I'm a 22 year old student taking a gap year between studying my undergraduate degree and postgraduate Law. After a brief taste of travel, I couldn't wait to get back into it and am now working my way across Europe solo. I'm brand new to couchsurfing, so please give me a chance and build up my profile.

I've lived in Sydney and Perth, Australia, but didn't catch the travel bug until my 20s. A month-long trip through Vietnam and Thailand opened my eyes to how huge and diverse our world is. I met incredible people, ate delicious food, saw awe-inspiring sights and had some of the greatest experiences of my life.

This trip was followed by a couple of trips to Bali and a brief family trip to France and Italy. I've learned a lot about other cultures, different people, and seen some incredible countrysides. I loved immersing myself in the history of European towns and cities and discovering how different yet similar people are across the world.

I've been learning the Lindy Hop swing dance for over a year now, and I am looking forward to dancing my way across Europe. I've participated in workshops locally and now I have the chance to discover the international scene. The greatest part of Swing Dance is that it is a language within itself. You can travel the world and let the dance speak for itself, it isn't uncommon for some of the greatest dances to be with people with whom you don't share a common language.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

The same reason as everyone else! I want to meet local people, experience new cultures and immerse myself in the atmosphere of wherever I am. I want to avoid hotels not only to save money, but to ensure I'm thrown out of my comfort zone and into social situations, so Couchsurfing and hostels are the way for me.

My goal is to expand my list of experiences by making the most of every day. I want to meet local people, experience the best of every place I visit and build a bank of memories. I want to learn from my hosts and leave them with a smile.

Interests

Dancing Lindy Hop is my favourite hobby at the moment. I'm lucky enough to have a great local scene, but I want to experience it internationally. This combines well with my other love, travel. I get so restless at home that I can't wait for the next adventure. Whether that is a road trip to the Margaret River wineries, a stereotypical Perth tourist trip to the under-rated (and unfortunately broadly Westernised) Bali, or a long backpacking trek across Europe, I always have an itch to chase the next destination.

Dance and Travel also extend to a love of music, reading and meeting new people. To lose yourself in the beat of a song midway through a dance, or to read a book for hours on end on a Thai beach, in a Vietnamese late-night cafe or at a countryside lookout is one of the greatest feeling.

• swing dancing
• reading
• traveling
• music
• eating
• exploring

Music, Movies, and Books

Swinging Jazz (the classic Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald etc, the local Adam Hall and the Velvet Playboys and hundreds of other great artist), The classic, Bob Dylan, David Bowie, Arctic Monkeys, The Beatles.. I could go on and on and on. I would love nothing more than to sip a few beers or a glass of wine over a vinyl session.

As for books I loved the 'Tomorrow When the War Began' series as a kid. I've enjoyed Kerouac's 'On the Road' whilst travelling Southeast Asia, and loved Wilde's 'Dorian Grey' whilst lounging in a Balinese Villa. My favourite book though probably has to be 'Catch 22'. The stream of consciousness humour comes so effortlessly to Heller.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I've road tripped around Australia for 6 months, been on a 4am bare-bone jeep ride through Vietnamese sand dunes, kayaked through Ha Long Bay, seen the Sistine Chapel, trekked along the Cinque Terre and white-water rafted down a Balinese river. I've danced with international dance teachers, eaten street food, been touristy at grand Italian sights. I've climbed the steps to Chiang Mai's Doi Suthep, seen the gloom that hangs over Dachau, and camped under the stars in front of Uluru.

Teach, Learn, Share

I've been dancing Lindy Hop for about a year now. It's a global community and part of the reason I'm traveling. I'd love nothing more than to spread it around and teach you some moves. It is a great dance for feeling the beat of the music and putting a smile on everyone's face.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Spain, Thailand, United Kingdom, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia