2026:

I have a couch that im happy to give to anyone interesting and interested, looking for a true connection rather than just a place to sleep. There is no such thing as a free lunch, as they say. Every interaction is transactional—an exchange of energy and time, even when no money is involved.

2020 but still true:

PLEASE WRITE SOMETHING PERSONAL OR NOTHING AT ALL! I’m getting sick of daily non-personal messages, guys!

If you want to hook up you’re on the wrong app. Try tinder, bumble, hinge, you name it… even if you are the host, hitting on your traveler is a breach of trust as well as an abuse of your position of power, keep that in mind. Guys like that are the reason why many women don’t feel comfortable travelling alone let alone use CS.

ABOUT ME (17 year old me nota bene)
Lea ist liebenswürdig und witzig, allerdings auch chaotisch. Mit ihr kann man durch dick und dünn gehen. Sie ist ein Wirbelwind und mit ihr Dinge zu erleben ist immer wieder ein Vergnügen.
-Seraina C.-
This one's from 2013 when i first got cs. I should have some more people describe me in their words, it's kinda awkward to do it myself...maybe you find something in my references ? Maybe you can add something there some day, too?

CURRENT MISSION (2025/2026)
I have studied both biomedical engineering and medicine at ETH, the federal institute of technology in Zurich. I did an internship with a start up and worked for a big company for three years (in neurooncology)

Now I am looking for a new position ideally in Switzerland but since my boyfriend is in the US that’s also an option.

PHILOSOPHY (2023) Still not there, yet. I think I should follow Yuval Hararis call for vipassana some day! Try to convince me, please.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I have had a wonderful time on CS in the past (many) years and I have met so many incredible people with amazing views on the world that have helped me widen my horizon tremendously! I wouldn't be who I am now without CS as I might have never left my protected little Swiss Academic bubble life. Thanks for making this possible!

However, I realise the community is growing and changing - not for the better.
I’d like to still be able to meet some of the awesome people out there without losing time with people that use CS as dating site or free hotel room. So I take the liberty to only reply to personal messages. You don’t have to read my whole profile but at least tell me why you want to stay with me.
I don't care about "verification" but if you have no reference at all don't be surprised if I'm cautious.

EXPERIENCE

(2023) I completely deleted that section since its sooo much. You'll just have to ask ;)

Future:
High on my traveling bucket list are Cuba, Vietnam+Cambodia, Finland and Tibet+Nepal. Himalaya is a big dream. Also St Petersburg and some south Asian islands. I also hope to soon return to New Zealand but who knows how long that might take!

Interests

nature is the great love of my life. I love the mountains more than anything on earth and enjoy all the sports that are connected to it (walking, trail running, snowboarding, climbing)
If ou have the same passion, it would be nice to organise something!

I love trees, stars, flowers and sunsets, I love all our 4 seasons but spring's my favourite.
I also love the ocean but can't visit it too frequently. I appreciate the magic of Sahara and it's incredible silence.

Music, Movies, and Books

(2017) My favourite non-famous writer at the time is Swetlana Alexijewitsch who's a journalist and writes about life in and the citizen of Sowjet Union.
(2023) It is so sad how the great Russian culture is overshadowed by the nasty recent war and I'm not gonna comment on this here.

(2020) I love the fact that he’s almost becoming mainstream but Yuval Noah Harari is incredible! He did change my view of the world (history) and I love how he puts things in perspective and (re)connects also known facts.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

until 2012: standing on stage with Dropkick Murphys , many different festivals and concerts , Diving in Heron Island, AUS and living in Whakatane, NZ
2013: Living in Holland for 2 ys including on a boat, discovering Ruigoord!!
2016: Basils Cathedral, Moscow
2017: 1 month of discovering England
2018: learning how to surf, 3w Portugal
2019: "learning" Kizomba
2020-2021: 2 weeks each of discovering Albania, Portugal, Lanzarote , Gran Canaria, Morocco and Spain
2022: Living half a year in the city of my soul, Roma; graduated from university (ETH Zurich, biomed eng)
2023: Interrail: Geneva,Lyon, Avignon, Montpellier, Marseille, Paris,Amsterdam,Berlin,Leipzig,Dresden,Prag, Vienna Slovakia, Slovenia, Hrvatska and I guess a few more I forgot
2024: got my own flat in the best part of town at the river, lived in Berlin, travelled South America
2025: travelled South America again and got stuck for months in the US
2026: start my year in Sierra Leone (6w) and travel Guatemala, Belize and Mexico for another month a little later

Teach, Learn, Share

(2013) I can learn from anyone, if I like the person or not. Bad experiences also bring you further in life! After all, Voltaire once said: il est important de se faire à l’idée que le mal est un élément nécessaire à l’ordre du monde et à la naissance du bien. (Zadig)

Nothing to add to this, even after after 10 years <3

What I Can Share with Hosts

Usually just long talks, a nice meal, and the fact that I'm open for almost anything

Countries I’ve Visited

Albania, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Belize, Colombia, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, England, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Hungary, Italy, Liechtenstein, Macedonia, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russian Federation, San Marino, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States, Vatican City State, Wales

Countries I’ve Lived In

Germany, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, Switzerland, United States