Hi everyone!
I'm Maik, I'm 25 and I'm pretty new to couchsurfing. I'm from Germany and I'm studying at the University of Dortmund to become a secondary school teacher.
The majority of my family is Polish, so I grew up learning the language and I typically go visit my family in Poland for a few weeks every year. I went to Australia as an exchange student for half a year, which was a great experience for me. After school I decided to do a voluntary year in the US, which was actually the best year of my life.

I would love to travel around the whole world, but even sitting in the train, the bus or the car to drive to another city gives me the feeling of excitement!
After my year in the US nobody can take away my enthusiasm for hiking! Unforgettable moments of peace and quiet, beauty and joy.
Sport is my passion! I played soccer for many years. I am fascinated and in awe of the extraordinary skills that humans develop, the physical demands that athletes put themselves through and the success that comes to those whole dedicate years to one or very few goals. Passion is one of the key ingredients for becoming successful at anything in life. Whatever the goal may be, there will be setbacks and challenges along the way. If you do not love what you do, how can you possibly keep going when times get tough? A love for your sport is what keeps you going.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I love adventures and meeting people from all over the world and to listen to their stories. It’s always an enrichment for your life. In my opinion you never stop learning. Everyday is a new day to expand your knowledge. One thing that I've learned during the past years is that everyday is another step to come closer to the feeling of fulfilling your life, even if you sometimes have the feeling of failing or of going some steps back. It shapes you and sets you on a life path.

Interests

• movies
• reading
• traveling
• hiking
• backpacking
• sports
• soccer
• teaching
• exploring

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

The most amazing thing for myself was the decision I made after high school to do a voluntary year in the US. I was working with young people and I lead service projects, retreats, mission trips and much more. All the people, all that work, sweat and sleepless nights totally changed my life. It wasn’t easy. In fact it was probably one of the hardest things I’ve done, however, I would not change any minute of it. It is worth to serve others because what you give is what you get in return but 100 times better!!
I guess I expected to change a lot of peoples’ lives. In reality it is the people that have changed me. All the time working with the young people has made me a new person. And it’s not that I look totally different or act different. I still do crazy things, but it is the inside that has changed so much. The way I see things is different. I want to serve others!

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, England, France, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States