Hey fellow travel buds! The name's Janjani, but you can call me JJ. I'm an Indonesian Sundanese guy with a severe case of wanderlust.

Travel is like oxygen to me 💨 - throw me on a hiking trail, in the chaos of a bustling city, or surrounded by peaceful nature and I'm one happy dude. Volunteering is also really important as I go, as giving back to local communities just feels right.🤝🏻

You'll usually find me with my camera in hand when I'm out exploring, indulging my photographer geekiness. There's just something special about freezing those amazing travel moments, you know what I mean?

I'm a total language nerd too. Currently French 🇫🇷 and Korean 🇰🇷 are my lingualicious obsessions, as learning languages helps me connect deeper with the cultures I encounter. Speaking of Korea, I actually spent nearly a year there in my 3rd year at IPB University on an exchange program in 2020. That cultural immersion left me craving more!

After graduating from IPB, I'm just stoked to keep experiencing everything this wild, beautiful world has to offer. Who's up for trading some epic travel stories over a coffee or tea? The adventure continues, my friends!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

This platform is a total gamechanger for connecting with kindred travel spirits from around the world. As someone with a mega case of wanderlust, being able to link up with others who share that insatiable thirst for adventure is golden.

But it goes way deeper than that. I'm an advocate for true cultural exchange - the kind where you get to fully immerse in the local perspective and way of life. Couchsurfing provides that window into authentic experiences you just can't get anywhere else.

Case in point? My very first Couchsurfing trip to South Korea. It was life-changing. I got to go so far off the beaten path, forge real bonds with locals, and create lasting memories I'll cherish forever. Total magic.

As a language enthusiast, I also love how Couchsurfing allows me to practice my linguistic skills with native speakers. There's no better way to bridge cultures than through language exchange.

But at its core, Couchsurfing is about weaving an incredible global network of friends and travel buds. Having that expansive web of people to reconnect with everywhere I go? Priceless. Not to mention the endless potential for new shared adventures!

Couchsurfing has been an integral part of making my travel dreams come alive. I can't wait to see where the journey leads next.

Interests

Culture Immersion - Forming genuine connections with locals by trading stories, traditions and uncovering the rich histories and forgotten lores of new places. Fully immersing in the cultures I encounter is endlessly fascinating.

Photography 📷 - With my trusty mirrorless camera by my side, I've found a creative outlet in artfully capturing those epic, once-in-a-lifetime travel moments that words can't describe.

Mental Health Advocacy - Working with my friend in our field's research, I'm passionate about raising awareness and deepening the understanding of this critical but overlooked issue through our work.

Whether swapping stories with locals, framing up cultures through my lens, or pushing for change in mental health - every new interest is a chance to expand my perspective.

• animals
• photography
• meditation
• traveling
• language exchange
• volunteering
• public health
• vipassana
• cultural exchange
• foreign languages
• mental health
• global health
• financial literacy

Music, Movies, and Books

When someone asks about my music taste, it's complicated - in the best way possible. I savor any and every genre, no matter what country it's from or what language they're singing in. Variety is the spice of life for this playlist!

Right now I'm on a mission to curate the ultimate global tunage. So far I've got playlists spanning Indonesia (of course), Russia, The Netherlands, China, South Korea, Japan, Ukraine, Italy, France, and more. The list keeps growing as I meet incredible music lovers everywhere I go.

For movies, I'm a diehard One Piece fanatic through and through - I can ramble about the series and films for hours. I'm also a bit of a thriller/horror movie nerd with a soft spot for mind-bending mystery and detective plots. Call me a nature geek, but I'm equally entranced by a good Nat Geo documentary on animals.

In the book realm, my all-time favorites have been the classic Sherlock Holmes tales and the epic manga adventure One Piece. While not an avid reader per se, I've found my fix through listening to audiobooks during travel days. That full immersion into a story is just chef's kiss.

So whether I'm getting cultured through music, losing myself in a film, or becoming enraptured by a literary odyssey through my headphones - I'm a firm believer that every art form is a window into the wonders of our world.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

2019: Completed a transformative 10-day Vipassana Meditation Course, which undoubtedly left a profound impact on my journey of self-discovery.

2020: Embarked on an unforgettable solo travel adventure in South Korea, a testament to my love for exploring new cultures and places independently.

2021: Conquered the exhilarating Via Ferrata at Parang Mountain in Purwakarta, showcasing my passion for adventure and thrill-seeking. Also lived on a ferry for 4 days traveling from the eastern part of Indonesia to Jakarta.

2022: Mastered the art of surfing in Kuta and embraced the depths of freediving in Amed, Bali, as I continue to push my boundaries in the world of water sports.

2023: Graduated from university and published my very first research paper, marking the start of an exciting new chapter.

Each year brings new incredible experiences to add to the adventure. The journey continues with more amazingness awaiting on the horizon!

Teach, Learn, Share

Sharing the vibrant tapestry of my Sundanese culture with others is one of my greatest joys. Whether it's diving into the intricacies of our traditions, whipping up some savory home cuisine, or recounting epic folk tales - introducing people to the richness of where I'm from lights me up.

At the same time, I'm an eager student of the world around me. Absorbing new cultures, histories, and languages is endlessly fascinating and enriching. It's a vital part of my travel journey, as connecting with different perspectives and ways of life expands my own worldview.

More than anything though, I'm happiest when I can share the joy and fulfillment I discover in my adventures with others. Whether it's trading travel tales, offering local tips, or just a warm smile exchanged with a new friend - spreading that happiness is a universal language that needs no translation. It's what life's all about for me.

What I Can Share with Hosts

First off, I'm a super easygoing surfer who respects house rules and brings an open, appreciative mindset toward experiencing your unique culture. You can count on me to be a considerate, low-maintenance addition to your home.

One talent I'd love to share is my cooking skills, especially when it comes to whipping up tasty traditional Indonesian dishes. Whether it's firing up a hearty Mie Goreng or serving up a mouth-watering plate of Nasi Goreng, I'm happy to give you a delicious taste of my culinary culture.

But more than anything, what I really want to share is happiness and good vibes. I'm a firm believer that laughter is contagious and few things create bonding moments like quality time filled with warmth and joy. My goal is for us to create lasting memories together!

So besides keeping a tidy space, you can expect amazing home-cooked meals and infectious positive energy from this surfer. I'll bring the good times if you provide the awesome host experience!

Countries I’ve Lived In

Indonesia, South Korea