Holaaaa!

My name is Allison, and I'm currently studying abroad for a semester in a lovely town called Leon, in Northern Spain. Traveling has always been my biggest passion. Since I can remember, I have been throwing change into a jar to save up for my next plane ticket. I love exploring the world and making friends every place I visit. I'm a pretty big extrovert and will talk to anyone about anything. I really enjoy hearing about different cultures (sometimes even in languages I can't understand). I'm really into nature. I enjoy hiking, snorkeling, rafting, swimming, running - you name it. I prefer to be outside to inside most of the time, but every so often I'm a huge fan of sitting by the fire with hot chocolate and a book, or four. I am pretty fluent in Spanish after studying for five years and I hope to be the same in French one day. I'm also currently studying Italian just because I love the way it sounds and I love everything about Italian culture. I love animals, especially dogs and...wait for it...llamas. I'm interested in photography and art as well. I could spend hours in a museum if I was allowed.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

When I first started traveling, I did the hotel thing. I did the four star, all inclusive, chocolate on the pillows experience and I hated it. I never felt like I was getting the full experience of travel. So I switched to hostels. I fell in love with the way I got to meet so many people and experience the local culture in a much more rich and authentic way. I'm on couch surfing to learn - pure and simple. I'd like to learn about people and cultures and language as I travel my way across the world. I'm not on couch surfing just for a bed to sleep in. I'm on couch surfing to exchange stories and learn to cook and explore with locals and give back and lend a hand and make memories. I hope to make true connections with my future hosts and learn as much as I can. Eventually when I have my own flat, I will be offering my couch to pay it back!

Interests

Hiking, photography, karaoke, pizza, traveling, soccer, tennis, shopping, road trips, rock climbing, swimming, beaches, dancing, exploring new places, paddle boarding, music.

• animals
• arts
• photography
• dancing
• wine
• baking
• socializing
• hiking
• history
• tourism
• travel
• dance
• film
• water sports
• religions
• french
• spanish
• italian
• cooking and baking

Music, Movies, and Books

Eat, Pray, Love
All Over the Place
Wanderlust: A Love Affair with Five Continents
Harry Potter series

The Book of Life
Revenge of the Bridesmaids
Bridget Jones

I love all music. Please share your suggestions with me. I love to listen to music while baking, while drinking, and pretty much every other moment that I'm awake. Spanish and French music are my favorites but I'm always looking to expand.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I can't decide one so -

Swimming in the South China Sea at sunset

Standing on the top of Taipei 101

Zip lining through Mindo Cloud Forest in Ecuador

Seeing Wicked live in London

Teach, Learn, Share

I have been teaching English as a second language here in Spain to earn some cash to help me keep traveling. I'm more than willing to share my knowledge with any hosts who want to practice their English! I'm also fairly fluent in Spanish. I would love to learn bits of every language so I'd love to learn your favorite phrase/saying in your native language. I am not the best at cooking but I'm trying to become better so I would also love to help out in the kitchen to prepare a meal if the opportunity arose. Learning to make dinner in every country sounds like a brilliant bucket list item to me! As for sharing, I hope to share stories with my hosts. I'm a talker but I also love to listen. Tell me your craziest, truest, most life-changing stories.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I will one of the most eager and enthusiastic surfers you will host. I'd love to join you in whatever activity you've got in mind - a trip to a museum, an unofficial walking tour, making dinner, grabbing drinks. I'm on couch surfing to learn about other cultures and immerse myself. I'd like to really get to know my hosts and share whatever I can with them. I can share stories from my own travels as well as my mediocre ability to make chocolate chip cookies. Whichever you prefer.

Countries I’ve Visited

Belgium, Canada, Ecuador, France, Ireland, Mexico, Peru, Portugal, Spain, Taiwan, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Spain, United States