Hiya,

I'm Guilherme! Pleased to emeet you 😊 I was 'born and raised' in Porto Alegre, Brazil — but I've been in Europe for almost half of my life now, first having lived in London for some 10 years and now in Maastricht for some 4. I love travelling, and whenever I can I try to do it together with my best friend and love of my life, Elaine (https://www.couchsurfing.com/people/elaine-wisbey).

I work full-time at a Dutch biotech company called 'DSM' as a Business Consultant, and am wrapping up a degree on Science and Technology Studies at Maastricht University (think 'social sciences' meets 'natural sciences' meets 'international business'). I do some volunteering on the side as a mentor for an NGO called 'Soul Bilíngue' for underprivileged young people in Brasil, teaching them English remotely and helping set them up for overseas labour markets. I love cycling (fixed gear!), music (especially the dankest, stank-face-inducing jazz), reading (all kinds of things really), and really good food (a bit too in love with at the moment for my own good ... but we'll get there lol). Oh, and I LOVE dogs.

Sadly only other profile I have online is my LinkedIn account — super happy to connect and keep in touch there! https://www.linkedin.com/in/guilherme-alf/

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I don't get to travel much, but when I do, I like spending time with locals (especially dogs). Bursting the 'hotel/secluded tourist bubble' is what it's all about for me in those rare and precious few days a year where I get to pack my bags and make some memories.

Interests

• dogs
• yoga
• running
• meditation
• cycling
• swimming
• calisthenics
• big dogs
• all dogs
• tiny dogs
• feeding goats
• reading stuff
• reading stuff (to dogs)
• chocolate?

Music, Movies, and Books

Some stuff to listen to:
• Here's one of my Spotify playlists. Sort by 'date added' to check out what I'm listening to these days 😉 https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2MuPyFl0M2Yt3RbPvfO3s5?si=15944c09cbd54260
• Black Radio III — Robert Glasper (f* genius)
• Bitches Brew — Miles Davis
• Thrust — Herbie Hancock
• Used to really into Bach (all of them) and Beethoven. Rarely listen to these days but if you're down for a twist, check out Jean-Jacques Loussier.

Some stuff to read:
• O Banqueiro Anarquista — Fernando Pessoa
• Any ethnographies coming out of the Science and Technology Studies 'turn' (some good ones: Prototype Nation by Silvia Lindtner, Disruptive Fixation by Christo Sims, and Chasing Innovation by Lilly Irani)
• So much philosophy it hurts my eyes.

Some stuff to watch:
• Crossroads (1986)
• Man With A Movie Camera (1929)
• Pulp Fiction (1994)
• This list needs some serious updating lol

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Helping lift my family out of poverty

Teach, Learn, Share

Yes please

What I Can Share with Hosts

A heartfelt excitement for just being alive, and anything between heaven and earth within reason and possibility.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Northern Ireland, Portugal, Scotland, Vatican City State, Wales

Countries I’ve Lived In

Brazil, England, Netherlands, Spain