CURRENT MISSION

In 5 years time you will look back and regret the things you didn't do far more than the things you did

ABOUT ME

I'm Liam from Ireland but currently living in Lausanne, Switzerland working as a languages teacher in an international school. I love my job if I'm honest and the fact that it gives me the opportunity to travel lots is just a massive bonus. In a past life I work as a snowboard instructor so that allowed me to live and work in Canada, New Zealand and Switzerland.

Had an amazing 10 weeks last summer in South America backpacking and started Couchsurfing in March 2015, such an amazing way to travel and meet new like minded people.

Language learning is a big passion of mine. I've learnt Spanish, French, Portuguese, Gaelic Irish and a little German so it's always good to get the opportunity to practise whenever I can. It opens so many doors into the host culture and I love that so I'll always try and have the basic words or phrases of the language wherever I happen to be.

PHILOSOPHY

I treat people the way I would like them to treat me or my family, I respect people's choices, opinions and life decisions and I try to look after the planet and those around me wherever I can. I will always pay more for an experience than a product and I really believe that 'being lucky' is something you can make for yourself if you try hard enough.

I try to always live by the mantra I had on a basketball poster in my room as a child: "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take!"

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Pretty new to this. Recently had my first couchsurfing experience and loved it. I have just moved to a new apartment in Lausanne, sharing with 2 others, so hopefully we can start hosting some people now.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Very little. Surfed once earlier this year and it was great. Have recently got a new apartment so hopefully will have more hosts. I've also gone to a few CS events which were really fun. I've just had my second experience in Brussels and it was amazing!! I love this way of traveling, meeting such cool people and sharing great experiences. I'm sold!

Interests

Travelling, surfing, snowboarding, meeting new people, playing guitar, singing, chatting, drinking coffee in the sun, taking in a breathtaking landscape... Where do I stop? Massive fan of all things music and love going to festivals. I'm also a little addicted to learning languages. I've learnt Spanish, French, German, Gaelic Irish and some Portuguese. Trying to get some Italian now and loving it. It's just such a buzz being able to chat and communicate with people in their mother tongue even on a basic level.

• culture
• singing
• festivals
• cooking
• coffee
• instructor
• drinking
• tv
• traveling
• music
• guitar
• backpacking
• surfing
• snowboarding
• basketball
• soccer
• world cup
• teaching
• languages

Music, Movies, and Books

Wow... too many to mention. Music: James Vincent McMorrow, Bon Iver, Parov Stelar, Ben Howard, The XX, The Naked and Famous, MGMT, Daft Punk, The Lumineers, Miike Snow and many many more!

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Went snowboarding with Mumford and Sons... Honest.

I was interviewed by Brazilian national Tv... In Portuguese at the World Cup in 2014... And they thought I was Dutch as I wearing the Dutch football top since my Dutch mate (Who I met the day before for the first time!) gave me the ticket!

Teach, Learn, Share

Happy to teach and help people with their languages (thats me job!) or their snowboarding (I was an instructor for 4 years). I am always keen to learn more too so share, share, share people. I love to cook, although I am far from an expert, and love to learn about local cuisine and cooking techniques!

What I Can Share with Hosts

Chats, banter, laughs, good 'craic' (Irish for fun!), funny stories, a song, some cooking and an intellectual conversation!

I am also a fountain of knowledge for those wishing to visit Ireland some day who want the 'locals' secret tips of where to get the best pint of Guinness among many other vital facts!!

I've not been in Lausanne very long but happy to show people round and tell them everything I know!

Countries I’ve Visited

Andorra, Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Ecuador, England, Fiji, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Scotland, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Wales

Countries I’ve Lived In

Canada, France, Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland, Spain, Switzerland