Hey there!

I'm Fabien, always yearning to learn something new and ever-curious about this world and everything in it! Always up for a nice walk, a good chat, a cultural day out or a great adventurous hike.

I usually travel with my boyfriend, his profile is here: https://www.couchsurfing.com/people/alex-ness

I grew up in a provincial small town in Eastern Germany, about an hour from vibrant Berlin. After high school I went to uni in tiny Aberystwyth on the Welsh Coast, where I studied International Politics and French. I worked in London and au-paired in Spain for a while, before working a year in Southern China, teaching English and German there. I competed my Master's in Finland and spent another year teaching in Eastern China. I love learning new things, through reading, interesting conversations or good discussions, sharing with other's and helping one another. We're all in the same boat after all! :)

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I'm always excited to meet new people and see new places to learn more about this exciting and diverse world we all live in. Exploring places together, sharing ideas and experiences makes traveling even more exciting so I look forward to more!

I've only made good experiences couchsurfing so far, meeting inspiring people that only enriched me! I think courchsurfing is an amazing platform allowing people all over the world to overcome so many barriers that separated us for centuries. Let's use it!

So far I have been able to use couchsurfing several times by visiting amazing people and hosting them. I've been most grateful to their hospitality and openness to me, and I hope to give something back in return by offering our couch to up to two travellers.

Interests

I've studied International Politics and East Asian Studies, so my interests revolve around different cultures and languages, politics and society of the world's many countries, particularly when East Asia is involved. I'm into classical music and opera, architecture, painting, history, but also hiking and swimming. While these are my favourites, I'm always in for a good chat on most topics with someone who's passionate about it.

Music, Movies, and Books

Regarding music, I'm very much into Tchaikovsky, Beethoven, Puccini, Dvorak and Chopin, but I also very much enjoy contemporary music from Belle and Sebastian, Adele or Beyonce to Clueso, Janelle Monae or Troy Sivan - it all depends on the situation and mood!

I'm always up for a good film, from documentaries to classics, but also new stuff as long as it's not crazy violent.

When it comes to books, I mainly read non-fiction, recently books on Chinese politics, world history or changing urban landscapes and urbanisation. Currently I'm reading Natsume Soseki's 'Kokoro'. Sometimes I enjoy some good poetry or a bit of decent fiction, lately 'To Kill a Mockingbird' and poetry from Ming Dynasty China.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Been traveling in China's Yunnan Province with a good friend exploring remote mountain villages by motorbike for two weeks, exploring the beauty of Lugu Lake and the Tiger Leaping Gorge on the Upper Yangtze River. It was amazing to meet locals and hear about their lives, trying local foods and admiring historical architecture in Dali or Lijiang and around. Highly recommended!

Teach, Learn, Share

I'm more than happy to share my knowledge and experience in German, Chinese, French and Welsh with people that are interested in learning them, share my passion for classical music and opera, anything China-related or concerning trains and public transport.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I look forward to sharing funny and interesting stories about teaching a year in China, studying in Wales and Finland or Au-pairing in Spain, life as a German in the US Midwest, nice conversations on Classical Music and opera, problems while learning Chinese or contemplating on what funny of a world we live in!

Countries I’ve Visited

Belgium, China, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Macao, Netherlands, Poland, Scotland, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Wales

Countries I’ve Lived In

China, Finland, France, Germany, Spain, United Kingdom, United States