I’m Alexander, a native Indigenous Ecuadorian from the beautiful town of Saraguro in southern Ecuador. I consider myself a curious, friendly, and adventurous soul whose life has been shaped by a journey across different countries and cultures. I’ve had the privilege of living in Ecuador, the Dominican Republic, and the United States, and now I look forward to my next adventure in Europe.
My story has been full of movement and growth. In 2017, I joined an exchange program with AFS that took me to the Midwest, where I lived for a year with my American host family. That experience changed my perspective on the world and inspired me to pursue further opportunities abroad. In 2019, I returned to the U.S. to continue my studies, first earning an associate degree in Business Management. Later, I lived in New York for a year—an exciting city to visit, though a challenging one to live in long-term. In 2023, I briefly studied at the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh before transferring to New Jersey. I graduated with a degree in Economics and Finance from Montclair State University in 2025.
Beyond academics, I’ve worked as a financial and business analyst, and I also supported my family’s internet business in Ecuador, gaining hands-on experience in marketing and entrepreneurship. These experiences, combined with my travels, have made me both creative and innovative.
Now, I am preparing for a new chapter: moving to Murcia, Spain, where I will begin my Master’s in International Trade.
I enjoy contrasts: I can happily spend a lively night at a party or just as easily lose myself in a quiet afternoon with tea and a good book at the library. I’m deeply passionate about art—I’m building a small collection and have organized exhibitions to showcase Indigenous Ecuadorian artists abroad. I also enjoy playing chess, following soccer, and exploring new ideas in business and entrepreneurship.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

To be honest, at first, I didn't think Couchsurfing was real. I was very skeptical about using this app. However, it blew my mind when I used it for the first time. I tried Couchsurfing during my trip to the west side of the USA, where visited Seattle, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and San Francisco where I was hosted by wonderful Couchsurfers. I realized that every trip is not just about the place but about the people you meet and the experiences you gain along the way. As the metaphor goes, "Happiness is not the goal; happiness is being on the way ." The reason I am using this app is the same reason I would go to an art gallery: for the unique experiences it offers and the connections you make.

Interests

I have a diversity of interest but psychology,business, traveling and fish tanks are my principals interested. I really enjoy talk and share about it.

• arts
• bachata
• chess
• soccer
• art history
• history
• parties
• museums
• salsa
• book
• politic
• economy
• philosphy
• hike
• gallery

Music, Movies, and Books

I enjoy music in all ways and don’t close myself to experiencing new genres. If you could see my Spotify playlist, you would find German, Russian, Japanese, Brazilian, and Ecuadorian music, as well as music from all over the world. My music taste changes based on my mood; it can go from Brazilian funk all the way to Beethoven’s Violin Sonata No. 9 Op. 47. My experience with movies is the same—I enjoy all kinds of films. When it comes to books, I enjoy philosophy, games, and politics, though a good novel can be a great option too.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

As an adventurous and creative person, I have done many interesting things during this short life. Perhaps the most interesting ones are: moving to NY on my own with just a suitcase and a backpack full of dreams, founding an internet provider company as well as an English teaching school, and nowadays working on a project to place billboards in my hometown, which I look forward to running by the end of this year.

Teach, Learn, Share

Sharing is caring. I am not the best teacher, but I will do my best. I can try to teach what I know, such as English, Spanish, chess, soccer, economics, reading stocks, how to start a business, or my experience with holistic medicine. There are many things I can share and learn. You never know everything, and I am a person who is always learning.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I love having nice conversations and just enjoying quality time with another person. I like to listen to others while we sip a good cup of tea or wine. If the opportunity allows me, I always like to give my host some wine or a pin from Ecuador as a gesture of thanks.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Italy, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Dominican Republic, Ecuador, United States