🚫 Quick note: This is not a dating app!
I’m here because I genuinely enjoy cultural exchange, meeting new people, and sharing stories. That said — I’m happily married 💛 Even though I’m currently traveling solo, I try to keep Couchsurfing free from unnecessary “romantic plot twists.”
So let’s talk about travels, culture, and everyday life — just don’t turn it into a love story 🙃

🚫 Nota rápida: ¡Esto no es una app de citas!
Estoy aquí porque realmente disfruto del intercambio cultural, conocer gente nueva y compartir historias. Dicho esto — estoy felizmente casada 💛 Aunque ahora viajo sola, prefiero que Couchsurfing se quede libre de “giros románticos” innecesarios.
Así que hablemos de viajes, cultura y vida cotidiana — solo no lo conviertas en una historia de amor 🙃

——

Hello, my name is Elane and I'm from Taiwan.

📌 https://abuga1999.wordpress.com/
📌https://medium.com/@elanelove0122

On weekdays, I work with elementary school kids in an after-school program. Nothing beats the moment when they run up to show me their drawings or laugh at my not-so-perfect basketball skills. I especially love working in indigenous communities, where I keep learning new traditions, songs, and stories that feel like hidden treasures.

On weekends, I switch roles and become a wedding consultant. That means I get to travel around Taiwan, helping couples create their big day. The best part? Watching a bride and groom look at each other with that “we made it” smile—it always makes the long planning hours worth it.

And when I’m not teaching or working at weddings, I set up little festival booths for my handmade crafts. Each piece carries a story from indigenous culture, and I love seeing strangers stop, listen, and leave with something that connects them to Taiwan in a new way.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Even though I juggle different jobs, I’ve never lost my adventurous spirit ✨ That’s why I’m here on Couchsurfing—to meet people from different cultures and share a little piece of Taiwan wherever I go.

If you have time, I’d love to wander around the city with you and hear your stories. If you’re busy, no worries—I’m perfectly happy to get lost on my own (usually in the best way 😆). And if there’s a gathering or event, count me in—I tend to blend in easily and enjoy connecting with new people ❤️

Interests

• culture
• education
• board games
• music
• travel
• adventure
• taiwan
• weddings
• indigenous cultures
• wedding planner
• rural education
• teach for all

Music, Movies, and Books

BOOK
- Counselling for Toads: A Psychological Adventure by Robert de Board
- Playful Parenting by Lawrence J. Cohen

I have always hoped that I could become a person who loves to read, so I signed up for a book club. But the truth is: I still prefer to learn by watching and doing.

MUSIC
I like all kinds of acoustic music. I like the feeling of relaxation and healing that it brings. I don't really like heavy metal music. Because of my work, I often listen to wedding recommendation playlists. :)

MOVIE
I love watching movies, especially movie analysis. I often find them very thought-provoking.

For example, I recently watched Dune, and last year I spent a week watching the entire Harry Potter series. I finally understood why there are so many fans. The magical world is really fascinating.

However, I still have several movies on my to-watch list, including:

- Murder on the Orient Express
- Inception
- Green Book
- Coco
- Little Women
- Neerja

...and so on! I can't stop talking about them! Haha

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

One of the things I’m most proud of is choosing to take a gap year after high school instead of rushing straight into college.

I wanted to figure out what really mattered to me, so I used the world as my classroom. I started with a solo trip to Australia, then joined a workaway program in Taiwan. I spent time in indigenous communities—listening to their stories, learning their traditions, and even teaching children in after-school programs. Every conversation and experience helped me reflect on my beliefs and slowly sketch a blueprint for my future.

That decision gave me the courage to try many different roles later on: becoming a wedding consultant, starting my own handmade crafts brand, and traveling to new countries while volunteering or working with local families. Each chapter feels like a piece of the bigger story I’m still writing.

Now, I’m still chasing items on my dream list—like traveling the world through Couchsurfing. For me, it’s not just about seeing new places, but about collecting stories, exchanging cultures, and hopefully becoming a little more interesting each time I meet someone new.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I’d love to share stories about Taiwanese indigenous culture with you—and maybe even gift you a little handmade craft I designed myself, along with the meaning behind its totems.

I also enjoy cooking, especially Taiwanese food. Back home I often cook for friends, and during work-for-accommodation stays I’ve even cooked for a whole table of people. So if you’re up for it, I’d be happy to bring a taste of Taiwan to your kitchen.

If you’re curious about languages, I can teach you some Chinese—just enough for daily conversations or even a simple song.

And since I film travel videos for my YouTube channel, we could even record a fun little chat together (only if you’d like!) about culture shock, tasting Taiwanese snacks, or guessing the use of random gadgets.

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, China, India, Israel, Portugal, Taiwan, Thailand, United Kingdom, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Taiwan