Niall here - born in London, grew up in Dublin, travelled and worked in Southeast Asia since between 2010 and 2018, now living back in my birthplace, London, UK.

I'm open-minded but opinionated; easy-going but passionate; serious but fun-loving; and respectful of different viewpoints and beliefs but intolerant of bigotry.

I've lived through many different situations and studied and worked in the international development research field for several years, so I'm interested in all kinds of global social, political and economic issues and always up for a deep discussion about any kind of topic. But I also just enjoy the simple pleasures of life, like walking in nature, eating delicious food or stopping to chat with a random person on the street.

我为什么加入 Couchsurfing

Travelling without meeting locals is a bit like going to a zoo - you pay to go in, walk around, stare at things, take a few photos and go home.

For me, travel is about connecting with my fellow human beings, especially people from different walks of life from my own. These experiences have reinforced my understanding that people everywhere share the same basic needs, desires and concerns, no matter how big the 'cultural' and linguistic barriers seem to be!

兴趣

I enjoy eating and cooking lots of different foods (mostly vegetarian), good discussions, reading, many genres of music, independent film, travel etc.

I also enjoy parties, live music, music festivals, going out to bars, even clubs (depending on the music and crowd ;) ).

• electronic music
• scuba diving
• activism
• advocacy
• environmentalism
• independent film
• progressive politics
• global issues

音乐、电影和书籍

Music - electronica, experimental, dub, reggae, techno, house, jazz, alternative rock/pop
Films - independent, art-house, avant-garde, foreign films, anything with a positive message about humanity
Books - critical theory, philosophy, history, political economy, spirituality, James Joyce, China Miéville, Arundhati Roy, Philip K Dick, other interesting novels, plays, poetry

我做过的一件不可思议的事情

Scuba-diving with manta rays in Komodo National Park, Flores, Indonesia.

教，学，和分享

I respect all ways of seeing and living, as long as they don't harm others. I believe that by listening and learning from those with different viewpoints we can transcend the tribal politics and misinformation which divide us.

我可以与沙发主分享些什么

I have a wide range of interests and love discussing important issues like development, politics, philosophy, religion (although I'm personally not religious), and I'm also very easy-going, respectful and interested in others' perspectives.

I have learned a lot from living among people who have very different backgrounds and life experiences from my own. These experiences have taught me a lot, especially to be humble and appreciate how lucky I have been to be born in the place and time where I was. They have also energised me to give back to the world more than I take (although this is the hardest part!), and I hope to continue learning about and contributing to the world as much as possible in the coming years.

我游览过的国家

Austria, Belgium, Cambodia, Cuba, Denmark, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Iran, Italy, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste (East Timor), Tunisia, Turkey, United States, Viet Nam

我居住过的国家

Ireland, Timor-Leste (East Timor), United Kingdom