Hello! My name is Ashley and I want to explore the world! I studied social work and international affairs with the plan that I would one day work abroad, and that plan hasn't changed too much. I was an AmeriCorps member at an immigrant rights and advocacy organization in Seattle, which taught me a lot about the immigration process in the U.S., and now I'm a paralegal at an immigration law firm. I also just finished my first quarter at the University of Washington where I study public administration. When I'm not working or at school, I spend a lot of my time volunteering at local film festivals and theatres. I'm excited to meet you!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Long story short, I am going to be in NYC from 12/26/18-1/5/19. I was planning on staying at an Airbnb but the trip is in four days and the host hasn't contacted me yet, so I'm looking for another place to stay. I want to couchsurf so I can connect with people who can show me all the city has to offer.

Interests

Travelling (duh), volunteering, reading, advocating for immigrant rights, helping people apply for citizenship, movies, film festivals, plays, spoken word, etc. I'm basically a professional arts supporter.

• pets
• arts
• books
• festivals
• film festivals
• dining
• running
• movies
• reading
• traveling
• spoken word
• law
• social work
• volunteering

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: Jakubi, Raury, Maiah Manser, Urban Cone, Oh Wonder, On and On, Big Scary, XYLO, Smokey Brights, Kyle, Watsky, K.Flay, Yuna, Seye, Kimbra, Acceptance, Oddisee, Geographer, and most likely whatever you recommend.

Movies: Mediterranea, Nasty Baby, Room, Victoria, The Boss, Anatomy of a Crime, Not All Is Vigil, The 33, Upstairs Inferno, The Glamour & The Squalor, Short Term 12, The Music Never Stopped, The Maiden Heist.

Books: One Amazing Thing, Book of Unknown Americans, Loteria, All the Light We Cannot See, The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared, The Beautiful Things That Heaven Bears, and too many others to name. Basically anything that teaches me something new.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

In 2012 I spent ten weeks travelling around New England in a bright red van with three great humans to teach middle, high school, and college students and community members about the longest-running conflict in Africa and what they could do to stop it. It was so amazing that I did it again in 2013 with three more great humans in the Southeastern U.S.

I also pet a cheetah and an elephant in Kenya. That was pretty amazing too.

Teach, Learn, Share

I would love to teach you about immigration in the U.S. and how rewarding it is to help someone become a U.S. citizen. I can also recommend books/movies/plays for most interests, and I want to hear your recommendations too!

I'm definitely looking to see things beyond the typical tourist sites, and I'd love for you to share your favorite parts of your city with me.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Good food and great conversation-the best things to share!

Countries I’ve Visited

Belgium, China, Ecuador, England, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Kenya, Mexico, Netherlands, Spain, United Arab Emirates

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States