I am very curious about the world, meeting new people from all over the world. I have been a member of several peace organizations such as Servas International, The Experiment in International Living, Zen Peacemakers.

I currently live in an artist studio on the 7th floor with a spectacular view over the "Ruhr" industrial area surrounded by my paintings.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I would like to have friends in as many countries as possible and don't enjoy traveling like the ordinary tourist staying in hotels and not having any contacts with locals. I would like to learn about a country in more depth.

Music, Movies, and Books

Classical music from Purcell to Arvo Pärt, film music by Gabriel Yared, Hans Zimmer etc.

non-fiction books
poetry books

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Teaching German at a Japanese university in a small town north of Tokyo. I traveled Japan for a couple of weeks.

Peace building work on the grounds of Auschwitz-Birkenau with an international group.

Voluntary work in hospice, prison and with refugees for over a decade.

Teach, Learn, Share

Teaching German and English

Teaching painting

I would like to learn Russian and Portuguese

What I Can Share with Hosts

I can share with you my paintings and insights on modern painting, especially American modern art because one of my main teachers was American. I can share with you my city and its surroundings and my awareness on social and political issues. (my work in a refugee center)

Countries I’ve Visited

Bangladesh, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Egypt, France, Guadeloupe, Hungary, Japan, Luxembourg, Morocco, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Russian Federation, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, Tunisia, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

United Kingdom