CURRENT MISSION

Experience new things, have fun

ABOUT ME

I was born in Haarlem, the Netherlands, and moved to Raleigh, North Carolina when I was 7. I went to UNC Chapel Hill for Undergraduate and moved back to Holland to get my masters (polish up my Dutch, experience the culture I'm from as an adult, etc. : )). I just moved to Berkeley, California to pursue a PhD in Molecular and Cell Biology. I love traveling, learning new languages, and really getting to know the culture of a place through people. I am pretty open minded and can make friends with almost anyone!

PHILOSOPHY

Work to live, not live to work.

The dead know only one thing, it's better to be alive.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I host as well as surf!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I spent the summer of 2009 couchsurfing through France and Spain. I absolutely loved the experience because the immediate immersion that happens when you stay with locals is fantastic! I met many great people with very interesting viewpoints : ). I try to couchsurf as often as I can when I travel!

Interests

SOCCER, traveling, learning languages, piano, science, movies, friends!!!

• culture
• movies
• traveling
• piano
• hiking
• soccer
• biology
• languages
• science

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: Rihanna, Lana del Rey, The Feeling, Snow Patrol, Coldplay, Green Day, James Blunt, Jeff Buckley, Jack Johnson, Bob Dylan, CCR, James Taylor, Norah Jones, The Doors, Rolling Stones, Simon and Garfunkel, Van Morrison, Johnny Cash, Fiona Apple, Cat Stevens, Bee Gee's, Cake, Regina Spektor, Amy Winehouse, Katie Melua, Jim Croce, Chicago, R.E.M, Radiohead, The Beatles, Crosby Stills Nash and Young, Ray Charles, Sting, Seal, John Hiatt, Eric Clapton, The Eagles, Lovin' Spoonful, The Mama's and the Papa's, Janis Joplin, The Animals, Brandi Carlile, Jump Little Children, Postal Service, My Chemical Romance (some stuff, ahem..), Enya, Tenacious D, Ying Yang Twins, Eminem, Lupe Fiasco, Billy Joel, Alice Smith, Eva Cassidy, Queen (last but by far not least)- I go through phases so favorite variesMovies: Catfish, 127 Hours, Life is beautiful, Forrest Gump, Babbel, Zoolander, Shaun of the Dead.Books: Sarah's key, My Sister's Keeper, The Prophet (Kahil Gabran), Into the Wild

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Climbed Mt. Everest... I wish... probably hiking the Grande Canyon with my dad down to the Colorodo river... but not going back up :)

Teach, Learn, Share

I think that couchsurfing is a great way for me to learn more about the culture and improve my language skills. Plus staying with locals will be much more eye-opening and intriguing.

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