I'm a creative type who enjoys the performing arts, making YouTube videos, and writing. I also actively seek new experiences because it feels great to expand my horizons!

I graduated from the University of Iowa in 2021 with a bachelor's in English and creative writing. Since then, I've been a tutor and freelancer, though more recently I've been working a job that involves editing AI chatbots so they're grammatically correct, devoid of formatting issues, and safe.

My hope with traveling more is to connect with new people, learn things, and gain experiences that I can channel into my creative works.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Couchsurfing seems like a fantastic way to meet people who are familiar with the location I'm traveling to. They'll know what to do and where to go, which could be more fun than just going off what TripAdvisor suggests. The result could be seeing parts of a new location I never would've otherwise.

Staying with someone is also an opportunity to get to know another person's story, see the world from an alternate perspective, and potentially make a new friend. Part of what appeals to me about traveling in the first place is expanding my social circle, so taking the chance to live alongside a local feels like an opportunity I can't pass up!

Interests

• theater
• hiking
• filmmaking
• youtube
• film
• vlogging
• creative writing

Music, Movies, and Books

Music-wise, I've got a pretty eclectic taste. I'd say I like classic rock (Bon Jovi, Rush), synthwave (that type of music that's typically associated with the 80s), and jazz (no specific artist, I just like the sound of it, lol).

My favorite movies include, but are not limited to: Back to the Future, Jurassic Park, the Avengers, the Empire Strikes Back, and the Man from Earth. Sci-fi is my favorite genre, though I'm always open to talking about or seeing stuff that's outside my usual.

Book-wise, my absolute favorite authors I'd have to bring with me to a desert island are Stephen King (Revival) and Michael Crichton (Jurassic Park). King's writing style is so much fun to read, and Crichton's hard sci-fi approach makes me feel like the fantastical subjects in his stories could really be possible, like a theme park with dinosaurs in it.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

In 2015, while I was in the Boy Scouts, I led a backpacking trip to the Southwestern United States with some of my closest friends. Although the journey was long and didn’t go perfectly, it taught me valuable lessons about travel and preparation, and it helped spark a lasting desire to see the world.

Teach, Learn, Share

Here are my social media profiles:

Instagram: https://rb.gy/8t51fd
Bluesky: https://rb.gy/jpo5bf

I've also got a YouTube channel where I make commentary-style videos on everything from movies to interesting stuff I find on the internet. There's no pressure to watch any of my videos, but they do offer at least a glimpse of my personality:

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@NicholasGresik

What I Can Share with Hosts

I'm always game for good conversation and searching out something cool together, whether that be attending a museum, sampling a restaurant, or exploring somewhere completely new. Though my budget's tight, I wouldn't mind buying a ticket or a meal for my host to show my appreciation.

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, England, France, Italy, Spain

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States