Hi all!

I am Isa, currently working as freelance graphic designer and conflict analyst. In my spare time, you'll find me climbing, getting late-night-ice-creams, wandering around contemporary art museums, hosting bbq's on the roof terrace, bike riding, playing pétanque with a glass of pastis in hand or bartending at the local art house movie theater.

Hit me up if you're in Utrecht and want to hang out or need a couch to crash. I'd love to show you around the city, drink beer in some of my favourite bars or enjoy live music.

I'm easygoing, sociable, open-minded, easily excited and energetic. Happy to share my place with everyone who wants to explore this quaint lively student town together.

I currently stay in a small apartment in the city center of Utrecht, and have a comfi air mattress ready if you want to stay over.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I'd never had the opportunity to host people in the past, but now that I do, I'd love to give back to the community that hosted me so many times!

Interests

Food, food, food, books, bouldering, contemporary art, climbing, graphic design, creative writing, history, soccer (playing, not watching), language barriers, music festivals, world politics, typography, subversive movies, photography, croissants

Music, Movies, and Books

Music (in no particular order): The Cat Empire, TATRAN, The National, The War on Drugs, Cigarettes After Sex, Khruangbin, The Velvet Underground, Pi Ja Ma, BADBADNOTGOOD, Nina Simone, Andy Shauf, Agar Agar, Fink, Kurt Vile, La Dispute, Nightmares on Wax, Snarky Puppy, El Morabba3, Bob Dylan

Some writers I enjoy: Carson McCullers, Niña Weijers, Julian Barnes, Lieke Marsman, Ian McEwan, Khalil Gibran, Colum McCann, Toon Tellegen, Eyal Weizman and Imme Dros.

Movies I could/should watch again: Festen, Monos, Good Bye Lenin, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Taxi Tehran, La Jaula De Oro

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Travelling the Mashreq solo when I was eighteen. Born and bred in the Netherlands, I'd never properly experienced cultures outside of the EU, but was immensely curious to encounter new languages, places, food and people. Taking the first opportunity, I bought a one-way ticket to Amman and roamed around the area for four months.

Teach, Learn, Share

This phrase was written on the wall of a toilet stall somewhere in Berlin: Everyone knows at least one thing that you don't. Let's share our one thing.

Countries I’ve Visited

Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, China, Croatia, Denmark, Egypt, England, France, Georgia, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Netherlands, Norway, Palestine, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, South Africa, Spain, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States, Vatican City State, Viet Nam, Wales

Countries I’ve Lived In

Netherlands