My name is Ross Mclachlan and I was born and raised in Leicester city, in England. My mother is also from Leicester, but my father moved there from Scotland when he was 15. He met my mother when he was 21 and married 3 years later which led to
me being the youngest of 3 children, having a bigger brother and sister.

My mother once said that I have a flair for languages during a meeting with my primary school teachers at parent's evening. This has always stayed with me and the school enrolled me into German classes at the age of 10 after seeing me excel in French from the age of 7.

I have taken advantage of this ability for languages and attended university, achieving a degree in English & Education then travelled to the Middle East for a year to teach English as a foreign language before returning to complete my MA in English Language Teaching. In addition, I aim to achieve mastery in Arabic after studying it for 13 years and practised using this language in the Middle East. I wish to use English as tool to travel and see the world.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I have lost contact with a friend who bought me tickets to Paris on 2nd July until 14th July. I have never been to Paris before and don't want to waste this opportunity and these train tickets, but I need a place to stay. I wish to find some like-minded people who will generously accommodate me. I am simple minded, expecting nothing luxurious. I will feel safe and satisfied with a roof over my head. In exchange, I am willing to help with chores around the house and I can offer opportunities for people to learn and/or improve their English. Also, I am a qualified swimming teacher and can teach fitness and self defence classes. I don't smoke or drink and I am very clean and tidy, showing courtesy for others.

Interests

• reading
• hiking
• sports
• martial arts
• swimming
• religion
• travel
• climbing
• charity
• organising events
• youth and community projects

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

In 2010, I cycled from the East Midlands of England to Scotland via the West coast through Glasgow, paying an unexpected visit to family I had never met, which resulted in them visiting my father after 47 years, then conquered my fear of heights by climbing the UK's biggest mountain, Ben Nevis for Save the Children charity, followed by a short cycle down the East coast to visit the capital city, Edinburgh and caught a train home that was generously donated by the nation's train company. This event was part of a chain of charity events that I initiated in 2008 with a sponsored run for my local hospital's newborn babys' unit and continued through the years, including a sponsored run with the Olympic gold medalist, Mohammed Farah for Kashmiri orphans, a marathon for LOROS and a recent trek through the Atlas Mountains for the innocent people suffering in Syria.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Many things, especially teaching English, Arabic, martial arts and swimming. Please read my profile for more details and feel free to make further enquiries.

Countries I’ve Visited

France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Morocco, Scotland, Spain, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Wales

Countries I’ve Lived In

England, Saudi Arabia