CURRENT MISSION

Once again come back to Ireland and study Irish history at Maynooth!

PHILOSOPHY

The world is changed by your example, not by your opinion.

ABOUT ME

I am a student, a strider, a dreamer and an Irish history enthusiast.

Born and rised in shadow of northern mountains of the Czech Republic, I have travelled - preferably on foot - since early childhood. I got soaked to the bone and eaten by midges in Scottish Highlands, I ran with reindeers in Sweden, observed whales from a mountain top in Norway, crossed west Ukrainian Carpathians, drank plum vodka in Banát mountains of western Romania, explored "Eagle trail" in Poland, followed my father's footsteps in climbing mountains in Slovakia. I visited Chernobyl, laid a wreath for the World Wars dead in Dunquerke... and much more.

Nonetheless, the country of my heart have always been Ireland.
Four months of studies in Galway, that was the best time of my life, and Dolores Keane's Galway Bay plays way too often in my head. Loved the people, loved the atmosphere, the culture, the nature, the coast, the sea.

Back home in Prague, I am finishing my studies of modern European history at Charles University. My current research deals with the Decade of Centenaries in Ireland: I have participated in the 1916 commemorations in Dublin, and I hope to continue in getting to know more about Ireland's past - and, more importantly, what the Irishmen and Irishwomen think about it.

Simultaneously, I work at the Foreign Office at the Faculty of Arts, helping tu run a study abroad program for the US and Canadian students.

I am also finishing my Gold DofE Award, I translate videos for Khan's Academy and I am devoted to volunteering: at my University and in a botanical garden, but also abroad. I did an archeological excavation of Nazi labour camp near Poznań in Poland, maintained a nature reservation on German coast and participated in the Harmony Community Trust workcamp in Northern Ireland.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

You can't get to know a country from a tourist information leaflet. You need to feel the atmosphere. Go among the people. Speak to them. Eat what they eat, drink (or at least try a sip of) what they drink.
Similarly, history can't be learnt only from books and dusty archives. It needs to be sought in people's memories, their thoughts, their stories.
YOUR stories.

I admit, though, I wouldn't be able to travel so much without people's kindness to share with me a roof too sleep under.

I cannot accept guests myself as I live in a student accommodation.

Interests

Ireland, history, Irish and Scandinavian cultures, hiking, rock climbing, nature, books, volunteering

• books
• hiking
• history
• volunteering

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Croatia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

Czech Republic, Ireland