Hi, I am a recent college-graduate from the U.S. and I have been traveling for the past two months. So far, I have camped, worked on farms, and depended on the kindness of others. My interests include architecture, history, music, textile and fiber arts, videography, writing, and agriculture.

Since graduating with a bachelor’s degree in History of the Middle East and Arabic in May, 2024, I have been traveling and starting a career as a journalist. I am particularly interested in long-form writing and documentary filmmaking. In the future I plan to earn a masters degree in journalism.

My journey started in Georgia, where I made a short film about working on a farm and completed a wonderful work away at a vineyard where I painted murals with my friend from the United States. Then, I spent some time camping in Eastern Turkey, and travelled further to Kurdistan and Iraq, where I am currently. While in Iraq I’ve been working on a documentary about a Kurdish violin-maker. At the very beginning of December I am traveling to Oman, a place I have always wanted to visit, and where I hope to produce another documentary about Omani culture.

I also have YouTube channel, which is just my name: ianmcclurechute

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Solidarity, Like many people I love to travel, and I have been privileged to visit a few countries so far in my life. What I have learned through this experience is that no number of museums can amount to the joy of making friendship with local people. People are the real delight of travel! This trip has changed my outlook on travel significantly. I now understand what it means to give all my strength to care for animals, and to invest my time and attentions into the dreams of strangers. Reciprocity is such an important part of life: giving as well as taking, and I strive to live by this principle.

Interests

Books, animals, and trees

Music, Movies, and Books

Favorite movie: Breathless by Godard or The Square by Ostlund
Favorite book: Profanations by Agamben
Favorite Song: Cherish by Nina Simone

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Camp in -4 degrees on a 2.3k meters high mountain in Dogubeyazit.

Teach, Learn, Share

I can only teach about my perspective on the world, and I hope to learn about yours too.

What I Can Share with Hosts

How to cook Georgian Khashlama

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, Colombia, England, France, Georgia, Italy, Morocco, Palestine, Spain

Countries I’ve Lived In

Jordan, United States