An artist at the precipice of her life, Acacia recently graduated from Vassar College and moved to New York City with her girlfriend and dog. In school, she majored in International Studies with an emphasis in Colonial History and Women and Queer Studies. She minored in Film, creating and showing multiple films during her time there.

Acacia was born in Kansas but moved all over the Midwest including Oklahoma, Michigan, Missouri, and Arkansas growing up before moving to New York for school.

Acacia is passionate about social activism, focusing primarily on LGBTQ+ and other social justice issues. Her favorite thing to read is queer theory. She is currently working on a paper about queerness in the NBC show The Good Place which she hopes to publish in the upcoming year. She has also produced films on similar topics including her film My Queer Questions.

One of Acacia’s greatest passions in life is travel. She has been to over 40 US states and 11 countries on 5 continents. This includes a study abroad program which traveled to Nepal, Jordan, and Chile studying human rights and grassroots organizations. During her time abroad she created a photo series centered around mental health and travel called #Imstilldepressedhere on Instagram. One of her many goals in life is to live out loud, because she believes authenticity is how she will create positive change in the world. This is why she is vocal about disability, queerness, and mental health on social media and on her website, https://acaciawillis.wordpress.com.

Acacia is currently training to become an intimacy coordinator for film, and plans on joining the New York City Mayor’s Office PA Training Program in December. At home, she is a partial nudist. Her dreams are to be the Sole Survivor 3 times, direct several A list films, travel to every country, compete in The Amazing Race, raise a family with her partner, and create positive change in the world.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Because one of the best and most important parts of traveling is meeting new people, learning new things, and having experiences you couldn't at home.

Interests

• arts
• theater
• film making
• dancing
• swing dancing
• hiking
• backpacking
• swimming
• history
• queer
• intersectional feminism

Music, Movies, and Books

Favorite Book: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin
Current Music Obsession: Dirty Computer by Janelle Monáe
Favorite Movie: The Imitation Game (2014)
Favorite Show: The Good Place

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Drinking clean mountain water straight from the stream in Southern Chile.

Teach, Learn, Share

I know a lot about film, queer theory, and I can teach you to ice skate. I'm happy to take photos of you and good to make one of my family recipes.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I would love to cook a meal for/with you! I can cook a ton of different stuff, but if you want something I grew up with I can cook fried chicken, Spanish rice, pancakes, or a cheesecake. I'm also happy to spend an evening talking or enjoying a good film. Always enjoy a good glass of wine and great conversations. If I have my camera, I would also love to take photos!

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Jamaica, Jordan, Nepal, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Chile, Jordan, Nepal, United States