Hello! My name is Rich and I am Architecture graduate, having just completed my degree at the University of Brighton (England) and the Technical University of Brno (Czech Republic). I have now left the UK, and am looking to find work in Europe as an Architectural Assistant, a necessary part of my studies before i go into my Masters study.

I am a very easy going guy, very positive and ever holding onto the beautiful richness of life. I try to live life with my eyes wide open - always looking to share a smile, exchange stories and merge worlds with the people i meet. I love to experience new people, and get to understand their wonderfully unique ambitions, routines, mistakes, triumphs and inherited crazinesses.

My father and his family are from Newcastle England, and my mothers family are from Køge, Denmark. I was born in Denmark, yet have lived in the UK most of my life - making me a dual national. I am a fluent English and Danish speaker (however some Danish has been lost on me over the years of being out the country!)

PHILOSOPHY

"The syntactical nature of reality, the real secret of magic, is that the world is made up of words, and if you know the words that the world is made of, you can make of it whatever you wish."

"If we were meant to stay in one place, we'd have roots instead of feet, he said."

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

To put it simply: BECAUSE I LOVE PEOPLE.

And to put it more in detail: For me, I think that by simply visiting a place and staying in a hotel, it isn't enough to fully understand the culture and the ethos of that city. When i travel i want to be fully immersed in the reality of that place, and over the years of being involved with couchsurfing - i have found it is the absolute BEST way to experience a city - through the guiding eyes of its friendly and welcoming inhabitants.

I truly feel that more than the sights, more than the food, and more than the historic monuments, THE PEOPLE are the ones that make a place what it is. Much better to have stories to tell, rather than stuff to show :).

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: Any thing and every thing that makes me dance! On one end of the spectrum i'm a big fan of 1950's Rock n Roll, but i also love Tech-house until no end! My favourite individual artist is most definitely the soulful Swedish folk singer, The Tallest Man on Earth.

Movies: Mr Nobody, Coherance, The Prestige, The Imitation Game, Synecdouche New York, Gone Girl, Old Boy, Requiem for a Dream... I really enjoy deeply psychological films, ones which drag me into the cinematic experience, play with my understandings and fling me back into the world with fresh perspective.

Books: The Prophet by Khalil Gibran, In Praise of Shadows by Junichiro Tanizaki, Artificial Love: A Story of Machines and Architecture by Paul Shepheard, From Hand To Mouth To India by Tom Thumb, What Technology Wants by Kevin Kelly, Steps Towards an Ecology of Mind by Gregory Bateson.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

In the Summer of 2014, myself and a friend hitch-hiked over 5000km through France, Spain, Portugal and back (to the UK) over the course of 2 months. We did this with no phones, no internet, just a map, a compass, and the belief that the kindness of others will guide us to where we are supposed to be. And sure enough, we made it! We were fortunate enough to visit 3 festivals, and meet some truly incredible people! An experience I will never forget, and one which i hope to repeat on a larger scale.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I can make some pretty tasty vegan dishes, i also make jewelry and often carry some extra natural homemade toothpaste and shampoo if you wanted to try. I can also teach you some Kundalini Yoga and Meditation techniques, either small tips and tricks to keep your body and mind in balance, or the whole two hour salutation/crea excerses if youre up for it!

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Northern Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russian Federation, Scotland, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Tunisia, Turkey, United States, Wales

Countries I’ve Lived In

Czech Republic, Denmark, England, Germany, Norway