CURRENT MISSION

Studying economics without starting to think like an economist.

ABOUT ME

Hola, Hello and Hallo,
Since you landed on my page, it's time to introduce myself.
I'm Philipp.

In May '11 I fall in love with couchsurfing. A friend and I went on an Interrail tour through the southwest of Europe and the hospitality we experienced was inspiring.
I just returned from Nicaragua, where I did volunteer work for a NGO. It was by far the best experience of my life, I lived a year in this beautiful country and leave many friends and a new family behind.

I am very interested in other cultures and love to meet people from all over the world. In 2008 I went abroad to study in Canada for a year, an experience I don't want to miss.
Besides that I am passionate about music, sports, photography and politics. I do enjoy jogging, at least as long as it's sunny and warm outside ;)
That should do it for now, but as you fellow couchsurfers know, the best way to get to know people is go up and talk to them. So if you have anything on your mind shoot me a message and I will answer. Promise :)

PHILOSOPHY

"Happiness is only real when shared"
Perfectly sums up whats important in life. Also "Into the Wild" is a great movie, so watch it if you havent already :)

*** Update :)
The above text is already a few years old (I joined couchsurfing in 2010), but it's such a fun documentation of what I was up to back then. Most of it is actually still pretty accurate, but just to give you the latest: I now live in Amsterdam together with my fiance, where I do a PhD in development economics. Doing a PhD gives me the chance to meet a lot of inspiring people that are actively trying to improve peoples lives and get us closer to a more equal world and a world without poverty. It's a huge privilege to be in contact with so many changemakers and think about what works, what doesn't and why. I'm actually using couchsurfing now a lot when I go to conferences so I will definitely be in the mood for some extended discussions about sustainable development, inequality, poverty etc. etc. etc...

I still love traveling (and can now sometimes combine it with work projects) and went on a four month backpacking trip through East Africa in the end of 2017. The experience was eye-opening, it set me straight on a lot of (unconscious?) stereotypes. I'd love to chat with you about those travels (who doesn't like to brag about all the places (s)he has been ;) ) and hear about what you have to share.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I have some experience being a "long-term surfer" since I stayed with a host family in Canada for a year and did the same in Nicaragua.

Through couchsurfing I made some great people that I would have never met by staying in my student / university bubble. I now live in Amsterdam and have had the opportunity to host a few times as well.

Interests

I love trying new things and I am very easily thrilled by any kind of outdoor activity. Regularly I play guitar, soccer and tenis, I love going out with friends, go clubbing or just chill out at a nice place near a river with a cold beer.

• photography
• beer
• clubbing
• politics
• volunteer work
• socializing
• music
• guitar
• outdoor activities
• surfing
• scuba diving
• sports
• soccer
• swimming
• world cup
• economics
• volunteering

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Observing the sunrise on the San Cristobal, the highest volcano of Nicaragua.
The warmth and openness of people in Portugal.
Building a quinzhee at minus 40° in Canada.
The atmosphere during the World Cup 2006 in Germany.
Diving at night on Little Corn Island and swimming through a sky of crazy bioluminescence.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Greece, Italy, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Canada, Germany, Nicaragua

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