CURRENT MISSION

Create relationships and acquire a deep understanding of heritage practices around the world.

ABOUT ME

I'm a people person fun loving and mediocrely outgoing. I like markets, museums!, heritage and any sense of culture or community.

I used to live on a hallway with 6 other people (boys and girls). We have great contact with one another and are very welcoming to people who like to hang out and talk...

Now I have my own small studio apartment, and still figuring out a way to host people.

PHILOSOPHY

I believe in equality, love and empathy.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Leiden is a pretty (very) Dutch town with lots of history. If you're a fan of culture, this is the place. In my studies and over 10 years living here I have come to know Leiden very well (and have been a museum guide in two national museums located in Leiden). Granted you'd be into it and I would have the time, I can tour you around.

Leiden is strategicly placed. less than 30 minutes bus ride from the beach, 30 minutes train ride from Amsterdam and Rotterdam. Just 15 minutes from The Hague and the airport.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Some people stayed over at my place and it was really nice to meet people on the move.

Interests

I am an anthropologist/museum ethnographer by trade and love my work as a museum educator and guide. Whenever I travel I look for small museums, specifically with ethnographic collections.

• culture
• dining
• seafood
• traveling
• socializing
• music
• anthropology
• history
• languages
• beaches
• travel
• sea
• museum
• museums
• cultural anthropology
• the sea
• ethnography
• ethnology
• social anthropology

Music, Movies, and Books

Iron & Wine, Joshua Radin, Death Cab For Cutie, Prince, Bright Eyes, Radiohead, Belle and Sebastian, Placebo, MJ, The Killers, lots of easy listening too (jazz etc.)

500 days of summer, st. Vincent, Fantastic mr Fox, Amelie, Once, Little Miss Sunshine, Elisabeth Town, Garden State, The Last Kiss, A Lot Like Love, Purple Rain, The Shop Around the Corner etc.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Top 7 cities
Toronto; Diverse and beautiful (Amazing Ethiopean food)
Berlin; Great communal city
Hangzhou; Some of the most beautiful views I have seen
Seoul; Amazing food, great museums
Antwerpen; Some bars never close
Burlington VT; who doesn't love Vermont!?
Hakata; the safest place I have ever been

Belgium is totally worth while. Ghent is one of my favourite little towns packed with outgoing people!

Teach, Learn, Share

Culture and the way it is expressed is such an incredible source of knowledge and inspiration. Everywhere I go I find reasons to reflect on my own life and humbling moments of the rich contributions of peoples around the world that I was not aware of.

Languages are essential, because they open doors to the experiences of many.

I have experience in teaching, heritage, culture and I am very eager to learn from each person I meet what moves them.

What I Can Share with Hosts

If they are interested in the Netherlands, and Dutch customs, I would be happy to share. Of course I can also share English, Dutch and several other languages. But I would really love to listen.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Colombia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Philippines, Poland, Romania, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Netherlands, South Korea, United States