A Dutch student on a gap year, trying to find out what I want out of life. So far I've had an amazing experience studying at a high school in Michigan for a year, gained a wider perspective and met many great people. What I love the most is to really connect with people and experience new ways in which others live their life.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I really like the idea of seeing a place I've never visited before through the eyes of a local. It can improve the travel experience so much. As someone once said: "A place is only as good as the people you know in it."

Interests

I love longboarding, it's just one of those things that once you learn it, it feels so good just cruising through the city. I've been into weightlifting since I went to the USA for a high school experience, my host family was very much into sport, which was contagious. Lately, I've read a lot about philosophy, especially Stoic philosophy. I'd love being fully able to put things into perspective, no matter where you are in life.

• culture
• exercise
• meditation
• traveling
• sports
• tourism

Music, Movies, and Books

Movies: Garden State, Waking Life, American Beauty, The Perks of being a Wallflower, Warm Bodies, Airplane!

Series: Castle, Twin Peaks

Books: The Man Who Mistook His Wife For A Hat, everything by Seneca, Wherever You Go, There You Are

Music: Cage The Elephant, Vampire Weekend, The Asteroids Galaxy Tours, Sting,
The Corrs, Simon & Garfunkel, Harry Nilsson, Agnes Obel, Eels

Games: Bioshock Infinite, Metro: Last Light

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Studied abroad for a year, met my wonderful host family and experienced what it's like to be an American high school student. I've learned that exercising often can do wonders and that the American culture is just so dang awesome, so positive, I love it.

Taught English to a class of 40 young children in the slums of Mumbai, India.

Teach, Learn, Share

Longboarding. I love cruising through the city, if you want I can help you learn to keep your balance and start going faster.

Meditation. I've been doing it for a while now and it has improved my mood, concentration and thinking many aspects of life. Meditation can be pretty difficult to get into, but as with weightlifting, having someone to guide you can make all the difference.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, India, Italy, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, Scotland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

Netherlands, United States