Hello, I'm Aliza - an arts and crafts enthusiast, avid reader, occasional writer, and novice soccer player. I love travel as a way to get to know new people and places and learn their stories. I try to keep my life simple but rich in friends and good food and abundant in kindness. Leave people and places better than how you found them :)

I'm originally from the US's midwest (Michigan, Minnesota, and Chicago), but I spent the last two years in Beijing, China, where I was getting my master's degree in China Studies at Peking University. I just moved back to the States at the end of the summer, and I'm getting settled into life on the west coast!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Traveling becomes so much better when you have a local to give you tips, recommendations, and help you get your footing! Whether I'm hosting or being hosted, I think this is the best way to share experiences.

Interests

• books
• diy
• traveling
• hiking
• art
• aerial silks

Music, Movies, and Books

Books - Too many that I've loved for lots of different reasons! Most recently I've been reeling over the beauty and elaborate worlds within David Mitchell's Cloud Atlas.
Music - There's a song for me in every genre, but the ones I listen to most are indie, shoegaze, sometimes dreampop type stuff
Movies - Phoenix might be my fave for it's modern Hitchcock-esque twists

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Worked on projects in Chicago to reform the city's criminal justice system, from jail reform to police reform!

Teach, Learn, Share

Arts and crafts - "upcycling" old materials into new!
Cooking delish vegetarian meals
How to do the "zero waste" lifestyle imperfectly

What I Can Share with Hosts

A positive and enthusiastic, open-minded attitude
Goofy stories about living in China as a foreigner
Tips on visiting China or the US
Good cooking and/or cocktails :)

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, China, France, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, Taiwan, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

China, France, United States