Graduated from university as an MA and not having a clue what to do next. The idea of having a set plan for the rest of my life scares me.

I just quit my work at a placemaking intervention foundation, which is such an abstract description even I sometimes get confused. We bring people together to create something new in a place that has lost its original purpose: think of an old factory reused as a meeting place of many small initiatives, or an empty plot of land waiting for its next purpose.

I also just quit my other job; working at Tati, the coolest coffeeplace in Nijmegen. I made great friends here, and learned a lot on coffee, vegan cooking, latte art and how to bake great cakes. Will miss this crazy bunch of people heaps.

Apart from working, I love falling in love, with music, places, people. I love running, hiking, hanging out with friends, reading, and traveling! I'm not materialistic and I try to live my life in a way that balances between being on the move constantly and yet truly connecting with people. I try to appreciate the small things in life although it's not always easy when you want to experience so much and do a lot.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I'm looking forward to make new friends and get to know people and places in a way a regular tourist can't. Couchsurfing enables people to connect in a way tourists and strangers don't.

Interests

Music (from DnB to hiphop to local bands, Electro to Jazz) as corny as this sounds. I'll try to explain what I listen to currently so you get the idea: Sylvan Esso, Anderson. Paak, Brihang, Flume, Spinvis, Hockey Dad, Porter Robinson, I Am Oak, Noisia.

Music, Movies, and Books

There are so many good books. I got an MA In American Studies (which is a different version of a major in English :') So yeah.. Love novels on urban indigenous peoples) Great tips: A Visit From The Good Squad, The Bone People, Once Were Warriors, Americanah etc. etc.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I have been lucky to have done many amazing things:
- Live in New Zealand with a great Maori family for 7 months. Ka pai!
- Ride a motor bike in Viet Nam during the night, thinking it could've been my last
- Fall in love with people, over and over again
- Hike in British Columbia and Alberta, staying away from all mod cons for days, sleeping in mountain huts, enjoying wildlife
- Drive a 4WD over mountain passes in Iceland
- Hold and raise my own puppy (Bernese Mountain dog, RIP little Jopper)
- Enjoy cava and learn (and forget) to love doing nothing in Fiji. Bula Vinaka!
- Run half a marathon and realize it is really not for me, but better myself in a Viking Run.
- Have dinner at a three-star restaurant. Woah. De Leest, you are great! I feel so blessed!
- Hike to the end of the world in the Queen Charlotte Sound, NZ
- Get all fancy smoking sigars, sipping whisky in Prague
- Go to many amazing European festivals with my friends: Dour, Lowlands, Pinkpop.
- Skydive over Pahia,NZ
- Stay friends with the greatest people I have met over the years, and the number keeps on growing.
- Quit everything I was doing to go on a great adventure all alone. By far the scariest thing I've ever done. Who knows where I'll end up!

What I Can Share with Hosts

Laughs, good times, Dutch culture. I would love to take you around the city of Nijmegen, which I know like the back of my hand. Having lived here for many years, I know about great bars, parties, (urban) sceneries and am very much looking forward to share these findings.

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Austria, Belgium, Cambodia, Canada, China, Czech Republic, England, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Malta, New Zealand, Poland, Serbia, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, United States, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Canada, Netherlands, New Zealand