Hi! I'm an Italian and Ghanaian student looking for new experiences and adventures. I'm currently studying Political Science with a focus on the Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern regions at SciencesPo, an international university located in France, and will soon move to Istanbul to attend an exchange year at Boğaziçi University. I am a very curious person and I have so much trust for the power of community and solidarity thanks to some cool communitarian and anarchist readings I'd be glad to share with you. For this reason I am drawn to the couchsurfing community, and I hope to be more active here when I move to Istanbul for the coming academic year. Most importantly I hope to be a little part of those who make it a safer space for women and queer people traveling alone and struggling to feel welcome and safe.

As per my interests, I love language learning, reading, hiking and picnics, the dismantlement of the patriarchal neoliberal nation-state system and naps. I also adore music, and recently discovered the pure bliss of dancing in company (my current favourites are techno, dabke and bachata).

Last but not least, I love conversation about anything from literature and philosophy to tv series and cat memes, but comfortable quiet coexistence works just as fine.
I'll travel to Istanbul mid September to visit apartments and sign a contract, so I'm looking for someone to host me for a week or so before I find a place. I adapt easily, I'm not looking for anything fancy, all I need is a roof!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I'm curious to witness the expression of different cultures, meet new people and learn new languages, however the traditional perception of traveling, especially today, isn't very inclusive of broke students, both financially-wise and time-wise. Alongside the finantial motivation, the biggest reason why I chose to join this platform is that I increasingly feel that my peers and I are constantly pressured to be afraid of people, to feel guilty for chasing experiences - we are not allowed to move freely and to trust one another on the basis of shared interests and shared humanity.

Interests

• literature
• music
• backpacking
• hitchhiking
• art
• plants
• mountain

Music, Movies, and Books

My favourite books are Daniel Pennac's Malaussène Saga, a series of books that, if you ask me, is bound to age like fine wine. A slightly too perfect account of some of the most human things there are to explore: mistake, violence, irony, resilience and a thousand different forms of love all through a brilliantly witty protagonist and his improbable family. Second place goes to Antonio Tabucchi's 'Sostiene Pereira', a handfull of chapters containing a story of Lisbon under Salazar, a story speaking of self discovery, the power of decisions, and, most importantly, of ordinary revolution. Third place goes to Garcia Marquez's 'A hundred yaears of solitude', a classic. It kind of made me feel empty, but in the best way possible. I have a lot to say about this book, and I'd gladly do so in person!
My music taste is never static, but I never grew out of my TØP phase. My current favourites are Manu Chao, Italian electronic (like Cosmo) and progressive pop (like Laszlo De Simone), and Brazilian trio Tribalistas.
As per movies I enjoy everything but romance. My confort animations are Ponyo, Arietty and From Up on Poppy Hill.
Also, The Office, The Big Bang Theory and Avatar the last airbender will always have a place in my heart.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

A couple of summer I went on a road trip to Northern Ghana with my family. My family is originally from the capital, in the South, however Ghana is a country that contains so many cultural and geographical differences within it because of the history of its people and borders. I've seen and learnd so much, too much to write it here; perhaps I can talk about it more when we meet!

Teach, Learn, Share

I would be glad to teach some Italian skills, and the recipes of the most famous Italian dishes. Id also be super down to go dance together!
I'm curious to learn anything you have to offer! I'd love to learn new languages (currently working on French and Arabic), recipes, music and art and all else.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Food, music and quality time, as well as house chores if needed! (Of course no pressure to spend time together if it's not for you)

Countries I’ve Visited

Croatia, France, Ghana, Ireland, Monaco, Netherlands, Portugal, San Marino, Switzerland, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

France, Italy