Hi,
We’re Ivan (21 y.o.) and Chiara (23 y.o) and we’re both university students in Germany and in Italy respectively.
Last year we both went on an Erasmus+ exchange for a year to Reykjavík, Iceland, which for both of us turned out to be a life-changing experience.
We’re an easygoing, respectful, and tidy couple, who feel most at home in calm, cozy environments (bonus points if you’ve any pets).
For us, Couchsurfing is about trust, kindness, and genuine human exchange. We’d be grateful to anyone who is willing to welcome us into their homes and share their time and stories with us.

Chiara:
I'm Chiara and I’m now back in my hometown, Livorno, in Tuscany, where I’m writing my thesis and occasionally working as an English tutor.
In Iceland, I realized I enjoy taking my time, meeting people, and sharing simple moments such as a walkabout in the woods, a coffee/tea, a home-cooked meal (I'm vegetarian), or a conversation.
During my time in Reykjavik, I was part of SEEDS-Iceland, a non-profit youth organization organizing volunteer workcamps and hosting volunteers through the European Solidarity Corps. I also participated in many Erasmus Student Network (ESN) events, sometimes hosting my own, especially movie screenings, and volunteered for cinema festivals together with Ivan. A few years ago, I also did a WWOOF experience on an organic farm in the Italian Alps (Dolomiti di Brenta).

Ivan:
I’m Ivan and for the past few years I have been living and studying Energy Science in Germany. Before I moved, I’d been living in Kyiv, where I grew up. In my life I was lucky to travel through numerous countries and now I cannot imagine not getting out of my city every once in a while, as it makes life more colourful and memorable. When looking back, I find the memories made during my trips to be the most vivid and evoking the most emotions. In my free time (and when I overcome my laziness) I like to play guitar, shoot and edit photos and study video-editing. In my life I value quiet time, small joys and comforting rituals like sitting outside with a cup of coffee on a Sunday morning, going for a walk around the neighbourhood or spending an afternoon reading on the balcony. And I need more cats in my life.

Hope our paths cross.
For now takk fyrir,
Chiara and Ivan

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

We're on Couchsurfing because we love meeting new people, learning about different cultures, and sharing experiences. For us, traveling isn’t just about seeing new places, but it’s about connecting with locals, hearing their stories, and creating meaningful memories. Couchsurfing also adds a touch of adventure to our trips.
We enjoy exchanging travel stories, helping others, and making travel a personal experience. We're always excited to share a meal, a conversation, or even a cup of coffee or tea with someone who is happy to show us the corner of their world.

Interests

• literature
• photography
• guitar
• hitchhiking
• volunteering
• cinema
• sustainability
• videography
• iceland
• twin peaks
• cooking and baking
• cats and dogs
• arts & crafts
• reading and writing
• moomins
• board & card games
• vegetarian & vegan meals

Music, Movies, and Books

We both love Cormac McCarthy books, indie music and Twin Peaks.
We're also into board games, in particular Wizard and Wingspan!

“Live life by the abc's...adventure, bravery and creativity.”
― James Thurber, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Last summer, we went on a one-day hike along the Fimmvörðuháls Trail in southern Iceland. We managed to hike only halfway through the trail due to weather conditions and inexperience. As night fell, we stayed at a refuge hut. We then ended up hitchhiking back to Reykjavík (thanks, Gaia!). Although we completed just half of the trail, the experience left us with lasting memories, and we'll be glad to tell you all about it.
Of course, we've tons of stories and memories to share about Iceland, like mushroom hunting, camping in front of a Skógar waterfall, the midnight sun, 'surviving' the Icelandic winter etc.

Teach, Learn, Share

Chiara: books recommendations, teaching Italian, teaching how to make tiramisù and lasagna, collage sessions, and tips about volunteering programmes across Europe, in particular through the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) programme. I'm learning how to play classical guitar, and I'd like to learn how to boulder/rock climb.

Ivan: I can teach you how to play guitar (acoustic or electric) or how to make a fox face with fingers. I'm learning to solder and to take good pictures. I would love to share the stories and memories of Iceland.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Chiara: I usually travel with my own set of tea leaves and coffee ground (ans sometimes moka pot), a bottle of wine and Mulino Bianco (Italian cookies, please reach out if you want to share some :)

Ivan: I always struggle to find a fitting gift to bring with me, even when I’m going to visit my family. Especially since there are no particular signature foods, drinks or other goods in the region I’m living in now, so whatever I’m bringing will be completely random.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Czech Republic, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Ukraine