Hello! (a touch generic)

My name is Michael, I am a 22 year old male embarking on my first overseas experience without a return ticket. I grew up in New Zealand in a small town called Levin just north of the capital, Wellington. I moved to the capital when I was 19 and lived for the last 3 years. I have visited the United States on one occasion for a football tournament when I was 17 and visited Australia a couple of times too. I have worked in finance for most of my working career since leaving high school, since earning enough money to buy a ticket out of the country to explore the world.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I am couch surfing because my one way ticket took me as far as Rome, Italy to stay with a former work colleague, Ajith, who is the other gentleman in my picture. I am staying in Rome until 30th April 2015 and then going to Sri Lanka with Ajith for two weeks before returning to Europe on the 12th of May, where I currently haven't got anywhere to stay. I have plans for August to travel around Europe by train with a friend and in September I am going to Delhi to visit the Taj Mahal with my sister and her friends, before embarking on the Himalayas in Nepal where we intend to climb up to base camp. Eventually coming back to Europe again in October to take up a working visa in the UK and trying to find a job and try and save again so I can do smaller trips around Europe.

So essentially from this, I am just interested in finding accommodation for around 10 weeks between 12 May and 1st August 2015.

Interests

My biggest interest would be football, which I have played since I was 7 and very competitively in the last 5 years of my life. After travelling to the US to play in a football tournament and rejecting a scholarship to play and study in New York (that's another story altogether), I have played in New Zealand at the highest level, with a couple of friends now professional footballers here in Europe. After missing the cut to professional football I turned to gaining employment in a financial institution, which worked out quite well. Analysing finances would be another interest, as I am/was genuinely passionate in my job about helping people become more financially secure and understanding of how the financial system works and how their lifestyles can become more sustainable.

I am also (obviously) interested in traveling! I seek wisdom, I enjoy intelligent conversations and the whatnot, I'm possibly the most extroverted introvert you're likely to meet. I also like to write, which transpires to talking. But I can be quiet.

• arts
• traveling
• camping
• surfing
• soccer
• working visa

Music, Movies, and Books

I'll listen to any music.
I watched The Imitation Game the other day, I thought it was very good.

Unfortunately books aren't high on my priority, which could be ironic. I mostly read the British GQ magazine, or articles I find on the internet relative to certain information I seek.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Managing to move out of my home town without a drug addiction, STD or pushing a pram.

Teach, Learn, Share

If someone could teach me the art of Tinder I would be greatly appreciative.

(okay I'll give up the jokes..!)

What I Can Share with Hosts

I will do anything that is required for the duration of my stay. I'm typically very punctual, tidy and understand the meaning of hard work.

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Italy, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

New Zealand