Assalamu alaikum! I'm Ayoub, and together with my amazing wife Salasbil, we're a Tunisian couple who recently moved to Istanbul to dive deeper into this incredible cultural crossroads.
I work as a QA Engineering Lead, while Salasbil is a nutritionist - but what truly drives us is our passion for meeting people from different backgrounds and collecting their stories. As a Muslim, I'm deeply rooted in my faith while being genuinely curious about different perspectives and beliefs. I believe the best conversations happen when people share openly about their cultures, dreams, and life experiences.
We love adventure - from camping under the stars to exploring hidden corners of new cities. Istanbul has been perfect for us because every day we meet someone new with a fascinating story to tell.
What we can offer:

Authentic Tunisian/North African cultural exchange
Stories from our transition from Tunis to Istanbul
Great conversations about food, travel, and life philosophies
Respectful guests who genuinely want to learn about your local culture
Maybe some homemade Tunisian dishes if you're interested!

What we're looking for:
Local insights, genuine connections, and the chance to see your city through your eyes. We're not just looking for a free bed - we want to exchange stories, learn about your traditions, and hopefully become friends.
We speak Arabic, French, English, and are learning Turkish. Always excited to practice languages too!"
References Section Note:
"New to Couchsurfing but not new to making meaningful connections across cultures.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Travel guidebooks can tell you where to go, but only locals can tell you why it matters.

Salasbil and I believe that every person carries a universe of stories, perspectives, and wisdom. We moved from Tunis to Istanbul specifically to immerse ourselves in cultural diversity, and Couchsurfing feels like the natural extension of that journey.

We're not just looking for accommodation - we're seeking authentic human connections. Whether it's learning about your grandmother's secret recipe, understanding local traditions, hearing about your personal journey, or sharing deep conversations about life, faith, and dreams over tea, these are the moments that transform travel from sightseeing into soul-seeing.

As a Muslim couple open to all perspectives, we've found that the most beautiful friendships often bloom between people from completely different backgrounds. Some of our most meaningful conversations have happened with people whose life experiences were nothing like ours.

We want to collect stories, share ours, and hopefully leave each place with new friendships and a deeper understanding of what makes each culture beautiful. In return, we bring genuine curiosity, respect, North African hospitality, and maybe some homemade couscous!

Every couch has a story. Every host has wisdom. We're here to listen, learn, and hopefully add our own chapter to your Couchsurfing adventures.

Interests

• diy
• camping
• business
• history
• business travel
• nature
• series
• bricolage
• diy projects
• do it yourself

Music, Movies, and Books

Music:
"I love discovering music from every corner of the world - from traditional Tunisian malouf and Turkish folk music to international artists who blend cultures. Always excited when hosts introduce me to their local music scene! Currently exploring Istanbul's amazing mix of Eastern and Western sounds."

Movies:
"Big fan of films that explore different cultures and human connections - movies like 'The Kite Runner,' 'Amélie,' and Middle Eastern cinema. Love discussing how different cultures tell stories through film. Always open to movie nights with hosts sharing their favorite local films!"

Books:
"I enjoy books about travel, cultural exploration, and personal growth. From travel memoirs to stories that bridge different worlds and perspectives. Currently reading about Istanbul's rich history to better understand our new home. Always looking for book recommendations from locals - what should I read to understand your culture better?"

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Convinced my new wife to leave everything familiar in Tunis and move to Istanbul with me just to immerse ourselves in a completely different culture. We arrived knowing almost no one, speaking minimal Turkish, but with hearts full of curiosity. Six months later, we're still discovering something new about this incredible city every day, and it's been the most rewarding leap of faith we've ever taken together.

Teach, Learn, Share

**Teach, Learn, Share:**

**What I Can Teach:**
- **Arabic & French** - Native speaker happy to help with conversation practice
- **Tunisian/North African culture** - traditions, customs, and perspectives from the Maghreb region
- **Quality assurance mindset** - How to approach problems systematically (surprisingly useful in daily life!)
- **Tunisian cooking** - Couscous, brik, harissa, and other North African specialties
- **Islamic perspectives** - Happy to share insights about my faith in respectful, open conversations
- **Camping & outdoor skills** - Setting up camp, outdoor cooking, navigation basics

**What I Want to Learn:**
- **Local Turkish culture** - Still discovering Istanbul's hidden gems and traditions
- **Your language** - Always eager to pick up new phrases and expressions
- **Local cooking** - Show me your grandmother's recipes or favorite street food spots
- **Your city's secrets** - The places only locals know about
- **Your personal story** - What shaped you, what drives you, what makes you unique
- **Different perspectives** - How you see the world, your beliefs, your dreams

**What I Can Share:**
- **Genuine curiosity** and respectful conversations about life, culture, and beliefs
- **Travel stories** from Tunisia, our move to Istanbul, and camping adventures
- **Hospitality** - We believe in treating guests like family (and being guests who feel like friends)
- **Home-cooked meals** - Let us cook for you as a thank you!
- **Photography skills** - Happy to take great photos of you in your city
- **Workout motivation** - Gym buddy if you're into fitness!

What I Can Share with Hosts

**What I Can Share With Hosts:**

**Authentic Cultural Exchange:**
"Real stories from Tunisia and our fresh perspective as newcomers to Istanbul. I love sharing insights about North African culture, Islamic traditions (in a totally respectful, non-preachy way), and what it's like navigating life between different worlds."

**Culinary Adventures:**
"I'll cook you an authentic Tunisian meal - couscous, brik, or makloubeh that'll make you want to book a flight to Tunis! Salasbil can also share nutritionist tips for healthy, delicious eating. We believe food is the universal language of friendship."

**Meaningful Conversations:**
"Deep talks about life, travel, dreams, and different perspectives. As someone who's moved across cultures and loves meeting people from all backgrounds, I bring genuine curiosity and the ability to find common ground with anyone."

**Practical Help:**
"Happy to help with anything around the house, share photography skills for great photos of you in your city, or be your workout buddy if you're into fitness. We're not just guests - we're temporary family members who contribute."

**Gratitude & Respect:**
"Complete respect for your space, schedule, and house rules. We're genuinely grateful for the opportunity to connect and will leave your place cleaner than we found it. Plus, you'll have lifelong friends in both Tunisia and Istanbul!"

**Language Exchange:**
"Arabic and French conversation practice, plus we can help each other with Turkish since we're all learning together!"

Countries I’ve Visited

Saudi Arabia, Turkey

Countries I’ve Lived In

Tunisia, Turkey