Hi! I'm Elisa from Italy. :)

I'm naturally more of a listener than a talker, open-minded and extremely curious about other people and cultures. To me what's most precious is connecting, sharing, and learning from each other. “But if you walk the footsteps of a stranger, you'll learn things you never knew you never knew."

At 19 I decided to take a gap year and worked in England, UK. Leaving home and experiencing life in a different country had a huge impact on me. After coming back to Italy, I graduated in Psychology and Neuroscience. In 2023 I traveled solo in Southeast Asia, volunteering at local projects to get in touch with different realities. Now I’m working as an Italian as a Second Language teacher, and will soon finally be (🤞) a licensed psychologist.

I love traveling and discovering, and I'm happy to be part of this amazing community!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I started using CS during my gap year in the UK out of curiosity and I loved it. At the very least, it completely changed my idea of traveling! I met many interesting, generous and inspiring people who helped me broaden my horizons and inspired me to be more adventurous.

Interests

I like traveling, reading, listening to music and doing sports (Kung Fu, cycling and rock climbing). I also really like playing board games. Some years ago I started playing the piano, which introduced me to the beauty of classical music. I recently discovered Vipassana meditation, and (try to) meditate every day.

• folklore
• reading
• traveling
• socializing
• puzzles
• music
• piano
• cycling
• sports
• rock climbing
• volleyball
• psychology

Music, Movies, and Books

I like reading and discussing books. My favorite authors are Hesse and Dostoevsky, and my favourite book is "A man" by Oriana Fallaci, an Italian journalist and writer.
I love listening to music, especially progressive rock, metal and classical music.
Some movies that have a special place in my heart are The Lord of the Rings, Billy Elliot, Good Will Hunting, Les Miserables, and Her.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Did snorkeling in the Red Sea.
Had a cycling trip around Lake Garda, my hometown. :)
Traveled solo in Southeast Asia for 4 months and volunteered at local schools in Thailand, Cambodia and Laos.

Teach, Learn, Share

I really enjoy language exchanges and I am always happy to help you practice Italian. I'd also like to learn something about your country's history, culture, language, and food!
I love listening to other people's stories and life experiences, and I am happy to share my perspectives and travel experiences, too!

Countries I’ve Visited

Argentina, Austria, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Croatia, Czech Republic, Egypt, England, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Laos, Malta, Montenegro, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Thailand, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Vatican City State, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

England, Italy