I'm a native Austinite who has been to 34 countries since 2008! I studied archaeology, anthropology and Classics in college which is how I first started traveling. I've worked on archaeological projects in Albania, Italy and Sweden and traveled most extensively in central and eastern Europe. I backpacked solo for six week stretches for four years in a row following field work abroad.

I worked for a couple of years after graduate school as a private traveling tutor for a firm based in the United Kingdom, which led me to work in diverse places including California, New York, Michigan and South Africa for months at a time.

I now live and work back in my hometown of Austin where I'm constantly seeking out live music, hanging out at local breweries with my dog or hiking the greenbelt. I love exploring new places, near and far, and exploring all nature has to offer before its too late!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I like to travel as much like a local and as little like a tourist as possible, so staying with local residents is exactly what I'm looking for!

When traveling abroad, I often found myself among individuals and friends who couchsurfed - from Denmark to the Czech Republic to right here at home in Austin. It also seems like new friends I make during the annual international music festival in town, South by Southwest, are always couchsurfers, too!

Couchsurfers always seem to be like-minded folks and the type of people I get along with, so I'm finally ready to take the plunge and couchsurf myself. Let's be friends!

Interests

I am extremely interested in marine biology and nature more broadly. I love exploring nature and especially spending time on hikes or in the water. I recently earned my scuba diving certification and can't wait to get more immersions under my belt!

• dogs
• photography
• music festivals
• festivals
• education
• gardening
• reading
• traveling
• music
• live music
• hiking
• scuba diving
• snorkeling
• travel
• nature
• learning languages
• reading books
• archaeology
• learning new things
• exploring
• indie music
• outdoors
• harry potter
• learning
• exploring new places
• indie rock
• exploring nature
• nature walks
• trying new things
• vinyl records
• nature conservation

Music, Movies, and Books

I hate making lists, but here are the heavy hitters as of late!

Music: Tigers Jaw, Oso Oso, Jimmy Eat World, LCD Soundsystem, Stereolab, TOPS, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Hall and Oates, Parliament, James Brown, Earth Wind and Fire, George Clinton, Manchester Orchestra, Fela Kuti, Turnover, Mild High Club, Homeshake, Cloud Nothings, St. Vincent, Mr Twin Sister, Robyn, Lizzo, Toro y Moi, Empress Of, PUP, Best Coast, CHVRCHES, Sorority Noise, Brand New, Still Corners, B52s, Jason Isbell, Hush Moss, Death from Above 1979, Jonsi, Father John Misty, anything yacht rock, Willie Nelson

TV: Archer, X Files, Futurama, Parks and Recreation, King of the Hill, Mandalorian, The Haunting of Hill House, The Magicians, Altered Carbon, An Idiot Abroad, Extras, Planet Earth, iZombie, Veronica Mars, Watchmen

Movies: Harry Potter, Cloverfield trilogy, Super 8, Sherlock Holmes, Lady Bird,

Podcasts: Last Podcast on the Left, Stuff They Don't Want You to Know, Stuff to Blow Your Mind

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I worked in northern Albania every summer for five years as a field archaeologist and as the head of the field museum. We surveyed farmland and mapped the entire area, collecting pottery and artifacts from all different time periods - prehistoric, Greek, Roman, Ottoman, Soviet and modern. We even discovered cave art that was previously undocumented in the region!

Teach, Learn, Share

I used to teach undergraduate courses in history, archaeology and art history at UT Austin. I also have extensive experience teaching English as a second language and as a private tutor for a range of subjects including test preparation, maths, advanced sciences and the humanities. Every day is a chance to learn something new and as a lifelong learner, I'm happy to share my knowledge at every turn!

What I Can Share with Hosts

Knowledge, English language tutoring, my experience and tips with traveling, cleaning / organizing / tidying, travel hacks and planning, photography tips, good conversation and great company!

Countries I’ve Visited

Albania, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Ecuador, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Kosovo, Macedonia, Mexico, Montenegro, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Saint Martin (French part), Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States, Virgin Islands, British, Virgin Islands, U.S.

Countries I’ve Lived In

South Africa, United States