(Update July 2024: heading back to Iran for the 3rd time yooo!)

My name is Boryan, but my friends and family call me Sharky. I am a resident doctor in Taipei; just finished two years of GP training, and I’m now specializing in emergency medicine.

I played the electric bass in college, edited films for several school projects, and currently trying to be better at off-road motorbiking. No matter it’s crazy partying, discussion of philosophy, or simply hanging out— I’m happy to partake as long as I get to encounter new people and know what they think!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

My couch held me at gunpoint, said it wanted to go surfing, so here we are! :D

Seriously though, I’ve met some of the most intriguing humans here. It’s good to wander off the track with locals and experience the unexpected. Hoping to form some genuine connections & friendship with people!

Interests

• film making
• japanese food
• music
• rock music
• hiking
• history
• films

Music, Movies, and Books

MUSIC: Mostly metal/alternative when I was a teenager (yes I’ve been through that angsty stage don’t judge me lol), very into stoner rock; now I listen to hiphop, house, techno, afrobeat, and occasionally experimental stuff. Hey but I could still easily lip-sync to Lady Gaga hits, or impress you at pop karaoke no problem at all haha.

FILMS: Big fan of horror & comedies, but I watch art house cinema too. Favorite films: La Haine, Shaun of the Dead, Bladerunner 2049, Y Tu Mamá También; favorite directors: Edward Yang, Stanley Kubrick, Robert Eggers. Trying to watch more Iranian films recently!

SERIES: Currently watching the new season of Donald Glover’s Atlanta! Some other shows I love are What We Do in the Shadows & Bojack Horseman.

BOOKS: Reading ‘Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance’ on this trip :)

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Arrested by the police in Tehran.

Teach, Learn, Share

I can teach you how to swear like a proper Taiwanese! In return, I wanna learn to deliver the cheesiest pick up lines in your language lol.

Slowly learning how to cook some Taiwanese cuisine, might take forever. :P If you make food for me, I will happily devour it even if you’re trying out a new recipe. I’m basically down to learn anything you want to teach me!

Always glad to learn about your culture, talk politics, or listen to your philosophy. I can share with you the culture, history, & politics of Taiwan, also the fine art of choosing the right boba tea🧋 ; teach you how to use chopsticks, play Mahjong, play the bass, and ride a motorbike (but not all 4 at the same time, it’s illegal to be THAT badass).

What I Can Share with Hosts

All kinds of stories: from my travels, surviving 6yrs of med school, off-road motorbiking, and weird-ass experiences growing up in Taipei.

My off-beat sense of humor, pseudo-intellectual philosophy on life, and sophisticated taste (according to one of my ex lol) in music & cinema.

And ofc, helping out with chores or buying groceries.

Countries I’ve Visited

China, Denmark, England, Faroe Islands, France, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar, Northern Ireland, Norway, Portugal, Scotland, Sweden, Thailand, Turkey, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Taiwan