Mark Pickering's Photo

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Overview

  • 15 references 6 Confirmed & Positive
  • Fluent in English, French, Spanish; learning French, Spanish
  • 35, Male
  • Member since 2010
  • Graduate taking a year to travel before starting a PhD (U...
  • University College London
  • From London, England, United Kingdom
  • Profile 95% complete

About Me

CURRENT MISSION

My only mission in life is to keep learning

ABOUT ME

I've recently moved back to London after spending time living in Geneva, Oxford, Buenos Aires and Santiago. I like to learn about, explore and live in other cultures, and now that I'm back, I'm particularly interested in maintaining my French and Spanish. From July I'll be moving to the Italian Alps - so it would be nice to start learning Italian also! I might not be able to host (and would prefer to meet first) but I'm happy to give a tour (especially if I get to practice another language).

In Argentina and Chile I was teaching English. Since then, I've spent the last few years completing my PhD based in Oxford, but with 3 years spent in Geneva. Now I'm working in science policy for the next few months before moving to a new adventure in Italy this summer.

PHILOSOPHY

There is no meaning to life other than that which you give it yourself. As long as it doesn't adversely affect others you should live free and do as you please.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I have met many wonderful people through CouchSurfing and I can even claim to have taught a few people some English! I have been a member several years using it on and off, mainly to go to weekly meet ups and for language exchanges. I like to think my couchsurfing journey is still in its infancy!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I have had the pleasure to enjoy a huge variety of events such as language exchanges, protests, BBQs, camping trips, international food nights, and the people I have met through these experiences.

Interests

Learning about the lives and experiences of others. Everyone has a story or motive to travel. I am currently very interested in maintaining my Spanish and French now that I'm back in the UK.

Needless to say, travelling is a big interest of mine. In my life so far, all the time I have not been studying I have been travelling or saving up for my next backpacking experience. I am also interested in science and nature.

  • dining
  • traveling
  • backpacking
  • camping
  • science
  • language exchange
  • french
  • spanish
  • learning spanish
  • french language

Music, Movies, and Books

I love to learn and experience the music, cinema, literature and culture of other countries and would like to meet people who can show me examples from their countries.
Examples of UK music that I love includes Pink Floyd, The Rolling Stones, Radiohead, The Stone Roses, The Smiths, The Libertines... The books of Oscar Wilde, Dawkins, Aldous Huxley, Orwell... and movies such as Trainspotting, Clockwork Orange, This Is England, and anything by Monty Python...

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

The waterfalls of Niagara and Iguazu!

Teach, Learn, Share

I would love to impart my knowledge of English. I've spent time traveling and teaching English in schools in Argentina and Chile! I also have a PhD ( bonus points if you can guess the field). I enjoy sharing my way of life, and hope to learn about that of others as well!

Countries I’ve Lived In

Argentina, Canada, Chile, France, Switzerland

Old School Badges

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