Ryan Koh's Photo

Verified Profile

  • Payment verified
  • Phone verified
  • Government ID not verified

Not Accepting Guests

  • Last login 9 months ago

Join Couchsurfing to see Ryan’s full profile.

Overview

  • 81 references 49 Confirmed & Positive
  • Fluent in Chinese, English, Malay; learning French, Spanish
  • 40, Male
  • Member since 2012
  • No occupation listed
  • University graduate
  • From Malaysia
  • Profile 100% complete

About Me

ABOUT ME

My idea of couchsurfing is simple and pure: GOODWILL! Couchsurfing is not about saving money on accommodation. It's about cultural exchange, meeting friends around the world, learning from each other, getting new perspectives and embracing diversities. I believe that compassion and kindness can exist without attachment to tangible gains. I also believe that humanity can be preserved in the process of "civilization". This is my idea of couchsurfing!

As a traveler myself, I understand how difficult it is to write a couch request while traveling but that shouldn't deter anyone from writing a personalized couch request. A personalized request is to ensure that you understand the person you are going to stay with. Again CS is not free booking.com.

In early 2013, I was tired of being a corporate rat, dealing with endless and meaningless corporate politics. Therefore I made one of the best decisions in my life to quit my job to spend a year on the road in South America. That turned out to be one of the best year in my life. I met many amazing and inspiring individuals and experienced things I could not imagine. That definitely impacted my vision of life in a meaningful way.

After a year on the road, I got an interesting job opportunity to live in Tunisia. I had an amazing 15 months living in Tunis. In August 2015, I officially moved to Dar Es Salaam.

In politics, I'm social-liberal and I'm clearly the opposite of the right-wing fanatics. To hardcore supporters of Tea Party, UKIP, Front Nationale in France or a die hard supporter of Donald Drumpf, the chances are we have nothing in common. Love, kindness and peace TRUMP hate, racism and bigotry.

If you're genuine, kind, honest and open-minded, let's couchsurf!!

PHILOSOPHY

The only measurement of success in life is happiness.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Started couch-surfing in Sep 2012 when I was traveling in Alaska. At the beginning, I was a little skeptical as I wondered why people were so nice. I, then, realized that there are just many genuine people out there who simply wanna extend their kindness to anyone, make new friends, experience different cultures etc. I find that very beautiful hence I started hosting decided at my apartment in Phoenix, AZ. It has been absolutely amazing!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I was hosted by many amazing Couchsurfers around the world and that prompted me to start hosting in early 2012. Both hosting and surfing experience have been amazing and I've never had a single bad experience.
In March 2013, I embarked on a one-year trip in South America. I have met many incredible Couchsurfers with very inspiring perspective of life and I learnt a lot. There are just so many intangible gains from CS.
To me personally, CS is the best avenue for culture exchange. I promise I will start hosting again once I settle at a place.

Interests

Traveling, backpacking, biking, meeting interesting inspiring people,

Music, Movies, and Books

Into the Wild, Che Guevara, The Motorcycle Diaries

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Well this is not exactly something I've done willingly but it was definitely something amazing I experienced. I was robbed in Medellin, Colombia when I was arriving at my host's place. I literally lost everything except my passport. You can imagine how devastating it was but amazing things happened after. I got helped from so many beautiful Colombians I barely knew. They gave me clothes, helped me with lodging police report, spent days shopping for things with me. There was so much humanity and it deeply touched my heart. I also learned to be very positive in any trying situations. It was a good life experience.

Teach, Learn, Share

Whatever I have to offer

Countries I’ve Visited

Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bolivia, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Indonesia, Iran, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Laos, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Qatar, Rwanda, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United States, Vatican City State, Venezuela, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Malaysia, Singapore, Tanzania, Tunisia, United States

Old School Badges

  • 6 Vouches

Join Couchsurfing to see Ryan’s full profile.

My Groups