CURRENT MISSION

Don't panic!

ABOUT ME

I'm a social worker and live in Vienna and love it there. I was born and raised in Styria, on the countryside, but right now city life suits me better.

I have the luxury of being paid to study, Gender Studies, that gives me time for travelling and enjoying myself.
My lovely wife Iris (https://www.couchsurfing.com/people/iris-zens) is my favourite partner in crime, since we've met we were hosting again and again, but also travelling as much as possible. She is also a Social Worker.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I like surfing to get a non-guidebook view of my destinations. People who offer their couch are usually smart, interesting and think outside the box. These are the two main reasons why I like to surf. I can elaborate on that.

Hosting happened after my first surfing experiences and worked out great for me. Of course surfing members of CS are interesting too. But when I'm going around Vienna or Austria with people who haven't seen either before, I tend to discover and rediscover things I usually wouldn't see.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

One of my best CS experiences was in Baja California. After arriving in Tijuana, I had some kind of a culture shock. Afraid, worried, I hardly left my hotel. Luckily, the next day Esteban invited me to stay at his place.

He helped me to relax, to get a feel for things done here, without this experience I'm not sure if I'd have been able to enjoy one of the most amazing countries in the World.

I surfed again and again at more exotic places, like Kosovo, Iran, Pakistan, to get this invitation in to private homes of local people is an adventure and experience you can not buy.

In Vienna I enjoy hosting if time let's me. I love my home town, I like to show it to guests and get to know their stories.

Interests

I'm busy participating in my neighbourhood and my city. I currently work part time as a social worker with delinquent youth. I try to not work too much, that I still have time for travelling.
I'm a cheerleader and referee for Vienna Roller Derby. I love this queer feminist sport, sometimes I put on some really tight pants and cheer them on with some friends.

Yeah, and trains are awesome.

• culture
• education
• traveling
• surfing
• cheerleading
• teaching
• social work
• feminism
• roller derby
• lgbtq

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Crossing the border between Serbia and Kosovo during riots was scary, but I thought as long as Eurolines buses are going, I can take the risk. Nonetheless, I'll never forget this tension.

In 2013 I did the "Hippie Trail" from Vienna to India overland. I think that was pretty amazing.

Living in a landlocked country it's always a great moment when you arrive at the sea. I especially love windy north sea or I'll never forget standing on Benbecula/Scotland and experiencing the wind, the waves and a tiny little bit of sun. But still, I should have taken off my glasses, because a wave hit me in the face and so I was almost blind for the rest of the trip.

Teach, Learn, Share

Well, I can talk about trains. A lot. :)

But I'm also working in sexual education and HIV prevention, so there's a lot to discuss. Or maybe you just want to take a few pictures with my strange work tools. :D

Countries I’ve Visited

Albania, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Mexico, Moldova, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Poland, Romania, Russian Federation, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, Uzbekistan, Vatican City State

Countries I’ve Lived In

Austria, Czech Republic

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