CURRENT MISSION

Trying to finish my PhD dissertation.

ABOUT ME

Ciao! I'm Andrea, but most of my friends call me Mazzu, which is short for Mazzurco (my last name).

I was born and grew up in Milano (Nothern Italy), but my mom's family is from sicily and I'm a balanced mix of the Sicilian warm and laid-back culture and northern Italian more workaholic culture.

I currently living in USA where I am taking a PhD in Engineering Education with a focus on teaching students socially just and environmentally sustainable practices.

I am engaged with an amazing, strong, independent Brazilian woman, who lives in Southern Brazil. Because of this, I go to Brazil very often and I became fluent in Portuguese. I love Brazilian culture, and with my fiance I have been learning to dance forrò and sertanejo.

I enjoy travellig by myself with the purpose of meeting locals and discover their culture. Exchanging cultural prospectives opened my eyes and realized there is always something new to learn about others, but especially about myself.

I'm shy at the beginning, but I become very outgoing after exchanging few words. I like to discover things that are completely new to me.

I was some sort of rocket scientist, or at least this is how people imagine me when they find out I got master and bachelor degrees in aeronautics and astronaustics engineering. I dreamed for a long time to send humans in the space and maybe be a astronaut myself. However, now I hope I can empower the disfranchised to create a more just and equal society.

PHILOSOPHY

I like to think that if we all have at least one friend in each country of the world, we would avoid all conflicts and live in peace. Moreover, by having friends from all over the world, we would understand the cultural differences that separates countries and stop fearing what is different from us.

I believe that anything that brings interior peace and happiness to you, it's the right thing for you.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I will be traveling a lot for conferences and I cannot afford to pay for all the expanses associated with both traveling and lodging. Moreover, I would like to learn more about the places I will visit. Consequently, I think couch-surfing can be a very effective way to save money and learn more about new spaces.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I've never hosted anybody throught CS, but I always have people at my house in Milano. Whenever friends come to visit I offer my bedroom and I take them around Milano showing them the best places of my hometown.

In West Lafayette, the city where I live currently I've never had the opportunity to host, but my place has always been open to my roommates' friends and family.

Interests

I like to play sports. I swam when I was younger, then I played basketball for a long time. I occasionally play 5vs5 soccer with my friends. I like to try new sports. I tried baseball, volleyball, beach-volley, beach soccer and boxing. I like to run outside and work out in parks.

My passion is soccer of course (I'm italian!), and my favorite soccer team is Inter. I try not to miss any game. I often go to the stadium when I'm in milano.

I like to cook especially when I'm with friends. I think there is nothing better than an homemade tasty meal and wine/beer with the people I care for and enjoy being with.

• culture
• dancing
• education
• dining
• italian food
• cooking
• wine
• beer
• running
• working out
• drinking
• aviation
• technology
• traveling
• surfing
• scuba diving
• sports
• baseball
• basketball
• boxing
• soccer
• volleyball
• teaching
• engineering
• languages
• mathematics
• physics
• science
• beaches
• parks

Music, Movies, and Books

I used to watch lots of tv, but now I just don't have time. I watch tv shows and movies on streaming before going to sleep.

I like to listen to Rock, especially oldies. But I enjoy any kind of music, depending on the situations. I prefer house or electro when i go to clubs and raggea music when i want to relax.

I like Latin american dances and I have been learning to dance forrò and sertanejo, but I am still a beginner.

I don't read a lot.. I have already read too much for school!

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Depends what you consider amazing.. developing the technology for a rocket to mars? Scuba diving in the red sea? Winning 200$ at black jack in Las Vegas? Dancing samba and forro in brasil?

Teach, Learn, Share

I used to teach italian in USA to pay my tuition.. so I'll be glad to teach Italian to you!
I like to learning languages, so please teach me yours!

Now I am a research assistant.

If you need help in math or physics you can surely ask a rocket scientist!

What I Can Share with Hosts

I like to cook Italian food and drink wine with friends. I will be happy to cook for you.

Countries I’ve Visited

Argentina, Austria, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Egypt, France, Germany, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, Singapore, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Brazil, Italy, United States