Hi! I am an easy-going Dutch design student on exchange in New Zealand.
I am pretty relaxed and really like art and creativity. I love sketching and drawing. I draw the places I go and the people I meet and at home I have a little business painting murals (https://fb.com/graffitivanthijs).
I also like reading and watching good movies and playing around with analog photography.
While travelling I hope to see some more of the amazing sights and nature. Coming from flat, urban Netherlands, exploring mountains, forests and fiords has been amazing. I enjoy being outside and in nature. Some of the tramps I have been on on weekends and breaks while studying were so great!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

To get to know YOU!

I am planning on road-tripping and hitchhiking across New Zealand soon, after finishing classes early November. I hope to get to know some new people, share some stories and experiences and learn about the country and it's people.

I have used couchsurfing before, while backpacking in Australia a couple of years ago. You can find references from my time there on the profile of the girl I was with at the time, Pleun (https://www.couchsurfing.com/people/pleun-langerwerf). Staying with people we met through couchsurfing was always such an enjoyable and more valuable experience back then that I have updated my account and am eager to start using the platform again!

Interests

Drawing and doodling is definitely my no. 1 hobby but I also enjoy other types of creativity. I was a parttime graffiti artist at home, and I really geek out about people making stuff.

• arts
• graphic design
• street art
• photography
• comics
• movies
• drawing
• surfing
• science
• nature
• creativity
• illustration
• analog photography
• tramping
• stereo photography

Music, Movies, and Books

🎧: My taste in music is all over the place. I'll probably like whatever you put on.

🎬: I love watching movies! Quentin Tarantino, Wes Anderson, Edgar Wright and Taika Waititi are some directors I admire.
I have sort of a soft spot for everything animation: Pixar, Aardman, Ghibli, Disney, Laika, you name it...

📖: I love comics, Tintin being my all time favorite.
I really like a good book but usually can't find the patience and time to read one. Audiobooks come in handy. I can really recommend the quirky, wild, adventurous books by Jonas Jonasson.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Sea-kayaking with dolphins and wales in South Africa.

Teach, Learn, Share

Happy to cook for you some time while staying :)
Also, I would love to share anything to do with art or illustration if you're interested.

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Turkey, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia, Netherlands, New Zealand