As it is very hard to tell who I am and what I am (I guess this is constantly changing throughout my life and will probably be like that the rest of it) maybe it´s best to tell about my current me and what I am doing right now. So, the only thing for sure is, I am constantly changing and redefining

At the moment I am researching in China for my master thesis in the field of riverine ecology. Back home in Austria, I study civil engineering and water management and intend to work in the field of river restoration. But as studying this now as my major, I come from a completely different study background.
For bachelor, I studied international development which led a great foundation in my interest in worldwide philosophy, history, politics, sociology and human development at all. It changed my world view completely. To realize how interconnected we are, and how many problems we not even have scratched at the surface (manly concerning our violent history and will to want more and more) stunned me for a while and It became clear that one of our greatest challenges, a socio-ecological transformation, is only to be achieved if humanity finds a way to communicate discuss and negotiate across cultural and political and ideological boundaries.
identifying this intercultural common “core”, learning about differences and similarities and creating an adequate and fair language has therefor become my biggest recent mission.
It seems, although I never did official couchsurfing through this platform, that this kind of cultural exchange is very much a common principle in this community At least I hope so…
My second current field of research (not officially but very much from the heart) has spontaneously become the protection of Chinese cultural heritage. As I was researching on the river Nanxi for the last weeks, it happened that I met a wonderful old Prof. who cares a lot about traditional buildings in China. Unfortunately, it has been missed out to preserve and protect lot of ancient buildings (for many reasons I guess) and lot is already lost or about to be destroyed (by human and natural forces).
But anyway, at the moment we are starting a project trying to build up a foundation with the aim of restorage and protection of this ancient buildings, which are far more than beautiful old wood constructions, but also a great example of ecological housing and precious opportunities for lot of research on future developments. This now leads me to my next quest, which is Japan.

As Japan has a great history with wooden constructions (and also managed to preserve many buildings, as well and more importantly all the knowledge) I really would like to learn from Japanese carpenters. Therefor I am planning to visit Japan as soon as possible.

Apart from this, Japan has become some kind of my projection space for my greatest imaginations. As space of unbelievable many greats artist, throughout many movies and books, the study of zen Buddhism and last but not least the great sense of beauty, design and aesthetic it has become a burning desire to visit this country once in my life. As I am now quite close to Japan, I think there is no way I can miss out this opportunity!

But, and this brings me to my next point.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I am not willing (also not able) to pay for fancy hotels and stuff in order to ride within a bubble of superficial sight-seeing addicted maniacs, who then pretend knowing a place by the evidence of haven taken some (far to many) selfies in front of statues and beautiful places.
I hesitated with my plan to go to Japan very much, because i couldn’t make any direct contact so far. And just going there and trying to meet the right people in hostels seems far too risky for me and I don’t want to spend all the CO2 and money on just a chance of luck. Therefore, now I came across this way of meeting someone out there in Japan who shares some of my intentions and is maybe interested in me and my cultural background.

I would be very happy sharing all of my experiences, especially those very fresh Chinese insights I recently had the chance to make. It is a very fascinating country, and all the people I met where very welcoming, friendly an open.

Furthermore, I like meeting new people. I can easily adapt to local habits and practices; I don’t need any comfort und luxury. I like to participate in new activities and share all I have (currently not much apart from my backpack and notebook) and all I can do. Even helpings someone, where I can, would be a naturalness in order to have the possibility to have some deeper views in one´s cultural background and so on…
Buy the way I like to cook and have no issues with house work kind of inevitable meditation^^

OK maybe this is enough for someone to get an overview about my intentions and current “about me” picture.

for those who want to know more, some more points…also you can contact me anytime for further questions.

Interests

• painting
• drawing
• hiking
• kayaking
• mountain bike
• canoing
• printing (lithography
• screen printing and linol printing
• climbing and boulder
• reading and music (playing guitar)

Music, Movies, and Books

As most people would say, I like everything^^Haha (its also not true there is lot of commercial bullshit flooding our radio stations), so maybe just some of my current things I listen to. Adrianne Lenker, Cinematic Orchestra, Angel Olsen, Elephant Stone, Eddie Vadder.
Currently reading Yasushi Inoue “das Jagdgewehr” (don’t know the English title, propbably Hunting Gun) and I can deeply recommend Haruki Murakami “Mister Aufziehvogel” (The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle).

What I Can Share with Hosts

Lots of questions and thoughts; the love of music; a helping hand; all I have with me (“sharing is caring”) Of course anyone who is likely to host me is very welcome to visit Austria and stay at my place (although I don’t have a flat right now^^but as soon as I am back home I will be happy to share my space. Anyway, my place has been always a flat with open doors for all kinds of people. So, the only thing new is the way of organization through couchsurfing.

Countries I’ve Visited

Belgium, Belize, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, England, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Kenya, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Panama, Poland, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland