Hello! I am from Scarborough (Toronto), ON. I'm adventurous and open-minded. I studied Social Sciences at the University of Toronto (Social/Cultural Anthropology; Migration Studies). I am of mixed-race ethnicity and love learning about other people's backgrounds, family traditions, and cultures.

I am a working professional with a background in non-profit, social services, social justice, and education. I plan on eventually returning to school to pursue social work, global health, law, or a related field.

Social causes dear to me: environmental issues, human rights, anti-racism, harm reduction, affordable housing, public transit, and food security.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I love meeting new people, travel, art, learning about new cultures, cooking, baseball/softball/slo-pitch, volleyball, badminton, hiking, and trying new things.

Although I am currently a working professional, I maintain a "student on a budget" mentality, and opt for a low-maintenance lifestyle.

Interests

• pets
• wildlife
• motorcycles
• flowers
• hiking
• beaches
• mountains
• social justice
• botanical gardens
• libraries
• gardens
• sunsets and sunrises
• public transit

Music, Movies, and Books

Stars, The Beatles, Yes, Bob Marley, Walk The Moon.

Detachment (2015), The Departed (2006), Short Term 12 (2013), Daydream Nation (2010), Freedom Writers (2007), The Lovely Bones (2009), Mamma Mia (2008), An American in Paris (1951), West Side Story (1961), Chicago (2002).

The Poisonwood Bible, The Kite Runner, Perks of Being a Wall Flower, National Geographic magazines, ethnographic work/anthropological writing.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Swam in Lake Superior, the world's largest freshwater body of water. A very cold experience, even during the Canadian summer.

Teach, Learn, Share

I can debate about Canadian Law, Canadian, North American, and global politics, health, health care, wellness and healing issues.

I can cook (and improvise well with diverse produce, unique ingredients, and substitutes when needed), teach family recipes, produce simple baked goods, and talk about food from a social science perspective.

I can teach beginner French, all levels of English, the Cyrillic alphabet, and beginner piano.

I am TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) certified.

I volunteer for causes and events I find interesting. Examples of recent volunteer engagements: Fall Harvest Festival NDG (Montreal), Franco Festival (Thunder Bay), Evergreen Centre at Yonge Street Mission (Toronto), and Progress Place's community kitchen (Toronto).

What I Can Share with Hosts

I can teach beginner French, all levels of English, the Cyrillic alphabet, and beginner piano.

I can cook many vegetarian dishes, and am well-versed in meal prepping with fruits or vegetables commonly found in Ontarian or Québecois fridges.

I am happy to care and co-exist with pets - with most of my experience being with cats, rats and snakes.

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, France, India, Jamaica, Japan, Moldova, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Canada, France, India