Hi! I'm Nayean from South Korea, currently living in Italy as an exchange student. Back home, I study smart city , and during my exchange, I’m diving into civil engineering.

I love hearing people’s stories and learning about different cultures through real, everyday experiences. I’m a curious person who’s always excited to explore whether it’s a busy city, a quiet seaside town, or just a local neighborhood I’ve never seen before.

I’m really into cities, architecture, and modern art. I could spend hours walking around looking at buildings or getting lost in a contemporary art museum. I enjoy deep conversations, but I also love peaceful moments, like wandering through a gallery alone or watching the sea in silence.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I joined Couchsurfing because I want to connect with locals and truly experience the places I visit not just as a tourist, but as a part of everyday life.
Traveling is more meaningful to me when I can exchange stories, meals, and perspectives with people from different backgrounds. I believe these moments of sharing are what make a journey unforgettable.
Also, as a student, it helps me travel affordably while building friendships around the world!

Interests

• running
• jazz
• swiming
• city
• work out
• architecure
• art galleries and museums

Music, Movies, and Books

My favorite music is jazz. I don’t know much about the technical side of it, but I really love how free and expressive it feels. There’s something magical about the way jazz lets you play around with rhythm and emotion.

One of my favorite movie is 'The Intern'. It’s about a retired man who joins a startup company as an intern. I love how the film challenges the idea that internships are only for young people. It really inspired me to stay open to new challenges, no matter my age. In a world that’s rapidly aging, I think it’s such a meaningful story about how different generations can live and grow together.

As for books, I really loved Stoner by John Williams. It’s a quiet, powerful novel that follows the life of one man, and the writing is absolutely beautiful. Every sentence feels so refined, and by the end, it left me with a deep sense of emotion and reflection.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Coming to Italy as an exchange student without knowing any Italian was definitely one of the biggest challenges I’ve taken on.

At first, everything felt unfamiliar. I couldn’t speak the language, I struggled with everyday things like administration or just understanding my classes (which are all in Italian!). But over time, I found ways to survive.

During these six months, I’ve learned how to navigate life in a completely different system, and more importantly, I’ve learned to trust myself. I realized I can figure things out one step at a time and that’s a pretty amazing feeling.

Teach, Learn, Share

I can share insights about Korean culture, language, and daily life. If you're interested in Asian food, I can introduce you to some Korean dishes.
I’d love to learn about your country’s traditions, food, and lifestyle and maybe even learn a bit of your language.
I'm always open to new ideas and happy to exchange travel tips, architecture talk, or even go for a morning run together!

What I Can Share with Hosts

Light help around the house and respectful use of your space

Good conversations over food, drinks, or even just a walk through the city

I can also make simple Korean dishes like kimbap or bibimbap — nothing fancy, but made with care :)

A genuine interest in your culture and experiences — I’ll listen with my whole heart!

Countries I’ve Visited

China, France, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Switzerland, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Italy