I am a 'random' and 'different' Indonesian.

I am studying a major which not everyone in my country thinks that it makes sense, International Relations and Economics.

Compare to most of Indonesians who love to stay at their comfortable home, I love to travel and learn from it. When traveling, I mostly like to try local cuisine, going to museum or art galleries, nature (if it is not that tiring, for me), and hunting for pictures. I love to experience new things, which makes me easily get bored to stay home. Sometimes, I do get tired and want to stay on bed, open my laptop, watch some television series, or maybe just to get a quick nap. Also, I love to watch cooking series online but I consider myself as terrible in the kitchen.

Besides Indonesia, I have lived in several countries such as Malaysia, New Zealand, and Singapore. It actually develops my personality to be who I am now: mixed, keep asking about my actual cultural heritage, and kind of weird. It also makes me to have a different kind of 'accent' or I may refer it as 'weird kind of voice'. I also had stayed in Thailand and the United Kingdom for a while as I got a scholarship to study there from their respective governmental agencies.

My parents, especially my mother, has influenced me to travel. She brought me to many places with her when I was younger. Making me to have a big sense of curiousity though I only keep that to myself. That is one of the reasons why I'm not afraid to solo travel. I have doing so to several countries such as P.R. China, Turkey, Australia, Norway, and India.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I want to travel, experience new culture, meet new friends, and share stories with people in Couchsurfing.
I love to listen unique stories from people that have been traveling to many places. Their stories might inspire me to follow the same path as well as finding new things while traveling. For me, traveling is a learning experience and Couchsurfing is the best platform for it.

Interests

Random walking and taking photographs
I am not a professional photographer and can't take aesthetique pictures. However, I love to take random walking and photographs, especially taking pictures of architectures and my friends. Sometimes, I refer it as my 'me-time' but would be a pleasure for me if I have a companion to do so especially when they can take pictures of me. Well, of course I want to be in the picture too.

Discussing about recent global issues, human rights, foreign policy, politics of Islam, etc
Since I am an International Relations dude, I love to discuss about those topics. Don't worry, I am an open-minded person and won't attack if you have different opinion than me. I personally think that being different is okay as misunderstanding and disrespect (towards others' opinion) might brings tensions. That's what the current situation of world politics today. I am not trying to lecture, it's going to be a relaxed and reflect conversation. Coffee, tea, biscuit, or even red wine, are really appreciated to accompany our discussion.

Education
I have a dream to pursue my education higher than my parents (that's what most of Asian parents' dream). But, I realise that education access is still unequal. I am not trying to be Malala 2.0., but I believe that education should be accessible for everyone. I am grateful that I still can access it and I want my knowledge to be implemented so that I can help others to access education.

Volunteering
Kind of similar with education, but it is somewhat different. There are many in this world who are still in need, such an example are: refugees, unfortunate children, poor civilians, oppressed women in ultra-conservative area, etc. For me, volunteering is one of the way in which I can contribute my ability to the world to create social impact. I have been an active volunteer in several non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in my hometown. One of my unforgettable volunteering experience is teaching English language to unfortunate junior high school students in my hometown. It is really sad to know that they live in a cosmopolitan town of Bandung without enough knowledge of English to gain more knowledge. Some of them weren't brave to speak English and could not even introduce themselves. From that, me and my friends decided to make a fun activities to encourage them to speak English.

• books
• fashion
• wine
• movies
• traveling
• anthropology
• international relations
• languages
• solo travel
• food
• nature
• tea
• instagram
• sea
• teaching languages
• culinary
• game of thrones
• netflix
• social media
• teaching english
• polaroid

Music, Movies, and Books

Believe it or not, I'm not a 'really' music person. Though I do listen to music but have no specific genre preference.

I consider myself as a 'movie person'. Having a father who loves to watch movies influenced me. So far, I love documentary, based on true stories, fantasy, and action movies. But, there is a movie that I'd die for: the Lord of the Rings (LOTR) trilogy. Bridge of Spies, Slumdog Millionaire, Timbuktu, Harry Potter trilogy, and To Rome With Love are in my favourite list.

I also think that it is not yet completed if I don't refer to some of my favourite television series. They are Game of Thrones and Sherlock.

Lastly, I am a bookworm though it is not really related with my condition today (so I have to read from electronic books). There is an Indonesian proverb about reading, 'Reading opens the world', and I truly believe that. Though in my country majority of people seem not to like reading anymore. I have no specific preferences about book because when I get bored, I sometimes read. In general, I love to read encyclopaedias and social sciences-related books.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Helping poor and unaccessible villagers to sell their local products with reasonable price in Yogyakarta and Bandung, Indonesia

Today, there are still a lot of people who cannot access main infrastructure and governmental programme which makes them left behind by people who live in metropolitan areas. Some of the villagers are actually quite productive and have their own 'self-sustaining' economy which considered still unreliable by current economic standard. I joined a local NGO to help them selling their local commodities such as spices, wooden artworks, and opening a 'tour' for tourists to come to the village. It was actually quite hard for me to sell the villagers' products as they were unknown and had no brand value. From that, our team decided to make a creative selling and doing personal approach to our customers. In the end, we have raised more than $2,000 for the villagers in which the money was used to build supporting infrastructure for the village and to sustain the product selling activities.

Teach, Learn, Share

I actually the one in need to be taught as I believe that my experience is too simple. But, I will do my best to that I can share something for you:

Teach:
I probably can teach you my language, Indonesian and Malay. Though they are unpopular compare Spanish, Chinese, and Japanese. I believe that once you visit Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei Darussalam, these language skills would be so helpful. In good case, if you meet other Indonesians and Malaysians and try to speak these languages, not only they'd be shocked but they will appreciate your effort!

Learn:
- I would be so happy to learn some cooking recipes from you!
- Learning new languages from my friends.
- Learn your life experiences, not being annoying, but it is the purpose of why we are in Couchsurfing, right? :)

Share:
- I can share some of my traveling experiences and tips.
- Sharing is caring, it is super hard for me to explain what sharing actually is. I can't force myself to share but I always do it by unconsciously. XD

What I Can Share with Hosts

Firstly, I would be thankful for your willing to host me in your residence. I cannot reply your kindness but I will do my best to offer mine to you, too.

We can share a lot of interesting or weird stories about ourselves. We may also cook together, although I bet that I would be failed in that. I also would try to learn some of 'life and traveling' tips from you. Surely, we could go out and explore the town!

I also like to share some souvenirs from my hometown to hometown. Though it might not be fancy, at least you would always remember me when I leave your residence. XD

Countries I’ve Visited

Algeria, Angola, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, Congo, Denmark, Egypt, Ethiopia, Fiji, France, Gabon, Germany, Ghana, Guam, Guinea, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Macao, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Oman, Philippines, Qatar, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste (East Timor), Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Vatican City State, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore