I am a current freshman at the University of Richmond. I am planning to major in Economics and International Studies. I am a graduate of the Mahindra United World College of India (my highschool in India). Leaving the studies part aside, I am also a bit of a foodie and love to try new cuisines. Although it is more complicated than just by religion, to keep things simple, let's just say that I am a vegetarian by religion. Quite strict one. However, I don't mind too much in trying new stuff.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

To make some nice friends in different places I go to (quite clichéd, I know :p ). Networking is surely a reason, but I also want to get some local perspectives on the place I am visiting. I want to know certain things which aren't easily visible through the eyes of a tourist. For example, after talking to my Goan hosts, I got to know about the religious strife present in this place which looks so jolly and happy from outside. That is the kind of perspectives I love to know, because they help me to live the experience in a better way.

Interests

During my two years at my high school, I had a lot of opportunities to hike around the mountains of Western Ghats. I also went on a mountaineering trip to Ladakh, India in 2015 and climbed a 6000 m mountain. It was an amazing experience! I went there as a sort-of student facilitator of a student led women empowerment programme called Kriya. When it comes to languages, my native language is Marwadi, a local language spoken in Western India. I am also fluent in English and Hindi. Currently I am learning Spanish and then I plan to learn French, Arabic, and Persian. Seems ambitious, but would try my best to learn all these languages!

I love to explore cities on foot by experiencing almost everything I can put my hands on, and I hate to spend too much money on just the travelling part. I try to take cheap, but reliable and adventurous, modes of transportation. However, I am still quite reserved when it comes to hitchhiking! Hopefully that would change.

• indian food
• traveling
• mountaineering
• history
• adventure travel
• budget travel
• sightseeing
• mountain biking
• adventure
• learning languages
• foodie
• explore
• hike

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I participated in a 100 km race, which consisted of mountain biking, hiking, and hiking while carrying your bike. I was in a team of three and we finished 2nd in the race. It was an extremely fun, and at the same time very scary, experience!

Teach, Learn, Share

I would love to learn how to cook some amazing dishes from different cuisines, learn a little bit of any foreign language, some history of the place I am staying in, and some amazing stories about past experiences. In return, I could teach a little bit of conversational Hindi and a few dishes from Northern India!

What I Can Share with Hosts

I could share some great Indian snacks and other food and some stories from my past experiences

Countries I’ve Visited

United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

India, United States