An undergraduate student from Singapore, currently living in France. (Un étudiant universitaire singapourien, vivant actuellement en France.)

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

At first, I had just joined Couchsurfing because I was in desperate need of a place to stay on one of my trips. But recently, I realised that that’s really just the tip of the iceberg.

I was going to be celebrating New Years in Munich, Germany, but my friend who was to accompany me suddenly had to return home. I was left alone with no plans - not the best way to end/start the year, right? So I took to Couchsurfing, where someone had created a New Years event. I joined the group and came to know that they were all either solo travelers or small groups of friends who, like me, hadn’t a clue how they were going to spend New Years.

And so it made perfect sense for this hotchpotch group of individuals - from all across the globe, who just happened to be in the same city at the same time - to come celebrate together. I met some really wonderful people and shared some unforgettable experiences. Even though I had just met them, I felt like I hadn’t been alone on New Years, for I was with friends.

That’s really why I’m on Couchsurfing now: to meet new, interesting, kinda and amazing people from all corners of the globe, and to create memories to last a lifetime. (Of course, a couch to crash on once in a while would be good, too!)

Interests

I love to eat new food, speak new languages, meet new people, and generally open myself to new experiences.

• culture
• lgbt rights
• indian food
• languages
• sign language
• language exchange
• learning languages
• dance
• foreign languages
• disability
• deaf culture
• asian food
• singapore
• broadway
• asian culture
• disney
• disney movies
• southeast asia

Music, Movies, and Books

I have the music taste of a 40 year old woman. So hit me up with some broadway and Disney classics!
Favourite singer: Celine Dion
Favourite movie: Lion King (or Sound of Music)
Favourite book: Little Women

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I’m a qualified Sign Language interpreter! I’m fluent in SgSL, ASL and IS, and am learning LSF now. (I was also in the Singapore Army for two years if that counts.)

Teach, Learn, Share

Personally, I think that the best teaching/learning moments happen when you least expect them. You’re grabbing a coffee and realise you share the same political beliefs (or you don’t - in which case you’re in for an interesting debate). His cat watches you in the toilet (as cats do), and you talk about pets for a while. Or you trip and fall and realise she’s a trained First Aider...who knows?!

I’m always open to conversations, being the extravert that I am. I’m ready to talk about - and more importantly, learn about - everything under the sun, from art, to politics, to languages, to food (definitely food). I think everyone has something to teach, even if they aren’t conscious of it. The mere fact that you’ve had a different life from me means I have something to learn from you.

As for what I have to offer... Well, as I said, I’m pretty much ready to share my ideas on anything, though they might not always be fully formed. I’m always up to tell you more about things I do know, like Singapore (and it’s culture, politics, etc.), racial issues, LGBT issues, disability issues, languages and so on. But I really don’t like one-sided conversations (they’re not really then conversations, are they?) and would want to hear what you think of these issues, too!

What I Can Share with Hosts

To an extent, I can offer what anyone on Couchsurfing can - a unique perspective on life and issues in society. I am pretty involved with issues like, as mentioned above, LGBT rights, disability rights and racial equality, and am always ready to...open people’s minds with regards to these. Singapore is also a fascinating place, and I’m more than happy to tell you of the wonders (and the things not so wonderful) that my little island has to offer!

I’d like to also think I’m a pretty good cook, especially with it comes to South/Southeast Asian (i.e. Indian or Singaporean) cuisine. So if you want to try some authentic spicy Asian food, just let me know! I don’t mind working on my holidays!

(Additionally, just generally, I’m a pretty chatty person, so hopefully another thing I’ll be able to bring to the table is making boredom a thing of the past! NB: I realised that this sounds like I never stop talking, oops! I promise I can!)

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bhutan, Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Singapore, Spain, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

France, Singapore