Hey! I'm Asad from Islamabad, Pakistan, where I lived for 18 years until I moved to the US 4 years ago to attend college in Upstate New York. I just graduated this May and am now working as a software engineer at a startup that is democratizing affiliate marketing! Two years ago, I had the opportunity to spend a semester abroad in Singapore and attended cultural exchanges which got me hooked on learning about food traditions. Following up on that and my experience with Japanese tea ceremony in college, I backpacked through Japan this year to learn more about the relationship between Buddhist philosophy and various Japanese food traditions. I'm thrilled to be living in NYC now and looking forward to all the adventures it has to offer!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I love the Japanese idiom Ichi-go ichi-e, which describes the significance of each meeting as a once in a lifetime event. I believe in Couchsurfing as a way to facilitate meeting people, exchanging culture, and sharing experiences that are truly once in a lifetime.

Interests

I'm an adventurous eater who's always down for food adventures; I recently tried balut at Queen's night market, and I love finding cheap and authentic eats in the city!

• theater
• photography
• coffee
• video games
• kayaking
• whitewater rafting
• rock climbing
• food
• tea
• ice climbing
• cultural exchange
• musicals
• orchestra

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Because one isn't enough 😁

Won 13 Broadway lotteries (ask how!)
Been on the front page of Forbes (ask why!)
Met Nobel Laureates and Fields Medalists while representing Pakistan at a conference (ask where!)

Countries I’ve Visited

Japan, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

Pakistan, Singapore, United States