Oh help - I usually try to avoid little white boxes that require me to describe myself within a limited number of characters. However, considering that these words ought to outline the person who could be crashing your couch, I'll give it my best shot.

I'm a 22 year old Dutch girl who is currently in New Zealand for an internship at a forensic institute. Honestly, I have no clue how I ended up there, but I'm not complaining (got to see someone fire weapons for scientific purposes today). Besides traveling and performing biological research, my eh.. hobbies include tramping, reading, going to the gym, cooking, and generally anything I can do with my friends. (Note: although I mention cooking as a hobby, I by no means claim any skill in this field. It's the eating I excel at.) I'd like to think of myself as smart, open-minded, social, and easy-going. I'm sure there are another 101 things I could add to this, but I'd much rather hear something about your life.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Over the years, I've traveled quite a bit and have come to the realization that the best way for me to experience another country is through the people who live there. I am not a big fan of the whole "with the natives" and "off the beaten track" attitude that seems so popular these days, but rather like to see which opportunities cross my path as I go.

Couchsurfing seems like an ideal way of meeting people who know the area and may be able to show me what a place is really like. Besides, anyone who so generously offers their couch to travels is bound to be an interesting person.

And, of course, a poor not-even-student like myself doesn't mind saving some money on accommodation.

Interests

Should I have saved my whole hobbies rant for this field? Oh bummer.

Well, some random things that interest me are: cell and molecular biology, (fantasy) books, cultural anthropology, people's love lives, foreign countries and how they compare to my previous experiences, exotic food, and the opinion of interesting people about all of the above.

• books
• dining
• cooking
• baking
• reading
• traveling
• socializing
• track and field
• anthropology
• biology
• teaching
• physics

Music, Movies, and Books

Okay, so although I like to think of myself more of an intellectual book lover, my not-so-secret vice are fantasy books. It's too embarrassing to go into details, but I'm happy to trade recommendations.

Music wise... Hard to describe. I love stuff from Ludovico Einaudi to Goldfish, from Alt-J to Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs, from Bonobo to Sufjan Stevens, from Linkin Park to Rhye.

Movies. Like with music, there is not really a clear trend in which movies I like. As long as it's not ridiculous American comedy (of the kind with the implemented laughter), chances are it will float my boat.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

The Tongariro Crossing was, hands down, the most amazing thing I have done in New Zealand.

Teach, Learn, Share

Well, I know a lot about Bio and am a physics tutor for high school students. Not sure if that's of much interest to you, though.

Otherwise, I can tell you a lot about my home country and about all the other countries I have visited. Like I said, I love exchanging views on this.

What I Can Share with Hosts

My modest cooking and baking skills. I have been living in an appartement without an oven for >4 months, so I'm craving baked good.. Take advantage of it while it lasts!

Otherwise, I am happy to serve as an excuse for you to (re)explore your own town and/or surrounding area. I'm curious and love to see new things! So you will find in me a very enthusiastic travel companion.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Curaçao, Denmark, England, Gambia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Jamaica, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Scotland, South Africa, Spain, Thailand, Tunisia, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Brazil, Canada, Curaçao, Netherlands, New Zealand