Hello future friends and world travelers!

Just a little about myself - I am originally from the Washington D.C. area and moved to San Francisco this fall to start my PhD in immunology. Before starting school again, I decided on taking a couple of months off to travel across the United States and backpack Europe.

I caught the travel bug in high school and I found it infectious. I wanted to see more of what was outside of my hometown. You realize that the world is much bigger than where you grew up and that there are many people out there that have their own stories to share. I travel to learn.

Life is short and the world is large - explore it.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Couchsurfing is a great way to exchange stories and share experiences with one another. I enjoy getting to know a city from a local's perspective and am always curious about cultural exchange - it is hands down the best way to get to know the city and learn about. What I find most fulfilling about traveling are the people you meet along the way, the engaging conversations about anything and everything, and the adventures you share. Though I am new to Couchsurfing, I've heard the community here embraces this kind of philosophy - and that's what makes me most excited about traveling.

Interests

Sports: into road biking (though I would love to try mountain biking), running, soccer, and recently have been obsessed with rock climbing/bouldering

Music: piano and saxophone! I minored in music when I was in college.

Photography: into documenting what I do by snapping pictures and taking videos.

Science: this one's a given, especially since I'm going to graduate school for immunology.

• dogs
• culture
• photography
• running
• reading
• traveling
• bouldering
• music
• cycling
• hiking
• rock climbing
• soccer
• biology
• science
• travel
• game of thrones

Music, Movies, and Books

Absolutely love everything music related, but my favorite genres are jazz, r&b, hip-hop, indie, funk, and soul.

I'm the type of person that will watch anything. As horrible as a movie can be, my curiosity takes over because it needs to know what happens in the end.

I'll be taking The Brother Karamazov by Dostoyevsky with me on my trip throughout Europe.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

In the summer of 2013, I biked across the United States and cycled over 4000 miles from Baltimore, Maryland to San Francisco, California - all in the name of cancer.

Teach, Learn, Share

I can teach you how to read music. I can teach you about immune regulation. I can teach you how to ride a bike.

All about learning, so I'm all ears and am always down to try new things.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I'm always willing to share my stories and time with you. And I take pretty awesome selfies.

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, France, Germany, Iceland, Mexico, Monaco, Philippines, Spain, Thailand, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States