I'm a graduate student in the United States. I study English Literature with a focus on Shakespeare. I've been doing dissertation research in Europe for the past year. I'm a pretty laid back person, I enjoy traveling, meeting new people, seeing new places. I'm a terrible cook, but otherwise easy to be around.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I've really come to appreciate all the times that random strangers have shown me kindness by allowing me to stay with them. Once I get home from this year abroad, I would like to be able to do the same for others and meet new people by hosting them.

Interests

I'm a big reader because, well, that is my job. In my free time, I like to hike and explore the outdoors. I enjoying going out for drinks or wandering around whatever city I happen to be in (I haven't lived in the countryside, so I'm not sure what that's like). I do know a bit about the theater, and I like going to plays. Hmm.. I like cats? Is that an interest? I have one, and I love her to pieces. I like long conversations. And lazy weekends, and I play a mean game of badminton.

• cats
• humanities
• literature
• theater
• cooking
• wine
• beer
• drinking
• traveling
• outdoor activities
• hiking
• badminton

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: Vampire Weekend, The National, Passion Pit, Robin and the Backstabbers, Lana del Rey, The Great Northern, Leonard Cohen, Of Monsters and Men, Madonna, U2, Lorde, The Lumineers, Icona Pop, Hozier, Fleetwood Mac, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Fleet Foxes, Ben Howard, Air Review, Beirut, Beyonce, Jessie Ware, etc. It just goes on. I also like jazz, and blues, listen to a fair bit of classical, opera.

Books: I'd love to talk to you about books, but I can't come up with a list because I work with books full time and that would be like choosing a favorite child. I work with really old books (16th and 17th century), but I've read a lot of contemporary literature and I enjoy anything from Haruki Murakami to John Donne. The last thing I read for fun was Michel Houellebecq's Soumission.

Movies: I will watch anything once, but I do have a soft spot for indie and art house. I just saw San Andreas (not impressed but the special effects were interesting),and last night I rewatched La Grande Bellezza, which is one of my favorites.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Translated an 18th century Romanian epic into English

Teach, Learn, Share

I can teach you some English and Romanian. I teach English full-time and I enjoy doing so. I can also teach you how to make beet borscht! It's the one recipe I truly excel in :) I can uh... give advice about applying to masters or PhD programs in the humanities or studying in the United States. I've also lived in NYC for a long time and I know the city very well, so if you are planning to visit, I'd be happy to give you some tips or host you (I live about an hour and a half away now).

What I Can Share with Hosts

My everlasting gratitude. A beer or two or a bottle of wine. An invitation to come stay with me in the future. Help around the kitchen or with chores (but I need directions - see terrible cook part above).

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, Hungary, Romania, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Hungary, Romania, United States