CURRENT MISSION

Learning how to make my Mandarin more Mandarin.

ABOUT ME

The name's Karl, and I'm from the US. In a nutshell, my passion is languages. While in school, I always thought I wasn't that great at languages, but found at, environment is everything.

In my first internship at Welsh television company, which also happened to be my first experience out of the country at all, I was completely fascinated by being immersed in an environment which felt like an entirely different world. From that point on, I kept moving around the world chasing language after language.

Now, a few countries later, I'm a student here in Taipei, learning Mandarin, hoping to eventually make it my profession.

But, I also feel language isn't limited just to written and spoken communication. I'm definitely a big enthusiast of appreciating art and trying my hand in art in all forms, from playing the piano to getting lukewarm "oh's" when showing people my horrible sketches.

In sum, I'm just addicted to learning.

PHILOSOPHY

I love British gameshows. And real cheese. The letters 'I' and 'J'. Peppermint tea. Languages that make you spit. And interesting sound effects.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Unfortunately, I do rent a place where I can't host visitors for the foreseeable future. When I do have a place, I'm definitely open to hosting and returning what the CouchSurfing community as given me.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I've couchsurfed a few times in Europe, and spent a lot of time with the Cardiff CS community, and a tiny bit with the Korean CSers. I haven't had the opportunity to meet up with the Taipei CS Crew.

Interests

It's all been mentioned: Languages (Current Language of Choice: Mandarin/Japanese/Taiwanese, in that order), Films, Television Production, Film photography, Getting lost. Interesting Foods. Small bottles of wine. Metal rice bowls.

(My username is Welsh for 'King of the Swans', btw)

• arts
• photography
• environment
• wine
• cheese
• movies
• guitar
• piano
• languages

Music, Movies, and Books

Film-wise, I love anything really clever. I have always loved classic films, but I notice a different style of comedy each time I watch them again.

It's really hard for me to explain my music tastes, because it's more of a 'on a song-by-song basis' rather than genres or artists. But in the classical side, Chopin is my favo(u)rite along with Philip Glass (is he classical?). More modern: Yann Tiersen. And tons of cheesy pop as well, that I'll never admit in public. Arctic Monkeys, I'm ashamed to admit I love.

Books. I'll admit that I'm a victim of popular lit, and especially detective and crime books. Maybe you'd like to try reading Sarah Vowell. She's a hilarious writer, and more importantly she has a lisp. I can't read fiction on my own, due to my restlessness - but thanks to the advent of audio books I can finally feel like a kid being read to again.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Fiddling with my accordion and being able to clear an entire room of 10 people within 30 seconds. That's a skill.

...and so many places I call home around the world...

Teach, Learn, Share

I think I could help out any beginner with a few languages that I learned in detail from Mandarin, Korean, Welsh, or Japanese. Also, perhaps if some patient soul is willing to help me learn guitar, I could help someone learn how to play the piano.

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