I grew up and went to school in a small neighbourhood called Bristnall, just outside Oldbury, near Birmingham. My parents are from Wales. I studied Professional Sound Engineering and then went onto work for a world famous audio company making audio mixing consoles used in live gigs. I left and ended up in IT which is where I am now working for a well known blue chip company. If you search Stefan Smith and Birmingham in linkedin, you can see what I do :)

I am single, and live alone with no pets. I like to be involved in some way in my local community so I volunteer from time to time too.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I have to travel to Sheffield approximately 3 times a month. I just need a place to get my head down, no cooking or showers required! I can even bring my own sleeping bag to save washing sheets :) I don't have much opportunity to go out and meet people as my stay is so brief, but couch-surfing would allow me to start building up a small network in Sheffield and I can get to know the place much better, and besides, I like meeting people!
Also willing to accommodate some people in my spare room on occasion too.

Interests

• film festivals
• human rights
• social action
• vegetarian
• organic food
• meditation
• volunteer work
• electronic music
• cycling
• hiking
• economics
• neuroscience
• social science
• house music
• different cultures
• techno
• djing
• veganism
• computer games
• renewable energy
• international politics
• pyschology
• art festivals

Music, Movies, and Books

I don't have 'favorites' but have notables such as...
Gangbusters - Ernest Volkman
Sapiens - Yuval Noah Harari
Black Box Thinking - Matt Syed
Star Wars (of course)
Lord of the Rings (of course)
80's/90's action / horror movies
Anything by Adam Curtis or John Pilger

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Amazing, really does have to mean amazing, erm, so the closest thing has to be a 10-day Vipassana meditation retreat, which was the most challenging thing I've done.

Teach, Learn, Share

Lots of experience in IT Service Management environment
Know my way around most audio gear, can DJ and am familiar with some music making programs
I'm all about simplifying things in life, so can give advice on that
I'm interested in productivity and self-management and can share my tips
Laughs
I'm into unusual and interesting films and documentaries so can share those!
Good local knowledge
Know about niche and interesting events to go to
I'm a decent cook!

What I Can Share with Hosts

How is this box different to the above? ;)

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Croatia, France, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, United States, Viet Nam