Hobbies

Sports

I enjoy a wide range of sports – even if I sometimes have to push myself to get started. Once I do, it clears my mind, and the sense of accomplishment afterwards makes it more than worth it. That’s why I regularly go to the gym to stay healthy and fit. For a few years, I trained partner acrobatics quite intensively and still love every spontaneous session that comes up. I also enjoy playing volleyball; with beach volleyball being even better. At the beginning of 2025, during my research stay in the U.S., I discovered pickleball. I had never heard of it before, but instantly fell in love with the sport, especially combined with the spring and early summer weather in Virginia.

Traveling & Hiking

Hiking is one of the most enjoyable and memorable things for me, especially when it’s combined with traveling and exploring beautiful nature. Some of the most beautiful hikes I’ve done recently were in Zion National Park in Utah, the Everglades in Florida, and at Königssee in Bavaria. Zion National Park is definitely a place I long to return to. It’s perfect for simply enjoying nature. I visited in summer with temperatures around 40°C, but thanks to the low humidity, I actually enjoyed the heat, even though the hikes were quite exhausting. Resting (as you can see in the picture) can be just as enjoyable as hiking. The most exciting hike was a wet walk with my legs deep in the Everglades (as proven in the picture). It was a completely different experience, but absolutely worth it. I probably wouldn’t have dared without a guide, who warned us about the alligators so we could safely pass them and thankfully only see them from a distance. My most memorable hike, however, was the one overlooking the stunning Königssee, because that’s when I got engaged. Still, even smaller hikes are a lot of fun, especially when I’m with friends and discovering beautiful landscapes. It’s even better when we’re rewarded with breathtaking views like the ones in Shenandoah National Park in Virginia (as shown in the mountain-top picture).

Creative Time

If I find the time and the right mindset, I love getting creative and expressing myself in different ways – from capturing nature through photography to making homemade sushi in the kitchen. I especially enjoy sewing and developing concepts for my projects beforehand. I also regularly experiment with new ideas and materials. That’s how I ended up creating a “sleeping” clay flower pot (the picture explains it better than words). Even simple balcony gardening helps me unwind. Most importantly, all of these projects leave me with something tangible and satisfying that I can continue to enjoy long after the creative process itself is over.