My name is Rob (no, not short for Robert, just Rob :P ), which is actually a very common name in the Netherlands, which is where am from. I am 29 years old, and have a Bachelors and Masters degree in Chemistry. Doing actual lab-work was not my thing, so I specialized in chem-informatics and bio-informatics (basically chemistry and biology using the computer). After my Masters I did research for a bio-informatics department for about two years. Currently I am a PhD-student at the Department of Internal Medicine, where I use my computer skills to analyze large/big data.

Okay, before you start thinking I am a complete geek (which would be fine of course), I will tell you bit more about what I like to do in my spare time. I love going to concerts and festivals, I go to at least one concert a month. In fact, I love music in general (unfortunately I do not play an instrument). I like a wide range of music styles, but the main ones are folk/country, soul/jazz, techno and rock. Some of my music heroes are Dylan, Stevie Wonder, Daft Punk and Springsteen. I like to be active, and I cycle a lot (I do not even have a drivers license). In addition, I go to the gym whenever my schedule allows and I just started rock climbing. I like to draw or be arts-and-craftsy in other ways. In weekends I hang out with friends and like to go to parties.

My personality: I am very very open and open-minded, happy, a bit of a hipster, outgoing, direct, get along with almost anyone and I hate drama. My friends would tell you I am not afraid to do/say things (in the positive sense), that is to say, I am not scared to look foolish (which can cause some funny situations). I like to laugh and am sorry to say I make word-puns occasionally (I am sorry if that is not proper English...). I have heard I am very easy to live with, and like to be social.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I love meeting new people, to which my friends will attest. Also, I believe the best way to get to know a city is by meeting locals.
Currently: After finishing part of my PhD-program at UCSD (San Diego) on my Fulbright scholarship last year, I am now back in the Netherlands.

Interests

- Music (I love the 60s and 70s: Dylan, Springsteen, CCR, Led Zeppelin. But many other types, from EDM to classical to jazz).
- Being active and outside (for instance cycling, hiking).
- Art (I try different things myself, most recently I made a bowtie out of wooden skewers).

• animals
• arts
• concerts
• festivals
• dancing
• partying
• drawing
• music
• jazz
• cycling
• hiking
• rock climbing
• biology
• chemistry
• medicine

Music, Movies, and Books

- Almost all music, but more specifically see above ;)
- Movies: The Man from Earth, Boyhood
- Most recent book: The Martian

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

During my stay at UCSD I approached one new person each day on campus, and tried get to know them a little. It was dubbed my "person of the day"-project.

This turned out to be one of the best things I've ever done, resulting in friendships and cool experiences.

Teach, Learn, Share

Don't accept things just because they are what they are, but don't fight just to fight.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I love meeting new people.
I love intellectual conversation.
I love being silly and dancing my ass off.
I don't smoke.
I'm not allergic to animals.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, England, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Mexico, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Spain, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Netherlands, United States