Hello, dear surfer or host, my name is Tom Abadie and I'm a student at the University of Essex, in the United Kingdom. I've lived most of my life with my parents near Paris and moved to the UK last October for studies. I was born with French and British nationalities and studied Spanish through secondary and high school. I have just completed my first year of Sociology & Politics. I want to become a journalist in the future or work for charities. Concerning journalism, I am fully enjoying working for the University magazine as well as the radio, which has become one of my great passions. I get to balance my huge passion for music as well as discussing a variety of topics. I guess you could say I am very sociable, which for me goes through being good at talking but also at listening to others.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I am going on Interrail this summer between mid-August and mid-September, where I'll be essentially travelling around Eastern/Central Europe to discover new cultures. I want to meet new people, as I will be travelling alone, I thought why not share the experience with locals. Hostels are nice, but I'm hoping that through this experience of surfing, I will get to see the real culture of each country I visit. Meeting new interesting people is the key to a successful Interrail.

Interests

• photography
• traveling
• music
• history
• food
• footbal

Music, Movies, and Books

Electronic/ House music - Don Diablo and Oliver Heldens
Pop/ Rock - Bastille and Bruno Mars

Favourite movies - Secret Life of Walter Mitty and Love Actually

Favourite TV Shows - Designated Survivor and Stranger Things

Favourite books - Sherlock Holmes, Maze Runner and Narnia

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Going to Costa Rica last summer was a life-changing experience, seeing turtles laying eggs being one of the many highlights. The views and the people are incredible, 100% recommend going if you have the opportunity. A very green country, eco-friendly and just friendly in general, Costa Rica will make you want to live the Pura Vida (pure life in Spanish), their national motto.

Teach, Learn, Share

I want to learn a maximum from you, the hosts, but also about your countries. I try not coming across with stereotypes, but history has been told in a certain way in each country. I hope to see if my information and knowledge is true, or interestingly there would be a flip side to these stories or even untold stories. I am all ears.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I'd love to share my life story, my interests in social life/sociology, maybe even a bit of politics. Music and football would be a great topic too. I am essentially coming with a suitcase of memories and experiences, but ultimately, I want to know more about my hosts and their country.

Countries I’ve Visited

Belgium, Cabo Verde, Canada, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Germany, Greece, Italy, Malta, Morocco, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand

Countries I’ve Lived In

France, United Kingdom, United States