CURRENT MISSION

Experience the big island of Hawaii

ABOUT ME

I have just finished serving with the Peace Corps in Togo, West Africa. For the past 3 years I lived in a Maritime village where I was the only American, ate corn paste every day with my hand, and took bucket showers. I worked with a cooperative to help them raise local bush rats and promoted the Moringa tree for improved family nutrition. Before that I spent my senior year of university in Bologna, Italy through a total immersion science student exchange program.

I have lived in North Carolina, Italy, Togo, Seattle, Montana, and the San Juan Islands.

PHILOSOPHY

I learned in Togo that finding meaning in life means balancing the desire to try and help other people with doing things to keep yourself happy. Sometimes these two goals intersect, but often they do not. I enjoy trying to help other people, but I also realize that I only have one life and I need to see places and do things I want to do during the time I am here.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I like to couch surf when I travel to meet cool people and see cool places.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I couch surfed a lot around Europe and in Italy when I was studying there in '09-'10. I was able to host once while living in Bologna and am looking forward to hosting more when (if?) I settle down in the future.

Interests

I like to run, read fantasy and science fiction books, dance, and travel. I also like to eat, a lot.

• arts
• books
• dancing
• running
• traveling
• art history
• history
• political science
• science

Music, Movies, and Books

Movies: The Big Lebowski, Rio, Garden State
Music: Belle and Sebastian, Massive Attack, Primal Scream, Nick Drake, A.C. Newman, the list goes on.
Books: Am currently reading Joe Abercrombies's 'Best Served Cold' and 'Due Diligence' by David Roodman

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I went on a field trip to the Aolian Islands north of Sicily on a Vulcanology field trip while I was studying in Italy where I got to see the regular explosions on the island of Stromboli at night. Looked like fireworks.

Teach, Learn, Share

I enjoy meeting and learning from people in very different fields from me. My current background is full of environmental science, Italian, and development work experience, so when I come across someone in, say, political science, accounting, or art history I find it very interesting.

Countries I’ve Visited

Belize, Denmark, France, Gambia, Germany, Netherlands, Senegal, Spain, Sweden, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Italy, Togo, United States

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