CURRENT MISSION

Take a moment to stop and realize, "If this isn't living, I don't know what is!" - Kurt Vonnegut

ABOUT ME

HI! My name is Brett, and I am a 24 year old who hails from the North East United States from the beautiful state of Vermont. I am easygoing, open, and love to meet new people! Ever since I visited Spain when I was 16, I've had a strong desire to return to the country to live as a member of society rather than a tourist. After spending 4 years in the east of Canada studying History and Spanish, I decided to keep the international experiences rolling, and now I am currently living in Sevilla as a bilingual assistant in English for students between the ages of 3 - 8. Last year, I continued my position in Santander, and this year I have been taking part in my last year in Bilbao! I am a VERY big fan of the outdoors. I spent 6 weeks of my past summer driving coast to coast in the U.S. , visiting as many National Parks as I could manage. After such an epic roadtrip, I wish to continue my travelling here in Europe to broaden my appreciation of different cultures, views, and concepts. I am an incredibly social person, and I feel that personal experiences and dialogues are the best way to learn about where people come from and how it has shaped them. I also enjoy sharing my experiences and culture from Vermont with others as I travel. I am in incredibly easygoing person, and though couches are comfortable, a small area of floor space would be fine for me! I look forward to meeting all of you in the near future!

PHILOSOPHY

My personal philosophy, at this moment in my life, is to appreciate the little things. Whether it is a grand trip around Europe or the daily routine of walking your dog, big or small, take a second to appreciate how these things affect your overall mood. They may only last a second or minute, they may be a quick conversation or a great view, but they often hold a lot bigger rewards than we give them credit. Take the time to stop, look around, and appreciate where you are; “If this isn’t the life, I don’t know what is!” I guarantee it will give you a new perspective on your surroundings, and you r life as well.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I try to supply whatever resources I can to allow for people to have a safe, smooth, cheap excursion here in Bilbao!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

So far, I have been couchsurfing for the past three years, and it has been an absolutely amazing experience. A bit skeptical at first, I was blown away by how well the system worked! I have had amazing hosts, and I have had a great time getting to know each host I have stayed with. I really enjoy the dinners I have with my host! You drop the "host/couchsurfer" relationship and instead share moments as friends, and I love how comfortable it can be! Perhaps one of my favorite moments, having dinner with a great host, and afterwards, topping it all of with wine and scrabble, a game that he was quite fond of (He travelled the U.S. the year before on bike, playing scrabble at every venue he stopped at!). Needless to say, I lost terribly!

Interests

ANYTHING OUTDOORS! In my home state of Vermont, everything is green and mountainous, and for this reason outdoors sports dominate the landscape. Hiking, Camping, and Frisbee Golf (an excuse to walk through the woods) are some of my main hobbies back home, as well as fishing and kayaking. Here in Europe, I have really enjoyed getting more involved with photography, and Europe's incredible architecture has supplied a great venue for me. I have also had a great time exploring the art scene here in Europe, and I always enjoy checking out new museums. My favorite artist, PICASSO!

• dogs
• arts
• culture
• architecture
• photography
• wine
• beer
• instructor
• walking
• traveling
• outdoor activities
• cycling
• fishing
• hiking
• kayaking
• camping
• sports
• golf
• teaching
• history
• parks

Music, Movies, and Books

Music, as it is to many others, is very important to me, but I would never try to put a label on my favorites. Pearl Jam to Stevie Wonder, 2Pac to Bach, no reason to like just one. As for books, I have always been a fan of the early 20th century American authors, including Steinbeck and Hemingway. I also really appreciate the dark, biting pessimism of Kurt Vonnegut Jr. My favorite book would have to be Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky, and if you have never read the Russian authors (Tolstoy – War and Peace), I highly recommend them. As for Movies, it’s the same as Music, Stepbrothers to Shawshank Redemption, gotta keep the horizons broad and open. Good movies are good movies.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

***6 week roadtrip around the U.S, beginning in Boston, stretching as far out as Washington State and the Northern California Coast. Then, down through California and back through the 4 corner states (Arizona , Colorado, Utah ,New Mexico), hiking and camping all the way through. It was by far the best trip of my life!

**Studying in Eastern Canada - The Maritimes, a collection of provinces on the east coast, was an amazing place to study. I learned a tremendous amount about their way of life, and was able to spend time with amazing people from all over the world at my small liberal arts school. The people of the Maritimes are some of the most amazing, hospitable, and friendly people I have ever met. If you want to experience true Canadian spirit, you have to visit!

*Teaching students in another language! Working as a bilingual instructor has been an incredibly humbling experience here in Sevilla. It has also made me realize you can accomplish things you never thought you could when you give yourself the chance (and the patience!)

Teach, Learn, Share

Well, as for things I may be able to teach, I am currently a English teacher who speaks more Spanish in his classes than anything else. I can teach you whatever you would like to know in Spanish, whether it be serious, or something as simple as "Do Ma Cerveza" (2 more beers! haha). Andalucia has a thick accent, and I can help teach you the right way to say things so you'll blend right in!