We met almost a couple of years ago, but to be honest, it seems like we've known one another for a lifetime. In actual fact we met through the CS website, she replied to my forum message and asked whether I wanted to go for ssamgyupsal (Korean BBQ). Jiwon, as blunt as ever said that she wanted to eat at a certain restaurant but did not have any friends to go with, so she was desperate. We met and clicked...so much so we had an argument within 15 seconds of meeting one another :) I embraced her life-story and she shared my past with compassion. We are two quirky chums, best-friends first and foremost, and we have similar visions for the future which makes everything even more exciting.

I would describe Jiwon as having two distinct sides: she is a feisty ball of spontaneous energy and an introverted, sensitive soul. She is opinionated yet open-minded, outwardly passionate but modest in her approach to life. Life in South Korea has been oppressive at times for her, and her creative sparks have often been extinguished unfairly. In recent times however she is discovering just how much potential she has and just how big this world really is.

Myself, well I've had my ups and downs but I am a fighter with a kind heart and a lot of drive. I get itchy feet easily, but whilst I used to enjoy living out of a backpack in the past, I am relishing in the prospect of stability in the future.

我为什么加入 Couchsurfing

We were both avid members of this site prior to meeting, and we met so many extraordinary characters along the way. Our dream is to study for our masters in Finland, so CS is a beautiful means of meeting some new friends and learning a little more about the culture too.

兴趣

Together: Neither one of us are city slickers, and we love to get back to nature whenever we can. Jiwon calls me a sloth: one because I have long arms (apparently), and two because I just simply was not cut out for big city life. We love to travel and backpacking has organically fashioned us into the people you see here today, whatever that may be of course! We value substance in life and enjoy communicating and conversing about pretty much anything, from education and philosophy, to aardvarks and human size banana pillows. Some other particularly random hobbies are as follows: wearing our brightly coloured snoopy pajamas in and around Seoul, sitting in from of our make-shift fireplace with a cup of tea and some biscuits, talking boo (a language we created jointly that is loosely based on gibberish, taking a stroll along the river, cooking and planning for the future.

Jiwon: She adores Yoga because it's her outlet, it energizes her and gives her strength to tackle the day ahead. Music is a big part of her life too, she is sensitive to sounds and is a talented pianist as well. More random hobbies include: dancing whenever the feeling is right, reading and being an academic in general, education and languages.

Stew: I have a passion for writing and letting my thoughts flow onto the paper at will. I like to get lost and find an array of hidden gems in the process (I guess that's how I met Jiwon after all). Some more random interests: watching foreign films, hiking to waterfalls and back, and taking public transport to unknown locations and exploring from that point on.

• culture
• writing
• dancing
• education
• cooking
• bbq
• yoga
• movies
• reading
• traveling
• music
• hiking
• backpacking
• teaching
• languages
• tours

我做过的一件不可思议的事情

We took our first Euro trip to France and travelled alongside Jiwon's mother for around a month. There was tension and a variety of slapstick moments along the journey, but the trip was the making of our relationship and the glue that brought us even closer together. In Tours we stayed with a wonderful family and met up with my mum whilst there as well (the first time Jiwon and her had met). To have the two most important people in my life (past and present) was something I will never forget.

教，学，和分享

It's a pleasure to share our story with you, and even more of a pleasure to hear yours too.

我游览过的国家

France, Germany, South Korea

我居住过的国家

South Korea, United Kingdom