My name is Stephanie (my friends call me Steph) and I am originally from a small town in Lower Bavaria, Germany.

I like to give new things a try, to film and edit videos, to eat good food (especially pizza and sushi), to be a tourist in my own town, to see new and not so touristy places, my free and footloose life as a student, to not have a completely structured life, to read books from the 20th century, to talk to people about everything and nothing.
I could go on like this forever, but this is probably enough for a first short impression of me.
If you want to find out even more, then check out my sisters' and my youtube channel (Mostly in German, but some travel videos can still be watched as a non-German speaker)
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCR1bnLLy41OjBiPLU-yvW4Q

PHILOSOPHY

I believe in coincidence, not in fate. I believe that you more likely regret the things you haven't done, than the things you have actually done. So go and make, create and change things!
I think you can decide every single day what to do with your life. But I also think that humans run into danger to let themselves predetermine by education, society and not at least genes. But I still believe in the true good of every single human person, unless they convince me from the opposite.
I believe you can be happy no matter where you are but with whom you are. And for me, happiness is only real when shared, no matter how cheesy that sounds. :D

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Years ago when I was younger, I used to stay at hotels when I went to a new country. Back then I wasn't traveling, I was on vacation.

But then after my A-levels in Germany, I decided to move to Nairobi for half a year - left alone to myself with the age of 18. This experience literally changed my life. The travel bug bit me and I started to travel. Due to financial issues and my urge to get closer to the real habits and locals of a country, I found this platform called Couchsurfing.
I gave it a try and now - a few years later - I surfed several couches in more than ten countries and met so many nice, generous and fun hosts. I also met up with some surfers especially in Nairobi and Leipzig and I count some of them to my friends by now.
For once my sister and I hosted two surfers from Seoul at my parents' house - and not only I but also my parents really liked the experience.

Still going to a hotel when I am traveling is hardly conceivable for me nowadays. I don't want to miss the feeling of getting really close to the locals, the culture and their way of living and that's why I am on Couchsurfing.

Interests

I am interested in arts (modern art and art from the 20th century), architecture (all periods of time), different cultures and lifestyles. I am interested in psychology, why humans are like they are, and in sports (especially snowboarding, riding and yoga).

• arts
• culture
• books
• photography
• traveling
• bungee jumping
• snowboarding
• sports
• videos
• video editing

Music, Movies, and Books

I listen to literally all kind of music. Sometimes I am in the mood for alternative, indie kind of music, sometimes I need electronic dance music and sometimes I like to listen to unknown german bands.

One of my favorite books is "Die unerträgliche Leichtigkeit des Seins" by Milan Kundera. But I also like the books from Max Frisch like "Homo faber" and "Stiller".

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

One of the most amazing things I've done so far, was a safari at the Masai Mara National reserve in Kenya. The unending breadth of nature, seeing until then unknown animals in real life without a fence and the fact that I could share the moment with my parents, were more than amazing.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I can share with hosts my travel experience, a lot of knowledge about Kenya and some random anecdotes. Or whatever you want to know. :)

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Kenya, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Monaco, Myanmar, Netherlands, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, United Kingdom, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Germany, Kenya, Malta, Singapore