Hi, I'm Eline! Nice to meet you here (and maybe soon in real life:))
I am currently on a gap year, ready for new experiences to learn more about the world, people and especially myself. Self development is what I'm focussing on right now. I like to ask myself how I can possibly learn and improve myself the most, whether that's learning a skill or experiencing something new, and then I go do that thing (at least, that's the theory:)). At the moment I'm learning self defence, Krav Maga to be precise. I hope I won't need to use it of cource, but in Sepember I'll go on my first solo trip ever and I'd like to feel confident and secure in my body. For two months I'll discover my German roots a bit more, as I have almost always lived in Belgium I am very much interested in that other part of my 'identity' (I'm half Belgian, half German for the record).
I'll be traveling for two months, first off to my family history thingie in Poland, later on off to Berlin (my favourite city of all times!!) Out of this trip and especially my family history I'll make a documentary. Can't wait!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

As you might have read already, I'm going on a solo trip very soon. I would like to meet new people, exchange ideas and opinions and learning a culture in it's purest form. CS is perfect for that I think!
To give something back I would very much like to invite you who are reading this to my house in Mechelen, Belgium. I'd be very keen to lead you around the city:)

Interests

Anything creative in general, it depends on how I'm feeling. Right now I'm teaching myself how to edit video's as I like telling stories and I write (I've a collection of sentences from my every day life and I love it). Furthermore I love being outside in nature, hiking, meeting up with friends, visiting art galleries, doing yoga, repotting my plants (If you request, write 'aloë vera' in one of your first sentences, otherwise I won't respond), having deep conversations . . .

• writing
• photography
• vegetarian
• yoga
• politics
• traveling
• painting
• outdoor activities
• hiking
• art
• spirituality
• people
• sustainability
• plants
• videography
• climate

Music, Movies, and Books

The last book I read this month is 'The night in Lisbon' by Erich Maria Remarque, and oh I loved it. Besides novels, I really like reading about philosophy & religion, self development, politics and climate change. Recommendations are always welcome!

Artists I enjoy listening to at the moment are Soha, King Princess, Christine and the Queens (saw her live last year, was amazing!), Angèle (one of my favourite Belgians), Bill Whiters, Chaka Khan, Earth Wind & Fire. Nina Simone is my all time favourite.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I'm proud of myself for being brave and going on an exchange to Debrecen, Hungary, for 3,5 months at the age of 16. I must say that it really wasn't always easy, but I leared so increadibly much! And as a bonus I can speak basic Hungarian now, not bad I think.

Teach, Learn, Share

I love getting beneath the surface of people, really getting to know someone, feeling that we are all just human in general.
I'm very passionate about Youth For Climate / Fridays for Future, if you'd like to learn more about our activism, the movement and the urgency to act, I can talk about it for hours. Other things I like to talk and learn more about are politics, becoming an entrepeneur, self love and philosofy.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Vegetarian / vegan meals
My dry humor, no I'm just kidding;)
Morning yoga (feels amazing)
And of course, if you'd like to learn how to curse in Dutch / German, just ask:)

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

Belgium, Germany, Hungary