[UPDATE, January 2024] I moved to the US to pursue PhD as a Fulbright scholar here at Virginia Tech in Jan 2021, so hopefully this year will be my last. I wish to keep surfing, hosting, and meeting up with CS-ers wherever I am. I live here with mu husband, Ahmed, who used to live in Mesa (AZ).

Back home in Indonesia, I quite lived like a nomad throughout 5 provinces and 10+ regions across Sumatra and Java island due to my parent's job, studies, and all. I was lucky enough to partake in a couple of exchange programs abroad: Erasmus+ in ZagrebU, Croatia (2015-2016) and IbarakiU, Japan (2014) and worked in a few international projects for a little over 2 years. I would simply describe myself as an open-minded, liberal, practicing Muslim. It simply means that I am an ally to all types of respectful humankind (both ones of my own and not: LGBTQ+, any other minor/underappreciated races, cultures, you name it!), since differences though can be complex yet undoubtedly gorgeous in each own way. Hence I love to talk about (literally) anything with anyone. Some might get alarmed by my hijab lol cannot blame them for that, it is solely an expression of a commitment; I guess it is up to you to figure out anyone's loving and intriguing side, really.

For reference to check whether I am a real person or not haha (jokes aside, I 100% believe it's essential to do in CS!), you shall jump into Facebook (/beldinlov13), Linkedin (/belladinilovely), or even Fulbright Indonesia official page (https://www.aminef.or.id/belladini-lovely). And yes, I'm aware I got a strange name haha.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Aside from my craving for global experiences, I am here to get to know deeper about life diversity and that feeling of the delight of making friends. CS is like, a true embodiment of how I dream and picture generations ahead of mine: fewer borders, more exposures.

Interests

Animals. Drawing (manga, portrait, caricature)/painting (a complete amateur lol http://beldinlov13.deviantart.com/). Chelsea FC (I still can't call it "soccer"... sorry, Americans!). Badminton. Taekwondo. YouTube. Manga/anime. Games (Kingdom Heart franchise is an all-time pick). And of course, science! (I majored in Agroindustrial Engineering for my bachelor's and Master's before now PhD in Sustainable Materials, very interested in nanotechnology, polymer, and bio-waste)

Music, Movies, and Books

Any genres of music (Specifically Jason Mraz, idk why I've been obsessed with his songs since I was a child. I stan KPop too, no... not BTS, a multi-stan, but especially my girlies LOONA). For movies, preferably gore/thriller, but more of a YouTube (and anime from time to time) than movie/TV person. I only read manga and classics like Thomas Hardy's.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Traveled to 28 countries by far, including solo-backpacker-ed to 16 all across Europe plus a couple of others in South East and East Asia with the tightest budget I have ever imagined lol. Top 3 places where I teared up, ugly-cried in: Stamford Bridge, Asakusa Temple, and holy Makkah.

Life mission: to be a professor who teaches and/or research 'til I part ways with life; never stop traveling in my spare time; and adopt as many kids and pets as possible.

Teach, Learn, Share

Our culture, hobbies, local/personal habits/behaviors, laughter, stories and memories. I wish to make you eager to visit my paradise-like country, Indonesia (which is more than only the tiny Bali lol). Here few glances of provinces I might stick around:

- West Sumatera, my hometown and where my ethnic (Minangkabau) originates from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUSSSz3EPwM&t=34s
- West Java, more metropolitan/developed and reach-able, where I pursued studies in university and living alone when I was 15-26 years old after moving out from parents' house in Riau: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2D0VTOa8-M
- Riau, former Malay reign, where the younger me grew up: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIZHB8KyA40
- North Sumatera, another blissful diamond of Sumatera, where I was born: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHJMlo43GBg
- and of course, Jakarta, but it is boring lol

What I Can Share with Hosts

I'd love to bring you something typical Indonesian, draw you, cook for you, wash your dishes, share my unconditional love for your cats, dogs, or any pets, hmm what else you name it! Likewise for my guests or meet-up couchsurfers!

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Cambodia, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Croatia, Indonesia, United States