Hey! We’re Nicola (21) and Edoardo (22) from Italy. We met studying Economics at Bocconi in Milan where we recently graduated. Milan, with its rich history and vibrant culture, has been our home and comfort zone, but we’ve always been up for the next adventure.
We both have a deep love for traveling, exploring new places, and immersing ourselves in different cultures: we love being on the move, camping with a tent, watching wildlife, getting lost in new neighborhoods, and learning from the people we meet. We love cooking (we make the best tagliatelle!) and we always trade recipes, bringing a taste of Italy with us.
Nicola has just come back from an exchange in Singapore and Edoardo from one in Beijing. Those months abroad shaped us, personally and academically. They helped us see how daily life works across Asia and Europe and made us comfortable crossing cultures, acting as a bridge between East and West. We’ve learned to read the room, adapt quickly, and appreciate differences for what they are: a strength.
Giving back matters to us. In Milan we volunteer at RAB, a local bar that supports people with Down syndrome through creative, community events. Recently, we spent four weeks in Uganda as part of a humanitarian aid mission, working directly with disadvantaged communities. Being there taught us to listen first, value small wins, and recognize the privileges of our Western life. It made us more open, patient, and empathetic.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Right now we are working remotely from Milan, but staying still isn’t our style. We’re excited to meet new people, share stories, and create meaningful memories. Because algorithms show you the world as it is already filtered; couches show you the world before the filter. We’re currently in the making of a startup that helps travelers live more local, authentic experiences; and the best lab we can imagine is a real kitchen table somewhere we’ve never been, hearing stories an airline magazine would never print.
Couchsurfing feels like the perfect match: real people, real homes, real connections. Every stay teaches us something, and we try to keep learning, growing, giving back.

Feel free to reach out, we can’t wait to start this new adventure!

See you soon,
Nicola and Edo

Interests

• environment
• chess
• reading
• traveling
• socializing
• music
• rock music
• hiking
• backpacking
• camping
• scuba diving
• sailing
• sports
• business
• economics
• entrepreneurship
• history
• philosophy
• volunteering
• road trips
• food
• nature
• sea
• good food
• national parks
• street food
• conversation
• exploring
• stand up comedy
• sharing
• studying
• networking
• artificial intelligence
• curiosity
• hidden gems
• rockclimbing
• social development
• global affairs
• circular economy

Music, Movies, and Books

Cinema is our weekly habit. Whether it’s a tiny arthouse in Milan or an open‑air screen in a new city, we’ll show up with popcorn and probably too many opinions. It's always hard to choose, but our favorite directors include Lynch, the Coen brothers, Almodóvar, Kubrick, Fellini, and Woody Allen. They always give us something to talk about on the way home.

Music is just as present. Edoardo plays guitar and used to produce electronic tracks, so our playlists wander a bit. On the experimental electronic side we’re into Aphex Twin, Fredagain, okgiorgio or Dardust (and we won’t say no to a good house/techno night). For rock and progressive rock we go from early Pink Floyd and Radiohead to Placebo, Dire Straits, Genesis, The Pixies to Muse. On the U.S. rap front you’ll hear Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, Post Malone and a bit of PoloG on repeat. If there’s a live gig nearby, we try to make it, and we’re always up for swapping playlists or putting on a low‑key home set while cooking.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Last summer we spent four weeks in Jinja, Uganda, volunteering with Ripples of Hope through Workaway. Our days were a mix of laptops and hard hats: we showed teachers how to use free AI tools for lesson planning, tutored students after class, and worked with the team on fundraising, mapping potential donors and reworking outreach materials. We also mixed concrete, patched walls, and repainted a room that will become the computer lab, picking up practical tips from local builders along the way.

Evenings were simple and good: cooking together, swapping recipes, and talking about school, work, and everyday life. It felt like a real exchange, sharing skills and stories, learning on both sides and it left us a bit more grounded, open, and connected.

On a personal level, that month slowed us down in the best way. We learned to listen first, to work with what’s available, and to ask for help when we need it. Jinja helped us understand ourselves a little better and the kind of people we want to be.

Teach, Learn, Share

We cofounded Tele Bianche, a pop‑up “paint & sip” that turns blank canvases into a relaxed group activity - no talent test, just colors, music, and a good mood. We’ve hosted sessions in parks, bars, and hotels, and it’s been fun seeing strangers paint together and often leave as friends.

Beyond that, we’re happy to show how to make fresh pasta from scratch, go for a sailing class, or give a beginner crash course in guitar or basic music production. We’re curious about everyday stuff too: how you brew your morning coffee, the way your town celebrates, the shortcut through the hills, the childhood game everyone knows but no one writes down. Each place teaches us things you don’t find in books, and those habits and hidden gems also help us get closer to your family and your traditions. In return, we bring a moka pot, some handmade playlists (SOLO BONA MUSICA), and plenty of curiosity.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Think of us as two extra housemates who chip in, keep things neat, and add a dash of Italy to the day. We love turning an everyday dinner into a mini-culture class, chatting about regional recipes, and explaining why every Italian has an opinion on "al dente". We’ll happily swap language tips and invite you to teach us a few phrases in your own tongue: accents, idioms, hand gestures included.

Beyond the kitchen, we’re curious storytellers. Ask us about life in Milan, studying in Asia, traveling Europe or volunteering in Africa, and we’ll trade those tales for your local legends, music playlists, or hidden-gem hiking routes. We’re also handy with everyday chores: grocery runs, plant-watering, dog walks, kid homework.

Most of all, we try to leave every place brighter than we found it: good vibes, good conversations, fresh pasta, and a genuine bridge between our world and yours.

Countries I’ve Visited

Albania, Austria, Belgium, Cambodia, China, Czech Republic, Egypt, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Kosovo, Laos, Latvia, Lithuania, Macao, Malaysia, Malta, Montenegro, Morocco, Netherlands, Philippines, Portugal, Serbia, Singapore, Switzerland, Thailand, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

China, Italy, Singapore, Uganda