Greece, staying at friends' places. And third must be my 4 week stay in Kos, working at the most hospitable familybusiness i've ever known!

What I Can Share with Hosts

My schedule differs from week to week and i don't work regular hours. But i'm always more than willing to provide the best information, share my bicycle, my house, my food and my time to give you a true Dutch experience!

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, England, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland

Countries I’ve Lived In

Netherlands