Hello there :-)

Who am I ?
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Héloïse Dubois, a 29 years old belgian woman coming from the suburbs of Brussels (the capital city of Belgium). I actually grew up in different parts of Belgium - which is, as you might know, a country having a complex configuration -, in Wallonia and in Flanders (where I now live). All that gave me a quite good understanding of these two different cultures. I find important - and necessary - to be able to talk Dutch - one of the three official languages in Belgium - and I'm actually learning that language. Talking about my country is, by the way, something that I love doing, as I find it interesting and worth visiting !

Concerning my family, I've got an older sister, Diane, who resides in Brussels with her canadian husband and their little boy.

What did I study ?
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I've always been interested in languages, actually I find languages - and foreign languages learning - fascinating... That's why I choose to study modern languages and literatures, in English and Spanish. I took a slightly different orientation for my master's degree as I choose to study Languages applied to communication, with a specialisation in multiculturality. The contact between different languages - and hence cultures - is to me a fascinating area. During my master's degree, I also had the opportunity to learn a third - that makes a bunch of languages ! - language, which for me was Dutch.

My centers of interest ?
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I'm one of those people who are interested in, basically, everything... Be it history, philosophy, languages naturally, sciences, mathematics and even IT (I even started to learn coding last year, and I plan to resume when I'll be back home)... This wide and general interest makes me a great person to hang out with ! :-) But don't think I'm boring, not at all ! I'm kind of funny, most of the time without willing to be... :-D

I'm also interested in yoga - which I try to practice on a daily basis - and meditation (and more precisely in mindfulness, which I try to daily practice too). I've just discovered, actually during my stay in Canada, how the practice of yoga and meditation could make my life richer, more peaceful, more interesting and make me become a better person. This is an area I love to talk about - and more specially with people who've got the same interest ;-)

Nutrition and organic food is something that interests me a lot and my diet is actually gluten and dairy-free. But I can make exceptions for like a beer from time to time - I'm belgian, remember ? :)

What are my leisures ?
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Travelling, of course :) So far, I've just visited two continents - Europe, where I was born and raised - and America (United States and Canada). I still have got plenty of places to visit in Europe and I would like to visit the five other continents. To be continued...

I definitely love sport and I practice indoor climbing, running, trekking - especially in the mountains -, walking in general and swimming. Doing sport has become something vital for me as it's a way to relax for an anxious person like me :)

I love music - in general, but with a slight preference for indie rock, folk and electro, going to concerts and I've actually started to learn guitar while I was in Canada.

And now... what is my occupation ?
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As mentioned earlier, I hold a Work and Holiday Visa enabling me to work during one year in the whole of Canada. After having worked during three years in Brussels, in differents areas, I've decided to take the opportunity to go to Canada through the program International Experience Canada. So far, I had never lived outside of my country for more than three weeks... It was therefore difficult to take the plunge, but I don't regret it at all... Through this experience, I've realized how much you learn about yourself and about others while travelling. There are so many things to discover and meetings to do that I regret not having decided to leave my country earlier, even if I do love my country. Canada will for sure not be the last country I'll visit. Now that I've acquired the taste of travel, I'm not gonna stop for a good long while !

Concerning my canadian experience :
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I've decided to start my canadian adventure in Toronto, where I've arrived on 8th June of this year. After a bit more than one month, I've found a job in an organics grocery store in Kensington Market - a great place if you've not visited it yet ! I've worked in this shop during a bit more than 4 months, before deciding to head west, direction Vancouver. I'm actually coming back home end of December, as I miss my family, my friends and my country in general :) But maybe I'll be back next year, who knows ?

I've been in Vancouver since the 3rd December and will stay till 29th December. During my stay, besides visiting the city, and the neighborhoods - Vancouver Islands, Whistler,... -, I would like to spend a few days in Seattle. I've heard so many positive stuff about that city ! A must-seen, I was told.

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I hope this - long - profile - has given you a more precise idea of who I am and made you want to meet me ! :)

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

My canadian adventure is for me more than just a travelling experience. It's also an opportunity to meet people, discover new cultures, ways of living, languages, ways of thinking... This is how I see travel, and I truly think that each person I meet has got something to teach me, and the other way around.

More than just a way to have a free accomodation or a free shower, Couchsurfing is a wonderful way to meet people, all around the world. It's an opportunity to discover a place not through the eyes of touristic guide but through the eyes of a local, which is totally different. And that is what I want to discover, be it by a short stay at the host's place, getting together for a drink or a coffee, going to an exhibition or a concert, or by going for a walk through the city.

It's my first time as a surfer and I hope I'll have the opportunity to live this experience during my final weeks in Canada !

Interests

• diy
• farmers' market
• organic food
• yoga
• running
• meditation
• music
• live music
• swimming
• communications
• travelling
• cinema
• trekking
• exhibitions
• mindfulness
• nutrition
• foreign languages
• indoor climbing
• teaching french

Music, Movies, and Books

Music :
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Basically everything, with a preference for indie rock, folk and electro.

Some of my favourite singers/bands include :
- Foals
- Tame Impala
- Vampire Weekend
- The Strokes
- Radiohead
- Boogie Belgique
- Gotan Project

Movies:
I don't like horror movies and not that much thrillers. I've got a strong preference for independant and inspiring movies, which "leave a mark" on me.

Some of my favourite movies include:
- Little Miss Sunshine
- Eat, Pray, Love (I'm currently reading the book, too !)
- The Reader
- La Vita e Bella
- The Pianist
- The Tree of Life

Some of my favourite books include:
- La Plage d'Ostende by Jacqueline Harpman (a belgian author)
- Eat, Pray, Love (currently reading it) by Elizabeth Gilbert
- The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
- The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
- A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I've not done many amazing things in my short life, but these two things do stand out:

- Crossing - almost - the whole of Canada by train ! I've decided to travel by train from Toronto to Vancouver, a decision I don't regret at all ! It was a long way - three days and four nights ! - but full of meetings and time to read, think and meditate. I highly recommend it if you've got the time !

- During my first day in Vancouver, dropping the tip of my toes in the freezing waters of Vancouver Harbour.

Teach, Learn, Share

What I can teach :
- French ;)
- Some Spanish ;
- Basic notions of indoor climbing ;
- My - limited - knowledge about yoga and meditation ;

What I'd be happy to learn :
- Improve my English, Spanish and Dutch ;
- Learn new languages ;
- Learn about a new city, new ways of thinking, new cultures, new ways of living,...
- Learn more about yoga, meditation, sport,...
- Anything else ! :)

What I'd like to share :
- Inspiring talks about anything !
- A good meal, lunch or dinner ;
- A coffee, a drink or a beer ;
- A walk through the city ;
- A visit of an exhibition or a concert ;
- I'm open to plenty of things as long as I can meet interesting, nice and inspiring people :-)

What I Can Share with Hosts

I'd be happy to share a lunch or a dinner, a drink, a coffee or a beer !

I can also bring chocolates, beers or other drinks, cook a delicious meal, give French lessons, share an indoor climbing session or a run,...

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Canada